One of the most powerful commandments in the Old Testament is the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to love God with all their being. They were to tell it to their children in the morning, at night, and as they went about their day.
Continue reading “Tell It To Your Children”Oh To Be A Child Again
While reading through the Bible again this year, I saw something for the first time. That happens when you crack the Book again and again!
I discovered two accounts of Jesus’ ministry that were back-to-back. I had never seen them related. I am talking about Jesus with the children and then the young, rich ruler. Both are found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. For reference purposes, they are found in Matt. 19:13-30, Mark 10:13-31, and Luke 18:15-30).
Let’s look at the comparison.
Continue reading “Oh To Be A Child Again”History-Long Hatred of Children: A Ploy of Satan
Children are the most vulnerable humans on the planet. They are very dependent upon adults for provision, shelter, protection, and education. Through the course of world history, children have been neglected and worse of all targeted for exploitation or even destruction. Why?
In our present age, we see children used as slave labor, sex slaves, so-called collateral damage in endless wars, starved by abject poverty, and easy fields for organ harvesting in less humane societies.
Then in our more so-called civilized cultures, we see children harmed in sex abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, objects of child pornography, sexual mutilation, destructive drug therapy, warped by dysfunctional families, and killed by abortion.
Continue reading “History-Long Hatred of Children: A Ploy of Satan”Father’s Day — Generations
On Father’s Day, I will mark sixteen years, five months, and seven days being a grandfather. I am affectionately called Papa by my second-generation posterity. Actually, most of my close clan call me that now, it fits me better. I look, walk, and feel like a Papa more than the title of Daddy or Babe. Don’t laugh!!
Continue reading “Father’s Day — Generations”Mama, Am I an Orphan?
Historical Fiction based on the Life of William Whitt (1775-1850)
I had just started school in the fall of 1781. I noticed right off that all the pupils in my class had a father except me and two others. Being fatherless was all I had ever known. My father died in the War of Independence while they were encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania with General George Washington. I was only about two years old when my father left to fight. I had no lasting memory of him or his dying in the spring of 1778.
Continue reading “Mama, Am I an Orphan?”Higher Purpose
It is crazy for an atheist to say he has a purpose. One cannot have a purpose if they are only an accidental biological blob careening through space and time.
We can only have purpose because of God. God has a plan based on a purpose.
Continue reading “Higher Purpose”Disappointment
I suppose disappointment is a human condition that affects us all. We often wallow in the disappointment in ourselves and boil over our emotions in the disappointment of others.
There is a portion of scripture I often default to in times of disappointment that shakes me back into reality. It is in Proverbs 13:12a (NKJV), “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…” My paraphrase is, “Expectations not met, breaks the heart.”
Continue reading “Disappointment”Where Do We Go From Here?
PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF UVALDE, TEXAS!
It is horrible thing when two neighbors have a quarrel, and one kills the other. It is so unthinkable when an evil person kills at random one or more who are innocent and vulnerable with whom he had no quarrel. It is unthinkable because normal, descent folks just cannot imagine why anyone would do such a thing—it is unthinkable.
There is the usual rush to put a “why” on the “what”. Most of us who have an ounce of compassion first think about those in our lives who approximate the same age as the victims, then a deep sick feeling wells up in our souls to the point we quickly change the channel in our mind to something less painful. We whisper a prayer for the hurting while our souls scream, “WHY?”
Continue reading “Where Do We Go From Here?”Like a Child
Featured Photo: That pitiful looking kid with the big head and little shoulders was taken about sixty-three years ago when I was about three years old. I still look like that when I’m in my Heavenly Father’s arms.
Most little kids will wear whatever you pull out of the drawer. It does not matter if it is purple checked pants with an orange stripe shirt. Their hair can be a mess, with candy smeared across their face, and they will still meet you at the door with a chocolate smile. Their self awareness has not yet morphed into pride.
Continue reading “Like a Child”Quarters for Lunch
When I was in elementary school, my mother would tie up five quarters in a handkerchief on Monday for my week’s lunch money. Yes, lunch was only a quarter. Lunch was on a light green rectangle tray with sections for the different foods. White milk was our only drink option which means there were no drink options. I loved Fridays because it was either a hamburger or a hot dog plus the other stuff. The fish sticks with the dark spots I hated.
Continue reading “Quarters for Lunch”
