I shivered in my seat and tried to flex my frozen toes as I listened to fellow students thank God for our situation. Who thanks God for broken-down buses in freezing weather? Did I mention we had no heat?Continue Reading
How Important Is It to Live by Our Convictions?
“Would you pray for me?… It goes against my convictions to promote what they’re telling me to teach.” Or “My company said they’ll terminate everyone who isn’t vaccinated by November 24.”
I’ve received too many such requests recently. Breadwinners feel the pressure of providing for their families. Hundreds of thousands of our military face the possibility of being court-martialed and dishonorably discharged.[1] The pressure and stress is eating some alive. Are you in a situation that’s forcing you to choose between your convictions and something you value—like a paycheck?
How important is it to live by our convictions? Does the Bible offer guidelines for those being pressured to violate their consciences? Continue Reading
Are You Spreading Fear or Faith?
Our family includes two standard poodles. They’re playful, affectionate, and smart. When they were young, they also loved to romp in the mud.
A photo of Max and Cosette standing at my French doors with topknots flattened by rain and mud up to their necks reminds me of this stage. They couldn’t understand why I didn’t swing open the door to welcome them inside when they were so pleased with themselves.
Of course, you know why I didn’t let them in. Muddy dogs—even dearly loved ones—contaminate all they touch.
I don’t know why young poodles are drawn to mud. Neither do I understand why I’m drawn to fear and worry. Attraction to bad news must be universal because that’s what news programs cover. It should be called the 6 o’clock bad news!Continue Reading
How You Can Overcome Hate
“Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday afternoon my husband and I strolled down Fayetteville Street in Raleigh from the State Capitol Building to Raleigh Memorial Auditorium. We stopped to get fresh juice on a side street before returning to our car. After weeks of silent streets, it was a joy to see families enjoying the spring day. While restaurants were still closed or taking only sidewalk orders, life promised the return of normal. Little did we know that in a few hours this peaceful street would erupt in chaos as rioters smashed windows and destroyed property.
In sadness and horror, my family watched the local and national displays of evil spewed across our TV screen. A local news commentator apologized for the foul language being shouted in the background. A friend shared a text from her brother who serves with a neighboring police department.Continue Reading