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The handmade sign read: “Expect considerable delays. Due to equipment failure we are down to one machine. Wait time will be affected. Sorry for any inconvenience.”
Hmm. After a brief pause to consider how I should respond, I pulled my car into the line behind at least six others. Two more pulled in behind me. I guess that proves it. Coffee really is that important. Read more
Have you ever been rejected by a rebellious child? Back when she was young and helpless, you lovingly cared for her. You protected her, clothed her, fed her, and taught her how to live. She clung to you because she recognized her need for you.
Then when she began to think she was big enough to take care of herself and make her own decisions she became defiant. She refused to follow your rules. She laughed at your wisdom. She turned away from your embrace. She may have looked right at you and declared “I don’t need you. I can take care of myself. I know what I’m doing. Leave me alone!”
If you are a parent you’ve probably experienced this at least to some degree. If you haven’t, then your kids are probably still young. Just wait, it’s coming. Many of us have even been heartbroken by our children actions or rejection. Read more
I smiled at the yellowed recipe card. Memories rushed back at the sight of my 
grandmother’s familiar handwriting. She had lovingly prepared this very dish for many family feasts. As she got older, there were lots of grandchildren and even great-children to help with the cooking, but she always insisted on contributing. Even now, years after her death, my grandmother’s recipes are still found at family gatherings.
Her love of cooking was not the only thing my grandmother shared with her family. She was quick to tell us what God was teaching her and she strongly encouraged each of us in our own faith. She often wrote us notes or sent us timely devotionals. And I knew she was always praying for me. Read more
In my younger days, I never had to write things down on a calendar. My mind was like a steel
trap; I remembered everything. But now that I’m older – relatively speaking, of course – I really have to keep a close eye on my calendar. But sometimes I forget to check it.
Take this June for example. Two big things were scheduled. First, friends were hosting a bridal shower here for my daughter who lives in another city. Second, I was leading a team of twelve people from our church to Alberta, Canada. In my mind, the shower was on a certain Saturday and I flew out to Canada on the following Friday. Everything was in order. Or was it?
About a month after I purchased my airline ticket I was struck by a horrendous thought. A calendar check confirmed my fear. My flight to Calgary was Friday, June 26th. Kelley’s wedding shower in Texas was Saturday, June 27th. My not-so-young brain had made a terrible mistake. Read more
My oldest daughter is getting married in four weeks. I want to lose five pounds. 
That should be easy enough. It’s only 1 ¼ pounds a week. I only need to burn off 4,000 more calories a week than I consume. But things will come up; I’ll keep putting it off. For instance, there is a bridal tea and wedding shower to attend this weekend. Umm, there will probably be cake. Next week it will be something else and before you know it I’ll have four days left instead of four weeks.
Obviously, I’ve always had plenty of food. I’ve never experienced physical famine. But millions of people all over the world will face it today. Millions are starving for lack of food. We see their bloated bellies and rail-thin limbs on our TV screens every day.
Recently I’ve been going through the Minor Prophets in my daily Bible reading. There is a verse in Amos about famine that has been haunting me.
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.” Amos 8:11-12 Read more