GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT In my younger days I worked for the US Soil Conservation Service. One of my tasks was to check on the stands of perennial grasses in recently planted fields that were part of the Conservation Reserve Program. Since one tract consisted of about eleven square miles, I used a three-wheeler… Read More »Counterintuitive Healing Read More

In an age before the camera hung from many a neck, the portrait painter and sculptor were the means by which a person’s image was preserved. Such artists sought to capture the essential element or the vital characteristic of their subjects. Those who painted or sculpted Martin Luther often portrayed him with the Bible. Lucas… Read More »The Reformation: To Be Continued Read More

The inspired psalmist wrote that “the heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1) From Genesis 1 we know that God created two great heavenly lights, as well as other lights to “be for signs and seasons, for days and years.” (Genesis 1:14) Good reason then for us to consider the moons, even as the… Read More »Heavenly Moon Signs Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT There was an old Lay’s commercial that challenged, “Bet you can’t eat just one.” The implied message was that their potato chips were so good that eating just one was impossible. You had to have more. Apart from potato chips, David understood the wisdom that one is not enough. We… Read More »One Is Not Enough Read More

Today the term patriot is used rather loosely. It has been applied to those who give their lives in defense of their country and also to those who protest against and seek to change the very foundation upon which this country was founded. So what is patriotism? Mr. Webster defined it as “love of one’s… Read More »The Double Patriot Read More

‘To the max,’ ‘pedal to the metal,’ and ‘nothing in reserve’ are several more slang terms that express a total commitment to a cause or undertaking. If one were to poll Americans as to what that means for them in connection with their Thanksgiving Day activities, no doubt many would answer they were ‘going all… Read More »‘Going All In’ with Thanksgiving Read More

An almost palatable taste of hope was in the air. Much had been promised and much was expected–at least by the faithful. The elements of success had been carefully brought together. People waited with bated breath. Finally, the winning shot went home and the team held on for ultimate victory. The USA hockey team had… Read More »Do You Believe In Miracles? Read More

Abigail is an outstanding example of a beautiful, intelligent, God-fearing woman and wife who remained loyal to her husband for better or worse. Summer traditionally is a time for weddings, joyous in their circumstance and hopeful in their outlook. But soon the reality of sin surfaces, even to the point of comment, “Oh, the people… Read More »Oh, the People Some People Marry Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “Going all in” is a phrase commonly used by poker players. With a short stack of chips, the player bets them all in a somewhat desperate attempt to win the pot. In other words, he commits everything to stay in the game. The Old Testament Hebrews lived in a time… Read More »Going Awl In Read More

It seems that people of most every culture enjoy a good contest and/or an award. Every year in our country we have Miss America and Mrs. America contests. There is the ‘Man of the Year,’ ‘Woman of the Year,’ and Person of the Decade. Various voters choose the Best Picture and Most Valuable Player. Surely… Read More »And the Winners Are… Read More

Who among us would deny that Hezekiah was a man of prayer? We recall two incidents in Hezekiah’s life that were made memorable by answered prayer. In both cases the answer was clear and immediate. When Sennacherib of Assyria threatened Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem with destruction, reviled the Lord God of Judah, and… Read More »Lord, Save My Son! Read More

“The shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.'” — Luke 2:15b Already in September I saw Christmas items on display. I knew then that the countdown of shopping days left would soon begin. If the… Read More »How Far Is It To Christmas? Read More

GOD’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE It is not unusual for our Tulip and me to enjoy the backyard together. I sip my morning cuppa while gazing at the flowers; our pet cat watches the birds. Even when it’s raining, an assortment of winged neighbors are prone to gather there–some for insects and worms, pigeons for seeds, and an… Read More »Of Ravens, Lilies, and God’s Providence Read More

It is certainly true that without miracles there can be no Christian Church, no saving faith, no redemption, no life. Foundational are the miracles of incarnation, resurrection and sanctification. Following these are a host of other miracles—all meant to be purposeful and instructive. The miracles done by Jesus are described as “signs and wonders.” They… Read More »When Ax Heads Float Read More

In this world we can expect tribulation. So Jesus informed all His followers. As the world seeks to celebrate Mother’s Day with flowers and sweet candy, we remember that troubles and bitter sorrow also come with the job. Blessed are all godly mothers who bear their cross with faithful patience. If we were to ask, ‘Who… Read More »Two Mothers Beneath the Cross Read More

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Although I saw some as a kid, I never wished upon a shooting star. Probably because I never saw the movie Pinocchio and heard the song therein. Neither did my parents ever talk about the old myth of so wishing. If anything, we talked about how King Solomon was given… Read More »Elisha’s First Request and Last Miracle Read More

Who would not like to see or experience a no-sham, no-scam miracle? Or even perform one? This longing seems to be part of our human nature. Pharaoh, the unbelieving Jews, and Herod all wanted to see some great sign, and Simon the sorcerer was willing to pay money to be able to exercise the power… Read More »The Age of Miracles Read More

Mark Twain once opined that “soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run.” The world chuckled, but not Solomon. “A wise man will hear and increase learning. . . . But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:5,7). Our Lord Jesus was no fool,… Read More »Christ’s Education And Ours Read More

“Politics is the art of compromise.” Thus politicians and pundits advise that the way things get done is through compromise. No one gets everything they want, but both sides get something. Compromise is necessary and good for the country, it is said. Perhaps, but not always. The founding fathers compromised on the issue of slavery… Read More »The Great Uncompromiser Read More

Forged In Fire is the name of a current TV show. Several bladesmiths are given various hunks of steel, and each one is asked to forge and create a knife of his own design. Their blades are then tested for sharpness, strength, and durability, by which tests the field is narrowed to two finalists, who… Read More »Forged In Fire Read More