Facing the Black and Finding some Light

Facing the Black and Finding some Light

We trip, fall, and land in the black, but with grace, a friend comes to show a pinpoint of light. I knew what he had done, but I still loved him. I told him I loved him too. He found it hard to take that he was worthy of anyone’s […]

Let the Gardener do Their Work. The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

We don’ want to be like a barren fig tree, but something has to change. Therefore, we submit to the wisdom of a master gardener. As a gardener, I often go to people’s gardens, and they ask me why a particular fruit tree is not producing fruit. I look over […]

When you're feeling abandoned

When You’re Feeling Abandoned

A feeling of being abandoned can be like a cold chill across the soul. But God is always at work, so we need to remind ourselves of this truth. I was recently at the help desk in a large store returning some items, and I noticed a small boy in […]

I Want Help with my Untied Shoelaces

I Want Help with my Untied Shoelaces

At times there are things we can’t do for ourselves, but perhaps someone else can. So we ask for help with our untied shoelaces. Recently I woke up with pain in my left shoulder. I was in agony. My wife was away from home, and I knew that I had […]

Who are the Five people you spend the most time with

Who are the Five people you spend the most time with?

Who are the Five people you spend the most time with? They will be the ones who have the most influence over you. Her response to a betrayal of friendship has probably helped thousands of others to get a better group of friends. The other day I was listening to […]

Does God Hate Me

Does God Hate Me? Part two

Does God hate Me or Does God love me? What you think about God will form the patterns of your thinking and life. Oh, that my heart might know a new reassurance. Recently in my conversations with people, I have been giving them three little phrases to meditate on and […]

Does God Hate Me Part one

Does God Hate Me? Part one

Does God Hate me? Is God punishing me? Questions like these need gentle and grace-filled responses, so here are twelve questions that I would like to ask and explore. Sometimes, when I listen to people, I hear little comments that bring a sense of sadness to my heart. Some firmly […]

Willpower is never enough

Willpower is never enough

We want to change, but willpower alone is never enough. It runs out. We need to have a stronger power – a heart power that strengthens our thinking. I was going to change. I was determined. No more of those old habits and going down those old stupid ways. Now […]

Are You Open to Receive love

Are You Open to Receive?

It’s probably easier to give than to receive, but we can’t give what we haven’t already received. How can someone love, when they don’t know what love is? Are you open to receiving love?  It was awkward. Plain embarrassing. It was so uncomfortable that they wanted to run from this […]

Your Rehearsal can Change your Mind

Your Rehearsal can Change your Mind

Our self-talk can keep us depressed and anxious, but we can learn new thinking tracks. Your rehearsal can change your mind. I always marvel at how the experts seem to effortlessly do something that I would difficult. My earliest experience of this was watching shearers shear our sheep on the […]