Young Jimmy
The 14-year-old boy cried as he knelt beside his bedside, clasping his hands together. He sobbed, imploring the heavens for a miracle.
Inspiration
Out Of The Abundance Of The Heart
One can no longer even walk through a public shopping mall without seeing what would have once been considered X-rated material, now proudly displayed as advertising and window dressing.
The Tomato Elegy
Tomatoes are my favorite “non-vegetable” vegetable. I was recently informed by a smart person that tomatoes are—technically—a “fruit” because they are the ripened “ovary” of a flowering plant. But that’s just weird.
Dothan Opera House
The Dothan Opera House is an old building, constructed during World War I. Everyone has performed here. Willie Nelson, the Statler Brothers, Conway Twitty, Bob Dylan.
Prophetesses of the Old Testament, Part 2 of 2
When we think of Biblical prophets, names like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel come to mind. But there were (at least) four female prophets in the Scriptures!
My poem for PTSD Awareness Month…God bless our military!
The Sentinel There exists a chamber in the garret where all the secrets dwell, slumbering beneath the dusty shrouds meant to conceal them for eternity. The passage, a narrow one, remains barricaded, padlocked and bolted, defended with the strength and stamina, the fervor and fortitude, the power and potency, the brawn and bravado of a …
Nothing In the World Like A Mother’s Love
On Mother’s Day, I received an email from one of our readers in Kansas. She’s a mother, now in her 80s, and went to church on Mother’s Day hoping for some encouragement. But the pastor at her church never mentioned mothers.
Jesus’ Top 10 List (Of Things He Actually Taught, Not Just Instagram Quotes)
Being a Christian isn’t just believing Jesus existed—it’s living like He was right. Which means you might have to forgive your enemies, tell the truth, shut up sometimes, or put the cart back at the grocery store.
Vacation Bible Kids
“Dear Sean,” the email began. “I teach vacation Bible school… Last year we had three Latino children whose parents are undocumented immigrants… “Church leadership felt it best not to allow these children to attend VBS this year. It broke my heart, the kids don’t understand, I’m really struggling with this decision. What should I do?” …
We Make Men and Americans Free!
Americans have a long tradition of self-sacrifice to make men free. From the time of the Pilgrims to the pioneers opening the frontier, work, and self-sacrifice have been the chief endeavors of the American people.
The Book on My Coffee Table
Whenever I am feeling sad and blue, I visit my living room coffee table. There, I consult a book that sits on my coffee table. I open this book and almost always feel better.
The Art You Find in a Waffle House
Waffle House. My waitress has a bunch of tattoos. The women customers in the booth behind mine are talking about it in voices loud enough to alter the migratory patterns of waterfowl.
Casting Lines of Peace: The Story of the Baghdad School of Fly Fishing
In the heart of war-torn Iraq, amidst the chaos of conflict and the austere surroundings of Camp Victory, a remarkable initiative unfolded—one that brought solace, camaraderie, and a touch of home to deployed service members. This is the story of the Baghdad School of Fly Fishing, a testament to the healing power of nature and the resilience of the human spirit.
Healing Waters: How Fly Fishing Restores the Wounds of War
For over 100 years, fly fishing has served not only as a sport but as a quiet, powerful form of therapy for veterans returning from war.
The Iron Cross on the Camino
It was raining when we saw the big cross. In the distance. We’d been told about the cross. We knew it was near. Everyone on the trail had been talking about it.
Mourning Glory
A niece’s loving tribute to her Great Uncle, killed in France in 1918 during the Great War.
Letter to Myself
The voice is telling you to spend more time playing; less time working. More time praying, less time worrying. More time being silly; less time being a grown-up. “Have fun with your life,” the voice keeps saying, “while you still can.”
Flying Home
The first big difference I noticed in America was that we move very fast. Everything we do is fast. We want our food fast. We want our news fast. We drive fast. We pump gas fast. We stand before a microwave and shout, “HURRY UP!!!!”
Final Dispatch from the Camino
We entered Santiago de Compostela at 2:11 p.m. On foot. We’d been hiking since sunup. Our pace was slow. Our clothes, threadbare. I was muttering the 23rd Psalm—a kind of private meditation on the trail.
Average Joe
Are our thoughts, words, and deeds acceptable in God’s eyes? Or do we speak one way in public and another way in private?