In and around 2012, I found myself floundering a bit. I had been 8 years at the Elm Street Community Church, helped get Shining Light Ministries off the ground, and I was getting burnt out. My health was declining, relationships were suffering, and I was having trouble finding the joy that I had felt not... Continue Reading →

How often do we find that the plans we make are changed by other circumstances? A crisis or challenge comes up and now we are doing something we hadn’t planned. Sometimes these changes are of our own doing, and sometimes they are not. This morning, I heard our new puppy up (a rescue) and decided... Continue Reading →

Many of you, you have probably already set some plans in place, for your health and finances, and for your mental and spiritual life. You are ready to be done with what this decade has brought so far and ready to see a new chapter begin. You are ready for the next leg of the... Continue Reading →

Another Holiday season has come and gone. Thanksgiving, Advent, and now Christmas are in the rear window (hopefully we’re holding onto the truths we learned about God along the way). If you are like me, you have probably worked harder, exercised less, and eaten more than you should have. If you live in America, you... Continue Reading →

What do you think of when you think of peace? Is it a symbol on a bumper sticker or t-shirt, or is it something more? People seem to want to talk about peace, but peace is a relative term as many seem to think that peace will come when everyone adopts their way of life.... Continue Reading →

It has been a hard couple of years. Covid is ongoing, there has been political strife, and now inflation, supply chain issues, and a limited workforce keep the challenges going. For some, these holidays bring reminders of loss, with loved ones no longer with them. How is it possible to find joy in circumstances like... Continue Reading →

As I was reading 1 Cor. 16 this morning, Jim and Elisabeth Elliot came to mind. Jim Elliot felt called to reach the Auca people in Equador. The word Auca actually meant savage in the Quechua language, as that is what they were considered by those who lived around them in Equador. Desiring to share... Continue Reading →

In a world where we seem to be looking in so many different places for people or things to protect us or save us, this is a very important question for us to ask during the Advent season. During Advent, we prepare to celebrate when God came to earth as one of us to live... Continue Reading →

What a great time to be going through the Psalms. There are many Psalms of thanksgiving, but the one I am in today is Psalm 138 (a Psalm of David). It starts where we should be as we prepare for Thanksgiving... “I will give you thanks with all my heart; I will sing your praise... Continue Reading →

So often we start to move right from harvest or Halloween to Advent and Christmas, and in between spend time enjoying a Thursday without work, eating turkey and watching football. Maybe people will make sure to say a prayer with dinner. But will we take time to really give thanks? And what about last year?... Continue Reading →