Here’s how to become one of God’s favorites…

 Here’s my Sunday column from today’s (June 7) Champaign-Urbana News-Gazette:In the middle of my 4th grade year, my dad got transferred. We moved in mid-January to a new town I had never seen. Suddenly, I got introduced to the experience of grief and loss.  I just didn’t know what it was that I was experiencing. ContinueContinue reading “Here’s how to become one of God’s favorites…”

You don’t just reap what you sow…

Galatians 6:7-97 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.—–One of my friends who has gone through a hard time lately and I were talkingContinueContinue reading “You don’t just reap what you sow…”

As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people

Living in a spirit of harmony, gratitude, and forgiveness takes practice.  Why not practice saying what Pope Francis more than once has suggested to help strengthen the family:  “May I?”, “Thank you,” and “Pardon me.”  … Not rocket science, friends.  So, which attitude do you need to focus on today? And what steps can youContinueContinue reading “As far as it depends on you, live at peace with all people”

The Apostle Paul’s graduation speech

Paul spent 3 years in Ephesus, church planting, training and doing a lot of lecturing at the Lecture Hall of Tyrannus… Here’s how Luke records some of what happened on Paul’s third missionary journey around 52 A.D.Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the KingdomContinueContinue reading “The Apostle Paul’s graduation speech”

I don’t think I’m this bad, but some people who know me well may beg to differ!

Yes indeed, both my daughter and I made the Sunday Comics in one of my favorite cartoons … “Dilbert.”My tech-savvy daughter Maddie is “Dilbert” in the glasses;  And sigh, I am the pointy-haired boss!  (Maddie, thanks in advance for more patience and help when I need it … ah, probably later today! Pleeaase, I’ll beContinueContinue reading “I don’t think I’m this bad, but some people who know me well may beg to differ!”

Only one way ultimately to recognize God’s voice…

The shepherd of the sheep . . . calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. . . . He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. . . . I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. . . . My sheepContinueContinue reading “Only one way ultimately to recognize God’s voice…”