Love
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Love in the Midst of the Black Death
Imagine yourself a six-year old child in 1349 when the infamous Black Death strikes. In less than a year about one half of the 30,000 citizens in your town have perished at the hand of the bubonic plague. It passes but breaks out again–six more times during your lifetime. With each outbreak, images of your… Continue reading
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Butterflies Among the Phlox
Butterflies flit among the phlox,Of white and pink on green.Why do they dance with such delightAs though they just want to be seen? The jolly old man who created themHolds them forth in his hands.And with a twinkle in his eyeSays, “See what my love commands?” Continue reading
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When a Virtuoso Played for Spare Change
As a 4-year-old, he strung rubber bands across dresser drawers and played classical tunes by ear, moving drawers in and out to vary the pitch. Today, Joshua Bell is one of the greatest violinists in the world. A number of years ago, a fascinating article appeared in the Washington Post about the “Joshua Bell Experiment.”… Continue reading
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ACRES OF DIAMONDS AND OUR TREASURE
In 1843 a man was born who was to have a profound impact upon the educational system of the United States. His name was Russell Herman Conwell. After practicing law for fifteen years he became a pastor. One day, a young man told him he wanted a college education but couldn’t possibly afford it. Dr.… Continue reading
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What I Learned When I Couldn’t Breathe
I use a CPAP machine at night in order to sleep better. It shovels air down my throat so I don’t stop breathing. On a getaway to Amherstburg a few years ago, I forgot to take it along. Twice during our stay, I partially awoke unable to breathe. Typically, when that happened, the growing fear… Continue reading
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God is a Baby (and not just in the manger!)
At Christmas we remember that God came in the person of the baby Jesus. However, the “baby stage” is only thought of as a necessary step to Jesus’ adulthood where the action really happens. I’m suggesting that the baby stage itself reveals the nature of God. God, in fact, is a baby. That, of course,… Continue reading
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How a Stroke Saved an Ornery Old Farmer
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what… Continue reading
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What is More Important, Love or Right Beliefs?
In his book, “The Wounded Healer,” Henri Nouwen tells the story of a young fugitive who was taken in by people of a small village and given a place to stay. Eventually, however, enemy soldiers came and demanded to be told where the young man was hiding. When the people hesitated, the soldiers threatened to… Continue reading
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Sweet after Bitter, a Personal Story
Our daughter, Sara, married a wonderful man. As it was a second marriage for both her and Mark, you know there were past difficult circumstances. Here is Mark’s description, in his own words, of the violent storm he was forced to weather: In 2020 my world was turned upside down with the news that my… Continue reading
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Like Helen Keller—“A Misty Consciousness Returning!”
In her autobiography, Helen Keller explains a mystery that has puzzled me since childhood—how could a blind and deaf person come to understand language? She says that after experiencing only frustration and anger as Ann Sullivan tried to teach her the meaning of words, the “aha moment” came while they strolled together in the yard.… Continue reading