As Orphan Sunday approaches Nov. 6, 2011, a day where we remember children without a family. I am reminded of words spoken by the orphans. I must tell you, wise words sometimes come out of the mouths of babes. The plight of the orphan is near and dear to my heart. Two of my children are adopted, once orphans, without a mother or father to care fo ...

For those of you who were 80's kids, do you remember the old Garbage Pail Kids Collection Cards? You know those cards that mimicked the Cabbage Patch Kids, yet were about as detestable as they come. They took those sweet little Cabbage Patch Kids, which were intended to be cute and made them completely disgusting. When it comes to my speech, I ...

Everywhere I turn I see an appealing opportunity to make my self look better. My options are so numerous, it is like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet and being overwhelmed with all the choices. Everything in me says you deserve whatever you want , take it. So many inticing things are available, it almost seems too daunting of a task. I ...

write | dashboard | EasyBlog I was birding in West Palm Beach on a layover (yes, I know it's freezing in Michigan, but what was I supposed to do, stay inside?). I was at a little pond when I came across a bird that was standing on the shore with its wings stuck up in the air, looking for all the world like he was being robbed.  "Hey, buddy ...

Nursing LaughterSarah was ninety yearsold when the strangers cameto tell her husbandthat she would soon be with child.Maybe earlier that morning she caught a glimpse of her tangled white hair and thought of the bald babies she had never held.Maybe she long ago began taking her morning bath alone because she couldn’t bear to see the stretch marks t ...

As we start another new year, God in his wisdom has guided me to be studying Lamentations 3. We look for times to begin anew with making desired changes in our lives and often choose the beginning of the year. We have New Year resolutions that may include time in God’s word, organization, weight loss, exercise, and other improvements. But most o ...

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32 (NIV) I love walking in the woods and this last weekend was a beautif ...

Before you get too excited this is not about losing weight, sorry. Better yet, it is about how you and I view ourselves. If I were to be completely honest with you, sometimes I think that I am pretty great. Fortunately, time and circumstances make their way into my life and reveal something about me that is quite the opposite of greatness, failure. ...

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Hebrews 13:2 (New Living Translation) While visiting my daughter in San Antonio, I went to church with her and took away a great definition of hospitality. We often think of hospitality as those activities surrounding the holida ...

Well-spoken words bring satisfaction; well-done work has its own reward.  Proverbs 12:14 (The Message) How often are we satisfied with the job we have done and seek no more reward than the knowledge of having done well?  Our society promotes going after awards and accolades.  We don't feel good about our performance unless we get fi ...

Tim McGraw wrote a hit song called, "Live Like You Are Dying," which ironically enough instructed you to, live like you are dying.  His philosophy wasn't original, Solomon had come up with that particular truth 3000 years ago.  Here's how he put it: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor kn ...

David wasn't afraid of much Not the lion or the bear Not the 9 foot tall giant of the Philistines Not the army of King Saul Not all his enemies' forces Not the laughter of his wife   No, David was a brave man.   But King David was very afraid of God's hand.   Late in life, David foolishly planned a census of all his forces. God punished ...

Yep.  The King James Version of the Bible was printed 400 years ago this year.  It is a remarkable version.  It's shaped the English language more than any other single volume in history.  It's probably even impacted you without you knowing it!  Ever used the phrase, "Pride goeth before a fall?"  That's from the KJV.  There's a "fly in the ointment ...

Strength in dependence  is exactly what Paul is getting at in 2 Tim 2.1: "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (KJV). "Be strong," says Paul, not in your own strength and effort, but "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." We cannot give ourselves grace any more than we can give ourselves talents an ...

Graham Family,We want to hear what God is teaching you!  It is through the Word and by the Spirit that God reveals Himself to us. Journal for us what you are learning in the Word. As Peter wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. ” (2 Peter 3:18, ...