Compassion is a word that carries a great deal of meaning for the Christian. Jesus was a man of compassion. When people are hurting, they need the compassion of others. Do we have trouble seeing the needs of hurting people? Sometimes a kind word, a gentle smile, or taking a casserole over to a hurting family demonstrates the love of God more emphatically than the best sermon in the world. It takes having our Father’s eyes to see the needs of those around us. As a teenager, my sister and I rode a bus everyday to high school. There was a girl our age who had lost her mother to cancer. She ... Read the Post
God's Plan for Parents
One of the joys of getting older is seeing the fruits of your labor. For Christian parents it is especially good to see your grown children living out the faith passed down from generations. In 1972, my son was born after a difficult breach birth. He was premature weighing 4 pounds and 11 ounces. This child was dedicated to the Lord from the beginning. He had difficulty breathing properly. When the doctor told me he might not live, I turned to God in prayer. Our church family prayed for his life to be spared. He slowly gained strength and after ten days in the hospital, he was released to ... Read the Post
The Wounded
One day my little grandsons, Cole (age 5) and Mason (age 8), were playing with some toys in the playroom. All of a sudden, Cole started screaming, “I’m bleeding! I’m bleeding!” He held up one little finger with a tiny drop of blood on it. His brother, Mason, shouted, “Shut up Cole! Jesus was bloody all over and He didn’t cry!” After hearing this story from their mother, we all had a good laugh, but then I thought about the spiritual lesson from this story. Christians in the United States sometimes cry over the smallest of injuries, while others in third world countries have been ... Read the Post
Encouragement in Tough Times
When the stock market took a plunge recently, it reminded me to put my trust in the God who loves me. Looking back over my life, I can remember the times that God has carried me in ways that defy all reason. In 1973, my children were 5 years old and 6 months old. After a trying situation at the hospital, I quit my job. Two weeks later, my husband was laid off his job. I really prayed for wisdom and another job. After working for two weeks doing my notice before quitting, my supervisor tried to get me to take back my resignation. But I felt strongly that I should look for another job. The ... Read the Post