Inspiration

God can speak to us through anything. I was recently pushing kids on the swings: “Higher! Higher!” they shouted. But I noticed that the higher they went, the more the nearby tree branch would get in their faces. So I broke off a few branches to make more room, knowing it ultimately wouldn’t damage the…

I attended a baby dedication a few weeks ago.  It was a lovely day where friends and family gathered round praying a blessing on the newborn.  Mom, dad, and siblings listened as their pastor (who happened to also be grandpa to the newborn)  read from the book of 2 Timothy.  How delighted I was that…

I love getting up early. It’s the part of the day that I have the most control over. The phone hasn’t started ringing and no text notifications are going off. It’s just me, my breakfast and my morning devotional time. Breakfast is simple–a piece of whole grain toast with a slight dab of preserves and…

Have you ever pondered or asked yourself, is it my imagination or are things seemingly getting worse—meaning people’s conduct. One day, my wife and I were sitting at a traffic light, when suddenly, this car rushed past us so rapidly that the force of its wind shook our vehicle. Not long after this, three other…

It was an important picture. After all, it was going on the cover of my first book. So the top I chose to wear had to represent me as an author. I had learned from French Chic Expert, Marie-Anne Lecoeur, that French women–whose fashion I greatly admire–keep it simple with a touch of something unique.…

Recently I had a few things slip into my life that were unpleasant. And, to be honest, I knew how they got through the cracks. I had not been quite as fervent, tenacious, intense and watchful, as I typically am. Why? Busyness, distractions and unexpected things pulled at my time leaving me a bit depleted.…

Last week was my birthday in sobriety. I’ve been sober for twenty-nine years. For someone of Irish descent, that’s a long time. Nevertheless, my journey to get to where I am today has been long and difficult, but not because of alcohol itself. I no longer crave it. I lost the craving many years ago,…

Thinking back about the early days when Fred and I were pastoring a small church, I remembered the times when I felt like I was just doing the job. It was a terrible feeling. I remember cleaning the church, sweeping the floors, scrubbing the stairway, and wondering if anybody knew or cared that I was…

Saturday morning, I was up before everyone else.  While humming in the kitchen, I furiously whipped up pancake batter for the dozen students from a nearby Bible school who were spending the weekend with us.  They were helping us remodel our 100-year-old church building.   My four-year-old was tugging on my shirt and the frying…

Life as we know it has changed, some for the better and some for the worse.  Unfortunately, we have entered what some may say are dark days.  The future looks bleak and worrisome.  Threats of war and violence seem just around the corner.  These threats come while many are still suffering from the trauma of…