My parents tell me that as soon as I was born on November 3, 1958 they dedicated me to the Lord in prayer. From my earliest memories I had an awareness of my great sinfulness. Through the diligent teaching of my parents and the work of the Spirit in my life I began to have […]
Apples on an Autumn Afternoon
I have a little snapshot in the album of my memory of a carefree fall Saturday morning. I’m about ten years old. I’m in Levi’s and a stripped tee-shirt with a red wool ball cap. I’m sitting on the front steps warmed with sunlight. The sky is bright blue and clear. Overhead maples flame with […]
Mad at Being Mad
I picked this up from Todd Wilson’s Family Man Newsletter… which I love: “Guys, I am dad of 7, well 6 now. I took my 20-year-old to Air Force Basic training today – WOW! I haven’t had a flood of emotion like that since they were all born. We have the 20(b), 14(g), 12(b), 7(g), […]
Married Adventures
Sheldon and Jean VanAuken – Jean’s maiden name was Davis so he called her Davy and friends called him Van – had a dream as newlyweds. They wanted to sail together throughout the world. They bought a sail boat with inheritance money and named it Grey Goose. They named their sailboat after a bird that […]
Simply Good
In the Algonquin Wilderness my Nalgene sustained major damage. The bottle is still functional but the strap holder broke off. Today I treated myself to a new one–a lovely shade of blue and strong enough to survive a nuclear blast. A thing of beauty. It’s just one of life’s simple pleasures. Everyone should own at […]
Mark’s Mountain BBQ
Everywhere I have ever gone, I have noticed that people are open to human touches – friendliness, compliments, smiles, gifts, tips, kindness, appreciation, a listening ear. These are the kinds of things that nurture human relations. It is in the exchange of human relations that we influence others for eternity. Ministry to people depends on […]