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Have you noticed a gradual change in our society over recent years? The change is that summer time is now a hectic time instead of a relaxing time!

It used to be that 'summer' was a time when our schedules slowed down, relaxing evenings were spent on the front porch, and the big event for the summer was Vacation Bible School at church. But not anymore...summer means getting an extra job, working overtime, shipping our kids to various camps (cheerleading, soccer, baseball, etc.). Our families are going a hundred different directions and it seems that all we do is…  ( Click for more )

In the Bible God is given many names. Just to mention a few...Yahweh, Adonai, Elohim, El Shaddai, Rock. We also look for images and adjectives that could somehow describe His greatness...Fortress, Provider, Deliverer.

But then one day about two-thousand years ago, a Jewish carpenter used a word that no one had ever dreamed of using...ABBA!! Abba was a very tender and intimate word, similar to our word 'daddy'. 'ABBA' loves us deeply, 'ABBA' desires that we spend time with Him, 'ABBA' will meet our deepest needs, 'ABBA' wants…  ( Click for more )

I learned something recently and maybe you didn't know this either...but sheep aren't very smart!

Just think about this...sheep tend to wander into running creeks for water, then their wool gets wet and heavy and they drown. They need a shepherd to lead them to 'calm water'. (Psalm 23:2)

Also, sheep have absolutely no sense of direction. They need someone to lead them 'on paths that are right'. (Psalm 23:3)

Sheep have no natural defense - no claws, no horns, no fangs. They are totally helpless. Sheep need a shepherd with a 'rod…  ( Click for more )

Mike Barker had just entered basic training in the U. S. Air Force. On his first attempt in the obstacle course he completed the course far ahead of everyone else, but he was immediately confronted by his Drill Sergeant, who demanded, "Where are all your buddies?"

"Back there, sir." Mike replied, "I won!"

The sergeant barked, "The obstacle course isn't about coming in first! It's about finishing! Everybody finishes or nobody wins. Go back and run it again, and this time help the guys who are struggling along the way!"

That incident began Mike's transformation…  ( Click for more )

Monday was Memorial Day...it's a day in which we gratefully remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. I was reminded of the many men and women who have died for the love of this country as my family and I drove through the V.A. Cemetary in Johnson City Monday afternoon. We saw young families standing at the graves of their grandparents. We observed a couple kneeling at the grave of their son. We talked to a young soldier who was looking for a grave of a good friend. The freedoms we now enjoy and often take for granted have been bought with their blood. Gratefully...we…  ( Click for more )

I'm fairly confident that most of us are probably familiar with the biography of Hellen Keller. It's an incredible story of a deaf and blind girl who would have grown up severly disadvantaged if it were not for a compassionate women named Anne Sullivan.

When the two of them met, young Helen was kept in a cage and would only growl at her new teacher. But Anne, nearly blind herself due to a childhood fever, worked with Helen on every aspect of her life...recognition, personal habits, manners, speech, etc. By the time Helen Keller reached adulthood, she was a changed…  ( Click for more )

My week as been incredibly hectic and stressful!! In the midst of packing and moving into a new home, my wife developed blood clots in her legs (which was extremely frightening) and had to seek medical care, and we had to give up our pet cat 'Glitter'. It has been a hectic, stress-filled, emotional and exhausting week!

As I was running one of my many errands this week I passed a church that had on their marquee a quaint saying that I have read many times before..."Seven days without prayer makes one weak." Boy, did that hit home for me! I was so busy with MY agenda…  ( Click for more )

Mother's Day was this past Sunday! Astounding records are set on Mother's Day...for instance, Mother's Day is the second busiest day of the year for restaurants...Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for long distance phone calls...Mother's Day brings in millions of dollars to card stores, flower shoppes, and candy companies. All of this occurs as we attempt to express our heartfelt love to our wonderful mothers. I like how one six-year old boy expressed his love to his mother..."Mommy, I love you as many times as God can count." That sums it…  ( Click for more )

Yesterday afternoon I had lunch at Dairy Queen with Tom, the Youth Minister that I serve with. As we sat there finishing our hamburgers and fries Tom said, "Hey, let me treat you to some ice cream!". Well...I never turn down dessert...especially a FREE dessert! So, we eagerly headed up to the counter and ordered our frosty treats...vanilla ice cream cones!! Yummy!!

