Does the difference between how you appear on the outside contradict what you value on the inside? Most of us have a gap there, where these two contradict one another. Back in college, I contemplated suicide because I couldn’t figure out which was the real me. My heart that loved God, or my behavior that denied my stated faith? Then a recent event reminded me ...
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image from ebay.com
Prayer Changes Things? What Things?
A cheap plaster of Paris plaque, much like the one above, imprinted on my values early one. Just 2” X 3” at most, dark brown. But I believed it, tried to live it, and certainly saw it occur. Then yesterday a friend Donna posted a quote from Mother Teresa, “I used to believe that prayer changes things. Now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.”A nice discussion followed with diverging ideas, where ...
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Our motel in Alpine WY
Get in the World!
Our biker crew recently rode through Las Vegas on I-15 with the temp a bit above 100, and in a strange manner, I enjoyed the warmth. I tried to remember that a few days later when we pulled out of Alpine WY with the temp at 30, but it soon dropped to 28, and stayed like that for an hour. In a strange manner, I embraced that too. We drove past a lot of alfalfa fields, many newly mown, and the scent reminded me of the hay barn at our old family farm.Half a mile before we saw the truck, I knew...
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image from californiaparrots.us
Parrothead Freedom
My wife and I lived in Newbury Park, next to Thousand Oaks, for six years until we returned to Temecula just over a year ago. After we moved, a science teacher at our former school and I had this Facebook discussion, just after a hike she took in the open country in Newbury.
Leilani: A flock of green parrots just flew by! Have a great day, birds!
Tim: We have a couple of escaped parrots who live in some tall eucalyptus trees about 100 ft. away. Love to watch them!
L: Parrots are very hardy (her science background came out here, and made this post): they are not invasive, and as long as they have food sources they will be fine. They can tolerate low temperatures, surprisingly....
T: They seem to...
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image from kraftrecipes.com
Let God Be God
I first knew her as Peggy Yadon, from our church’s high school youth group. She now goes by Peggy Yadon Nilson, and told a story about how her grandson, Jack, announced the answer that has puzzled people for eons, “God only eats bologna sandwiches. Because he likes them.”I long ago accepted God’s deity, but have wondered about his diet for some time. Puzzle solved, thanks to a convinced four year old. But why does Jack have that confidence? His mom provided the answer, “That’s all Jack wants to eat,” so he created God in his own image.Don’t we all...
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image from askgramps.org
Blame or Own?
Jesus required an impossible goal for those who desire to follow him, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Most of us, usually, agree with that as a goal, even as we realize our flaws. The key for all of us—do we yearn to grow into more righteousness, perfection, or Christlikeness? A friend recently reminded me of that requirement, and what can cause us to fall far short.Imagine the ...
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image from AP files
God's in Charge of Who's in Charge. Really
Maybe it’s time we all amp down our levels of anxiety about our 2016 Presidential race. Yes, the race is important—the American president holds more power and influence than any other individual. He or she will change history, have no doubt. And many of us have strong concerns about one or both of the major candidates. The latest Real Clear Politics summary has both Trump and Clinton at an unheard of 54% unfavorable rating. 75% of Americans dislike the direction of our country. But ...
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image by Family Handyman
Upside Down and Backwards
Do you struggle with God's desire that we be righteous, even as you face the reality of your fallenness? I've asked a good friend, Dan DeWitt, to be our guest columnist this week to explore that. I have been wanting to get rid of my lawnmower for several months now. It would cut the grass, but ...
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