The story is told of the old days of slavery in the South about a zealous preacher who disdained the institution of slavery. Realizing what a powerful hold it had on the minds of his fellow southerners and that he had little power to change it, he instead determined to evangelize as many slaves as …
The Desire for Vindication
The human condition longs for vindication. We have an innate desire to be right. And when it is perceived that we are not right about something, yet we feel strongly that we are right, we get great satisfaction from subsequently being “vindicated” when it turns out, we were right. God desires vindication too! Do you …
The Bane of the Short-term
Years ago, when our children were still children, ranging from ages 6 to 17, my wife found a tiny little red and green rocker at a garage sale, I think it was. She bought it and brought it home and put it down in the basement family room. There it sat with no one to …
Arrogant Humility?
It is New Year’s Eve as I write this. In a few hours, the Michigan Football team will endeavor to defeat the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (I know…what a mascot name, right?) in a national championship semi-final playoff game. Both teams have had extraordinary seasons and while Michigan is a 7.5 point favorite going …
Nothing’s Stupid
My wife understands me better today than she ever has. I noticed a change in her many years ago as it pertained to my love of college football (especially University of Michigan football, but most all college football in general). She never could quite understand how I could invest so much interest, time, and passion …
Cherished Traditions
It is Christmas week. Your tree, if you are to have one, is probably up and decorated. For most, it has been up for a few weeks now. In our family for the past nearly 20 years, we have gone out to a tree farm in Howell the day after Thanksgiving and cut down a …
Sovereign Acts
I am reminded today that all my days are in God’s hands. Nothing penetrates my life without the hand of God planning and directing. I think of this in reading about King Ahab. He was the most wicked of all of Israel’s Kings. And I recall in this narrative that God keeps his word and …
Bambi on Rabies
Back in 1923, an Austrian author named Felix Salten, published a sweet coming of age novel about a tiny fawn named Bambi, who grew up to be a beloved leader of his herd. It was touching. It was full of virtue. It was uplifting. It was so charged with a touching storyline that Disney made …
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
What keeps you up at night? What is it that keeps you from drifting off to sleep in a timely fashion? We are only a few weeks away from Christmas as I write this. Many are busy planning their holiday schedule replete with festivities, fellowship, family gatherings, and sumptuous feasts. The house is all aglow …
Better Days (Flashback to 2017)
Some days are just better than others. I think we all realize that every day is not the same. Even if we are doing the same routine day after day, not every one of those days are as good as the next. Have you ever started some days and you just thought, “Oh, it is …
A Shepherd's Heart 