Meet Vamsi, one of the first children to be taken in at Apple of His Eye Children’s Home in Southern India. He came from a family affected by leprosy. In India, being associated with leprosy is a death sentence. Other Indians consider anyone linked to leprosy cursed and want nothing to do with that person […]
We romanticize Americans as being rugged individuals who pick-themselves-up-by-their-bootstraps. It may be romantic, until you can’t get yourself back up after a fall. You’ve seen the commercials for the necklace with a button to push to notify emergency services when you’ve fallen and can’t get up. My mom had one. It gave us kids a […]
Remember the last time you stumbled into your kitchen, flicked on the lights, and saw hundreds of sugar ants scurrying over your counters? As you reached for the Windex (instant death), they sensed danger and quickly disappeared into the woodwork. Others retreated down the sideboard to the floor, across the room, and disappeared under the […]
This blog was inspired by a sermon I recently heard by Josh Martin at Resonate Church. In this political climate, it’s important for us to look into the Bible to be reminded of God’s perspective. If we ignore the Bible, we are prone to listen to another voice that shouts for our allegiance, and the […]
“Get ready for bed.” “I don’t want to.” “Eat your vegetables.” “I don’t want to.” “Brush your teeth.” “I don’t want to.” “Come in from play and wash your hands.” “I don’t want to.” “Put that candy back.” “I don’t want to.” “Get dressed for church.” “I don’t want to.” Every parent has been frustrated […]
Kevin Kinard had been making his annual visit to Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park for over twenty years, when he discovered a 9.07 carat diamond. This past Labor Day, Kevin picked up a crystal, thinking it might be glass. To his amazement, it turned out to be the site’s second-largest diamond found in its […]
Maybe there’s a reason we are told not to talk about politics or religion. It seems that those two topics can result in more heat than light. The church is not immune to division and finger-pointing, especially when it comes to views on political issues. The Apostle Paul addressed a church that was polarizing over […]
“We’ve never seen such devastation.” “We just got out with our clothes on our backs.” “We’ve been able to go back to our home. All that’s left are ashes.” You’ve probably heard these and other expressions of grief and shock. With 10% of Oregon’s population in evacuation zones, it’s likely that you know someone […]
Some people love to fight. I never was one of them. I enjoyed wrestling and sparring during Karate class, but I never felt like I could really get hurt. Today, my biggest fight is against gravity just trying to get up from the couch. Sometimes gravity pulls me back, but usually I win. There is […]
Do you remember the popular television program, “Cheers”? The theme song was, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” Regulars entered the bar, not to drown their sorrows in drink, but to enjoy some camaraderie with some friends who didn’t try to “fix” all their defects and problems, or shower them with condemnation. Nick Stumbo shares in […]