It was 1904 and people were lining up at Arnold Fornachou's booth at the St. Louis World's Fair to enjoy some ice cream. It was a hot, sticky day and ice cream was the perfect refreshment. However,…  ( Click for more )

We live in an age of 'politicial correctness'!

In fact, I believe we've gone overboard in being too cautious. Because of the media's coverage of high-profile child molestation cases...and the emphasis in the workplace on sexual harassment...we are becoming a culture that is hesitant to touch.

I am referring to touching one another...not in a suggestive manner, but in a way that communicates love, warmth, acceptance and concern.

Someone handed me this poem this past week and I have no idea who the author is...but it is right on target.

Please…  ( Click for more )

After Ruth suffered a debilitating stroke that left her right side incapacitated, she had to take up residence in a local nursing home. Like so many others in similar situations, she was having a difficult time adjusting to her current condition and surroundings. And...to make matters worse, because of her stroke she was unable to play the piano...which was one of the great pleasures in her life.

One day the Activities Director at the nursing home introduced Ruth to another resident named Margaret. Margaret was also a stroke victim and had been a very accomplished pianist.…  ( Click for more )

For a few years my family and I lived in the heart of Amish country in northern Indiana & southern Michigan. I greatly enjoyed hearing the clip-clop of the horse & buggies...seeing the carefully cared for farms...and dining on their delicious food! (I'm confident that our local Wal-Mart was probably the only Wal-Mart in the nation that had a hitching post for the horse & buggies!!)

The Amish community though can seem starkly different from the rest of us. For instance, they dress differently ... only dark, plain colors and no buttons. they travel differently ... only…  ( Click for more )

It's the BIG race weekend in our area...the NASCAR race at the Bristol Motor Speedway. The Bristol Motor Speedway reportedly holds 160,000 people! NASCAR fans are flooding into our area. Hotels and campgrounds are completely sold out for a 50-mile radius. Area merchants are thrilled to see the fans pouring into our area.

The excitement is building...and the atmosphere is electric...all for a RACE!!

In this race the fans will watch as their favorite drivers attempt to be fastest in the race and to leave all the others in a cloud of dust.

In this race the winner…  ( Click for more )

This morning a terrible thing happened to me! I looked in the bathroom mirror!! As I looked into the mirror - - reality slapped me in the face...I'm totally gray headed!! I'm getting older...in fact, I'll turn 50 in just a few weeks...and there's nothing I can do to stop this aging process. (My wife, Sharon, won't let me color my hair...I've always wanted to be blonde!!).

It's hard to see things grow old...like the little town you were raised up in, or your parents, or even your friends. Aren't there times you wish you could turn the…  ( Click for more )

I love buffets!! All that food...all those choices...yummy! One of my favorite buffets is the breakfast bar at Shoney's...double yummy! Now, one thing you learn real quick at any buffet is that each time you make a trip to the buffet you must get a clean plate. Most city Health Departments require clean plates with each trip to the buffet.

Yet every day many of us step up to God's banquet table with a dirty plate, and then wonder why we aren't being served. You see, Jesus also insists on a clean plate for everyone. Maybe you'll recall these words from…  ( Click for more )

How do you feel when you read the list of 'sins' that are outlined in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10? Do you sweat a little as you see your sin listed there? Or maybe you breathe a sigh of relief when you don't see your 'little' sin listed?

Well...hold on for just a minute, because unfortunately the apostle Paul continues his list of vices in Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-5, and Colossians 3:5-9. When you lump all those passages together it becomes very, very clear - - every single one of us has some aspect of sin in his or her life. Ugh!!!!

