The news of an old friend's passing is surreal, isn't it? I recently read an old letter of Irene's that I'd tucked away. Suddenly she is gone --but I'll never forget her.   Along with her husband Malcolm, Irene taught me Sunday school when I was a young teen. She helped me understand the word of God, and gave me a great incentive --a brand-new "Living Bible" -- to memorize all of Isaiah chapter 40.   I still remember that sense of accomplishment, and how much I treasured the reward of a modern language Bible. (Yes, I cut my teeth on the KJV.)   Maybe Irene is the Continue Reading

You know that awkward moment when you realize you've done something that hurt another person, but you really want to save face?   We've all been there. It's humbling and downright painful to take the blame and ask the other person to forgive us, isn't it? I mean, it makes us look bad. It makes us feel bad about ourselves.   Sounds like low self-esteem to me, and we can't be having any of that, now, can we?   Not to worry: In light of our dilemma, I've developed a strategy. You may be familiar with some of these already, or you may even have others that could be added Continue Reading

"Sandy doesn't give me the time of day," said Allison. "I bet she's heard bad stuff about me and that's why she doesn't talk to me."     If people aren't warm and cordial to Allison (not her real name), her assumption is that they dislike her.   Allison is insecure.   We tend to sympathize with insecurity, but do you see the problem here?   Allison failed to give Sandy the benefit of a doubt. She assumed Sandy purposefully snubbed her the way a vindictive junior-high girl might. She assumed Sandy listens to gossip.   Yet Allison did not tell Sandy Continue Reading

So my son got married this last weekend, and that’s kind of a big deal. You know, one of those life-changing moments when everything clicks into place and it’s so wonderful that it’s surreal? We sat around the dinner table later that night with some of the family and friends who had come to town. It occurred to me then how our activities on Samuel and Jameson’s wedding day foreshadowed the future marriage supper of the Lamb.   One day, all believers will gather to raise their glasses and enjoy a feast together in the presence of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 19:9).   It will be Continue Reading