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DAYTON–Nearly thirty years ago Susie and I made a trip to Dayton to be interviewed, which would determine if we would Pastor here. On the way we came across a few sheep on the main highway a couple miles out of town. We stopped, moved the sheep off the road, found the owner, and helped them back to their pen. In all the trips we've made on that highway since, we've never again come across sheep on the road. I believe the Lord was calling us to Dayton to help care for His sheep. Jesus spoke of t...
A young man borrowed his brothers' car and on a sharp corner lost control. The car came to rest upside down in a 12-foot-deep ditch. Though he was able to climb out of the car safely, he'd been careless with what belonged to another. There are occasions when we borrow what belongs to another and it may become damaged in our care. If we are going to borrow from another, we need to be careful and respectful with it. God's Word is His Word. We must handle it, live it, and walk in it carefully. His...
We are unable to fully appreciate the magnitude of God's protective, loving care for us. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" Ecc. 3:22-23. The 3-year-old little girl had enjoyed treats from the ice cream truck and had learned to recognize its coming. When she heard its cheerful music, she simply leaped off the top of the porch into midair towards its approach. Her father happened to be seat...
In the story "Acres of Diamonds" a farmer heard about other farmers who became wealthy by discovering diamond mines. He sells his farm to search for diamonds himself. Unable to find any, he became depressed and drowned himself. The irony of the story is that the farm he sold was later discovered to have one of the most productive diamond mines in Africa. The "acres of diamonds" were in his backyard all the time! We don't have to travel to the ends of the earth to be blessed! The Lord blesses us...
Pressure cookers have become very popular, only now some of them are called "instant pots." They cook faster while sealing in the flavor using pressure and heat. When the food is done, it is important to use the "pressure release valve" before opening the lid or injury and burns can result. Life can be like a pressure cooker. We can feel overwhelmed with worries, responsibilities, deadlines, demands, and fears that it all may go wrong. We need a "pressure release valve" that will release us from...
Family members laughed with excitement and the many horses present neighed as 250 Amish men lifted and carried a large barn 150 feet to a new location. It only took two minutes and forty seconds for the "hands on lifting up" to be completed on the Hochstetter farm in Ohio. Stepping in unison, hands filled with the portion they could carry, they moved a very large barn! These men provide us with a living picture of the scripture that says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will...
It is common to be asked, "How goes the battle?" At times daily life is a fierce battle. In welcoming the New Year, we are aware that there will be battles to face. In the past, horses that carried soldiers into armed battle were called "War Horses." Sometimes they even wore armor. They were often trained to kick and bite and were adept at knowing the wishes of their master by sensing the lean of his body, allowing the rider to free his hands from the reins. We are in a battle of the heart and...
A particular Dad attending his children’s Christmas program felt left out of the celebration. His unbelieving heart didn’t allow for the excitement and joy that his wife, children, and others were experiencing. It’s no fun being locked out of a celebration while watching others enjoy it. Many have difficulty enjoying Christmas. As wonderful as Christmas can be, some have said, “I can’t wait for it to be over!” It can be such a busy time that they feel overwhelmed by all their responsibil...
When a lady unexpectedly dropped off a tasty crockpot meal with an unsuspecting family, she surprised them even further by saying, “And keep the crockpot! I don’t want it back!” When another lady was complimented for her nice purse, she emptied it of its belongings and handed it to the stranger. She said, “I get the most enjoyment out of things by giving them away” (a practice she often repeats). Jesus Christ taught giving in love. He said, “Freely you have received. Freely give” Mt. 10:8. At...
A rancher told those of us sitting in the Doctor's waiting room that raising buffalo was more challenging than raising cattle. He said you couldn't rope and lead a buffalo like a cow, but that they could be led by laying out hay when they were hungry. The hungry buffalo would walk along, consuming the row of hay and end up being where the rancher wanted him to be. The rancher's explanation reminded me of the verse, "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance" Ro. 2:4. The Lord leads...
Even Christians stumble and fall in their relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must honor God’s promise that when we acknowledge our sins to Him, He truly forgives us. We are promised: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”(1 Jn. 1:9). We are not honoring His faithful character to forgive us when we keep poking ourselves for something we are ashamed of in our past. We are not honoring His faithful...
Mom's wooden mixing spoon was often used on our backsides. Though she didn't paddle too hard, it was her choice instrument for disciplining us kids. My siblings and I became skillful at hiding the spoon from her or "accidentally" breaking it when we knew that discipline was coming. The strange thing is that the very instrument that brought the sting of discipline was also instrumental in bringing us tasty dishes to eat. She used the spoon to mix up cakes, pies, meat loafs, and tasty casseroles....
