The much beloved hymn, Fairest Lord Jesus, is was written sometime in the mid-sixteen hundreds by an anonymous author. It first appeared in a Jesuit hymnbook in 1677. Whoever wrote this beautiful hymn obviously had a deep devotional life. A life that focuses on the beauty of Christ, is a life put in perspective. A […]
There is a funny story about a woman who read that dogs were healthier if fed a tablespoon of cod liver oil each day. So, each day she followed the same routine. She chased her dog until she caught it, wrestled it down, and managed to force the fishy remedy down the dog’s throat. Then […]
One of my friends, Dan Brooks owns Sunrise surf shop in Jacksonville Beach, and for several years he organized a surf camp for children who have autism. I’ve had the privilege of helping out with this ministry – and what a blessing it was for me personally as a volunteer. This young boy I worked […]
In a movie about Beethoven, there’s a scene in which he becomes furious at his landlady. Later, he apologizes. It is a touching moment in which you can see that the woman was almost moved to tears. Beethoven then gives her two tickets to see his new symphony performed for the first time. She responds […]
The Apostle Peter once said, “Now I truly know that God shows no partiality!” (Acts 10) Jesus had spoken to him in a dream and made it crystal clear that even the gentiles, people so utterly different than Peter – were welcome and loved by the Lord.” In his book, “Learning to Lead,” Fred Smith […]
In their book, Radical Hospitality, Father Daniel Homan and Lonni Collins Pratt tell a story about a young couple who was in a restaurant with their four-year-old son. The waitress approached the table, took the parent’s order and then turned to the boy. “I want a hot dog,” he stated. His parents barked in unison, […]
I love the Peanuts cartoon that showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown. She said, “Guess what, Chuck. The first day of school and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.” He said, “My fault? How could it be my fault? Why do you say everything is my fault?” She […]
Several years ago, there was a story in the news about two men living in Lincoln, Nebraska. One of them, a man named Larry Trapp, was wheelchair bound and had been diagnosed with a fatal disease. Larry was also bound – not only by disease – but by crippling hatred. He was a Grand Dragon […]
There’s a story about a young dating couple who went camping together one cold fall night. When they went to bed that night, she was sleeping on a cot and he was on the floor in a sleeping bag. Just after they turn out the lantern, the girlfriend leans over and says, “Honey, it sure […]
Today I would like to say a special word of thanks to those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Your gifts make this ministry possible! A few years ago, I ran into my friend Ernestine at a continuing education event outside of Atlanta. Ernestine was the Dean of […]
