Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the LORD had predicted through Moses. — Exodus 9:35 (NIV)I just did a quick calculation and if I'm right, my heart has beat more than 3 billion times since I was born. I have a strong heart, a stout heart, a ... Continue reading
Boot camp
September 11, 2024 By Leave a Comment
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the ... Continue reading
Unanswered questions
September 10, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Mac Sledge: I don't know why I wandered out to this part of Texas drunk, and you took me in and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, married me. Why? Why did that happen? Is there a reason that happened? And Sonny's daddy died in the war, my daughter killed in an automobile accident. ... Continue reading
When everything changes
August 16, 2024 By 2 Comments
Allison: Everything looks the same here. Nothing's changed, don't you think?Bill: No, Ally, I don't. It all looks different to me. I don't hardly recognize it any more.Stillwater, 2021There are moments in life when it feels like the earth tilts, when something so radical happens that ... Continue reading
What’s your credit score?
August 8, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Faith was credited to Abraham for righteousness.... He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. —Romans 4:9b,20 (CSB)I'm old enough to remember taking my ... Continue reading
Remembering is hard
July 15, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Today was my son's 44th birthday. In all those years we never missed a chance to gather around the table, to eat favorite foods and to celebrate the gift of another year together. But this year was different, because he's gone, forever. No new memories. No new adventures. His voice has been stilled. ... Continue reading
Inside out
June 28, 2024 By Leave a Comment
The sirens began wailing a little after 8pm, warning the community that conditions were ripe for tornadoes. It was a first for me. It made me a bit nervous. The house was already trembling from high winds, rain was blowing sideways, and it was full dark outside. Then the lights went out.The ... Continue reading
(Mis)understanding God
June 22, 2024 By Leave a Comment
Peter and the other disciple left immediately for the tomb. They ran, neck and neck. The other disciple got to the tomb first, outrunning Peter. Stooping to look in, he saw the pieces of linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in. Simon Peter arrived after him, entered the tomb, observed the linen ... Continue reading