We never know how much a kind greeting or warm hello can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time. A dad and his son were both in the service during wartime, serving in different locations. Not having seen each other for months and being concerned for each other's safety, they caught a quick glimpse of each other across the airport tarmac as they were each boarding flights to different places of duty. Their excitement was expressed in wild two-handed waves and smiles as each stood...
Prior to his conversion, the Apostle Paul (under the name of Saul) was responsible for the imprisonment of Christians, some of them being put to death. The Lord got ahold of him and he became a new creation in Christ. Paul referred to himself as "the chief of sinners" to whom God had shown His long-suffering mercy. There may be times when we need to be reminded that the Lord loves every person and desires them to be saved, regardless of what they've done or how horrible they have been. There...
My wife and I were alarmed at the conclusion of a church conference when a Pastor took off for home, forgetting his wife. He left her stranded in the church yard. She calmly stated that he often forgot her. She said that he would eventually remember and return for her. It's hard to imagine that kind of forgetfulness. The Bible tells of a woman who forgot. She was so taken by Jesus' words of living water that she went to tell others "leaving her water jar". She forgot her valuable and needed wate...
Recently an airline pilot made national news as a video recorded him taking an ax to a mechanical crossing arm that kept him from driving into a special part of the airport. As he struck with the ax again and again, he was expressing the frustration we often face when we are forced to wait, and we see no reason for it. Being patient while waiting can be difficult. There's nothing special about having to wait. We all must wait, whether it is in a doctor's office, grocery checkout line, or at a...
A humorous story tells of three very old friends visiting. One shared that his eyesight was failing. Another said he could hardly hear anymore. The third said he was having trouble walking. The first one said, “Yeah, but at least we can all still drive!” (watch out!) It encourages us to come across people who joyfully proclaim that though they are growing old, their enjoyment of life is richer than ever. Some complain miserably about getting older. It is true that our bones may ache more, our...
We may find ourselves being tempted to be unfaithful to the Lord when we least expect it. Our relationship with the Lord may be stronger than ever and still we find ourselves severely tempted. The Bible says “all temptation is common to man.” Even Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are - yet He did not sin” Heb. 4:15. The “tempter,” the Devil, has lots of practice at his craft and he works very hard. His methods may vary from one time to the next. Motivated by a hunger to destroy, he...
We were watching the runners pass by our home during the Touchet River Run and we noticed the leaders were very fast and seemed intent on winning. They were followed by a group of home-town people who we would see daily running the Dayton roads. Next was the group of all ages who smiled as they enjoyed the scenery and waved to those watching the race. Following them came the handicapped and elderly who were just as earnest as the others. As they went out of sight, the orange cones that directed...
A young lady answering the knock at the door heard the voice of a prisoner she and others had been praying for on the outside of the door. Instead of opening the door she excitedly ran back to the prayer group and said, "Peter is at the door." Though they had been praying for his release, they said, "you are out of your mind!" Peter kept knocking until they finally opened the door. They saw him and were astonished" Acts. 12:12-16. Peter went on to tell them the miracle of his prison release. Sad...
Gary experienced hardship in life. He was molested at age 7. At age 11 he was afflicted with spinal meningitis which crippled him for three years. After becoming an award-winning music producer, (working with the Association, Paul Revere and the Raiders, among many others) he was shot three times by hitmen, nearly ending his life. Gary recognized his need for God and asked Jesus Christ into his life. Following that decision, he spent the rest of his life using his talents in Gospel music. Gary...
In past years the pump section of certain church pump organs was behind a partition. While the musician was playing the keys, there was an unseen, often unnamed person vigorously pumping the bellows, building up the air pressure for the musician to make music. On one occasion, after the crowd honored the musician for beautiful playing, the pump assistant was offended because he felt unappreciated. He stopped pumping. The musician was helpless to continue. Try as he might, he had nothing to...
A cafeteria worker shared a secret for instilling in her customers a deeper appreciation for her food. She whispered to me, "I make them smell it for a while before I serve it. It makes them hungrier and more appreciative." I don't know how many tricks she had, but she definitely understood how important it was for hunger to be stimulated. The Lord appreciates a deep hunger for Him. His Word says, "Blessed (meaning "happy") are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be...
Jesus spoke of a rich man who thought he could look forward to many years of comfort and wealth. Jesus said, "The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." "But God...
We often sing a hymn that contains the phrase, "like the prophet, my pillow a stone" (referring to Jacob resting his head on a stone). Most of us know what it's like to drag ourselves through the day because we didn't sleep well the night before. The difficulty sleeping may have nothing to do with an uncomfortable pillow but with an uncomfortable heart. We may be missing the personal fellowship with the Lord that He designed us for. He may be prompting us to be attentive and awake to Him more th...