Then,…  ( Click for more )

Early one wintery morning two college students were walking across the campus (probably OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY) when they came to the snow-covered football field. One guy challenged the other, "I bet you can't walk across the field - goal-to-goal - and leave a perfectly straight line of footprints in the snow."

"Whoa buddy! Just watch!" said the other guy. And off he went - stepping off from one end zone he carefully moved down the field. He kept his eyes focused on his feet and occasionally would glance up to see how much further he had to walk. When he was finished…  ( Click for more )

While visiting a local Christian bookstore recently I noticed that they have t-shirts, calendars, mugs and bookmarks that were inscribed with this familiar Scripture verse..."With God, all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26.

These items are meant to cheerfully remind us of God's awesome power. But really...do we actually believe it? Do we honestly believe that ALL things are possible with God?

If all things were actually possible with God - then He is limited by nothing! Not by tragedy, fear, sin, or even death. As a Believer - I know this is true...but if you're…  ( Click for more )

It's hard to believe but Christmas was just six weeks ago! The credit card bills are probably reminding you of that! It seems the excitement of Christmas is all but a memory and we're in the midst of dragging through the cold, dreary days of winter.

But then comes along this bright little celebration....Valentine's Day!! <>On this day of sharing love and adoration to those you care about may I recommend some gift ideas?

What? Spend more money? Dennis, you idiot - - I'm trying to pay off my Christmas expenses!

Well - calm down for just a brief…  ( Click for more )

I have had a few times in my life when I wondered if I really mattered to God. I felt so insignificant. My problems seems of no importance to Him. Bascially, I felt like I was a burden to Him.

Have you ever been down this path?

If you have, then take comfort - - because you and I are not the only ones.

Remember the day in Jesus' life when Jairus came to Him. Jairus was the president of the Jewish synagogue and was a pretty important man in the large Galilee fishing town of Capernaum. Jairus is a VIP! But his status and prestige all vanish when his little girl…  ( Click for more )

Have you ever watched a hamster or a mouse in a cage? Our youngest daughter, Kendra, used to have two dwarf hamsters ... Squiggles and Squirt. These active little rodents would often get into their tiny tread-wheel and run for hours on end. I wonder...do they realize that despite their great efforts - they are getting absolutely nowhere?

When you occasionally slow down from your hectic schedule filled with appointments, errands and chores...do you find yourself feeling like Squiggles and Squirt...always running, but never making any progress? In fact, life may be streaking…  ( Click for more )

Is God calling you to do something in your life? Has He prompted you to serve Him in the church? Your work place? Your home? Do you have a gift for teaching, writing, prayer or do you have creative gifts that could bring glory to His kingdom?

Obviously, the apostle Paul had some gifts and countless opportunities to serve God...and he could have bragged about it. Yet listen to what he says in Philippians 3:7... "I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done." (NLT)

Here's what Paul is saying..."Here…  ( Click for more )

This past Sunday at worship I had several families telling me about their upcoming vacation plans...going to the beach, traveling to Ireland, taking the kids to Disney World, camping in the mountains, a 7-day cruise in the Carribbean. It all sounds like so much fun! It made me kind of jealous!!

I have found that my life is so hectic right now...like I'm going in a hundred different directions. I need a vacation...time to stop, to rest, to refresh, to refuel.

It's easy to get so busy serving God, our families, our friends, relatives, etc. - - feeling so burdened…  ( Click for more )

I have been to many, many worship services over the years in which during the service the congregation is asked to recite the Lord's Prayer. This well-known prayer ends with "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." (Matthew 6:13)

The problem I sense with this is that for many folks when this prayer is uttered it is merely the repeating of words. No thought, no emotion, no feeling, no urgency. How quickly we withdraw it from our memory bank and let it roll off our lips. In fact, we almost quote this final sentence in a singsong fashion!

Would…  ( Click for more )