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Gleaning Hope

Ruth is the middle name of my wife Carrie, given in honor of her grandmother Ruth Giboney, a godly woman who was short in stature but mighty in influence. Ruth raised eight kids and left a wonderful legacy of faithful service to others that reaches now to the fourth...

Reset

In my younger days, I worked as a computer programmer. While this did not pan out as my life’s calling, I still learned some technical skills that have proven useful. As a result, I am sometimes called upon for help when a family member’s digital device is acting up....

The Value of Sneetches

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 For the past month, our sermon series has paired children’s books with some of Paul’s teachings and exhortations from Ephesians 4. Of course, in...

How Can I Help

In the aftermath of the massively destructive Palisade and Eaton fires (among others), many have been asking, “How can I help?” In today’s article, I’d like to share a variety of opportunities to give. This is neither an exhaustive nor exclusive list. However, these...

Learning Christ

“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way…” – Edgar Guest There are some things in this world that you can learn from a book or a video. For example, I have successfully prepared some complicated dishes...

A Fresh Start

“You were taught to put away your former way of life… and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds… created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 As we begin the new year, you may be among those who are setting goals,...

Make Room for Wonder

There is something about the passing of years that dulls our capacity for wonder. Some might call it a loss of naiveté or a healthy dose of realism. However, I would suggest that somewhere between childhood and adulthood we may lose far more than we bargained for. For...

Mercy Remembered: A Poem for Advent

Hidden lurks a cancer cell, multiplying maliciously, avoiding detection Hidden lurks the terrorist, plotting lethal carnage in devotion to his twisted cause Hidden lurks desire, germinating insidiously, begetting sin and death But gifts hidden may also lie, stowed in...

Keeping Faith Supple

Stories of underdogs have long fired my imagination. From the Biblical classic “David and Goliath” to Cervantes’ “Man of La Mancha”, I love stories of great courage against impossible odds. I suppose that in my heart of hearts I want to be an idealist.  I want to...

The Advent Paradox

“The future ain’t what it used to be.”  – Yogi Berra  Advent is a season of yearning for the fulfillment of God’s promises, ultimately at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Advent means “arrival, coming” and marks God’s coming into our midst, first through the birth...