“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew.” – Francis de Sales It’s edging toward mid-August, and the beginning of the school year in the Northern Hemisphere swiftly approaches. Churches […]
Forgiveness
Royal Attire Required and Generously Supplied
Have you ever watched the commercial that asserts that by simply dipping any stained fabric in a solution made up of hot water and their product, the stains would disappear, leaving the item sparkling clean? I have never gotten the results promised, but some stains do disappear if I soak and scrub them enough. Thank […]
Kindness Doesn’t Cost You Much But It’s Priceless
Kindness doesn’t cost you much more than your attention, and occasionally, your time. It reaps immediate and eternal benefits for yourself and, more importantly, for others. Practising kindness purges the toxins of selfishness and pride from your body, soul, and spirit. If you haven’t practised the skill of kindness for a while, it might seem […]
Are There Zombies Sitting in the Pews?
“The old man is dead, long live the new creature.” Nancy Henigbaum (Honeytree) It’s easy to confuse fleeting thoughts and the emotional pull of temptation as sin. God rejoices when we turn and walk the other way from temptation, and He hopes we join Him in that celebration. After all, we just experienced a major […]
Give a Hand Up and not a Kick to the Curb
Tiny foundational cracks become fault lines when great stress is applied. What causes one person’s life to shatter may not be what causes another person’s downfall. In 2020, marriages are falling apart, and social isolation is leading to lapses in recovery and sobriety. Yes, there are plenty of self-help tools out there. Unless a support […]
Leaving Minefields Behind?
Abandoned minefields are hideous legacies strewn across formerly war-torn nations around the world. Although warring factions brokered peace treaties and cease-fires decades ago, these landmines maim or kill hundreds of innocent civilians every year. Weapons meant to keep a particular adversary at bay now lie in wait under rice patties and earthen paths. Each mine […]