Billy Strayhorn tells about a nature show he once saw about black bears. There was a particular cub that had been orphaned and then later adopted by a new father bear. At some point, the two bears became separated and the cub began to cry. The little guy wonder about looking all around for his […]
There’s an apocryphal story about a man who’s on the golf course, teed up overlooking a beautiful water shot. He’s debating whether to use his new ball, which might carry further or an old ball, which he won’t mind losing so much. As he’s thinking, a voice booms down from heaven, “Use the new ball.” […]
Many years ago when Johnny Carson was the host of The Tonight Show, he interviewed an eight-year-old boy who had rescued two friends from a coal mine outside his hometown in West Virginia. As they talked, it became clear that the young boy was a Christian. So Johnny asked him whether or not he attended […]
Pastor Leonard Sweet once wrote about a typical Little League coach giving instructions to the Little Leaguer player. If you have ever played you may remember that voice: Elbows down. Bat back to your ear. Keep your eye on the ball. Swing! Sweet makes the following observations: “Some voices stay with us forever. What voices […]
The book of Hebrews (chapter 11) tells us, By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to leave his homeland. Remember, he was in his 80’s when he and Sara first left home. And they set out, not knowing exactly where they were going — only that God was nudging them, prompting them, calling them. […]
In a small group I attend, sometime back someone shared, “You know I’ve struggled with physical pain for most of my adult life. And far too often, I’ve had well-meaning Christians say: if you would just pray about it, if you just had a little more faith, God will take it away. She said, “I’ve […]
Today, I am deeply grateful for those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. So many people benefit from your giving! In his day, the famous actor Paul Newman founded many charities, including the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for children battling cancer, AIDS, or blood diseases. One […]
Pastor James DeLoach tells a story about an old photo that made a tremendous impression on him. It was a picture of a burned-out mountain shack. All that remained was the chimney, the charred debris of what had been that family’s sole possession. In the foreground stood an older grandfatherly-looking man dressed only in his […]
In 2 Corinthians the Apostle Paul writes, “For the love of Christ urges us on.” He was writing about his ministry. He was trying to express why he was out there starting churches, sharing the gospel, nurturing new believers. It’s interesting because this wasn’t even his full-time job. Paul was a tent-maker, and his ministry […]
In the Gospel of Mark (4:26-34), Jesus tells the crowds that the kingdom of God is like a seed scattered on the ground. And it grows on its own. In fact, it is like a tiny Mustard seed, tiny but once started, it has a way of taking over everything else. It’s like Kudzu, small […]
