Devotions

A devotion for your day: Le Petit Baton Rouge

This devotion placed in the Blue Ridge Mtn. Christian Writer’s Conference contest.  I hope it blesses your heart. Le Petit Baton Rouge  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. -Jesus in John 13:35 When you step out of your vehicle at Avery Island, Louisiana a sharp pungent odor burns your nostrils.   …

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“An Easy Mark”

  An ‘Easy Mark’ To call someone an “easy mark” is normally not a compliment. We use it in the context of taking advantage of someone and associate it with weakness. I have a story that explains the term’s origin. I’ll let you—the reader—decide if being an easy mark is a compliment or not. Thanksgiving and then Christmas are good …

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Are you “doing what you were born to do?”

My ability won’t take me very far My fragility is a testimony of Who you are.  -“Jar of Clay”    Aaron Tate/Caedmon’s Call When it comes down to it, there’s little we can do by ourselves. When it comes down to it, we can get a lots done working with others. But the only way eternal differences are made are when …

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A devotion for the birds

For the birds May is a great month for birds. This morning was foggy with humidity you could stir with a stick, but it didn’t phase the birds. They slept in a few minutes and began their rituals slightly later. The bluebirds won the morning battle of the birds.  A quartet of them serenaded us as we walked. Arriving back …

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“I Come to the Garden . . . .”

In the Garden It’s always been one of my favorite places. The prayer garden at Dry Creek Camp. It was evidently one of Harvey Jones’s also. He wanted his ashes spread there. His memorial service was yesterday.  It was a celebration of a richly lived life.  Harvey loved his Lord, his wife Sissy, and his family and it was a …

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Just ’cause a dog can whip a skunk . . .”

  It’s true.  A good cur dog can whip a skunk any day of the week. However, a smart cur dog won’t. It’s simple: you can win the fight and still lose.  I’ve seen dogs carry the scent of skunk for weeks and wallow in dust, mud, and cow manure trying to get rid of it.   If that dog could …

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Solving a problem with a sandwich and cup of coffee

A cup of coffee . . . and sandwich with Paul I hope you’re enjoying our thoughts on the short book of Philemon.  I ask for your comments and insights.  That is how we learn best! In verse 1, Paul identifies himself as a “prisoner of Christ Jesus.” This humble term identifies Paul and is the first floorboard in building …

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Thoughts on Philemon

What Train are you on? It’s imperative to listen . . . when a man writes from prison, or a dying man preaches his last sermon. Paul wrote his letter to Philemon from his favorite writing office, a Roman prison cell. “God of new beginnings, here I am again.” “I’m so thankful God is a God of second chances.”  – …

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Fist fight in the Principal’s Office

Tuesday, April 17 As they say, don’t try this at home.   The two teenage boys marched into my office.  One had a torn shirt and the other’s reddened eye would be black by tomorrow. They were both breathing like mad bulls from their fistfight by the high school lockers. They were now my charges in my charge in the …

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On Work . . .

On Work and Working David Cole is an artist and he’s been one of my best friends since the day we met in 1961.  We’re both Dry Creek boys who’ve never veered far from our roots. David is a talented saddle maker.  With his hands, he creates works of beauty that are enjoyed by folks across America. In many ways, …

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A Cup of Encouragement . . . with Curt

The words of an encouraging friend are like ice water on a hot July afternoon.       Wed. March 21                 Where seldom is heard a discouraging word . . .  Recently I shared a Denver taxi ride with a fellow writer.  Her speciality was using social media and blogs to impact …

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Two of my common heroes: St. Patrick and Joseph

March 17, 2012 St. Patrick’s Day   I’d never linked two of my heroes until today. Joseph Jacobson (Joseph of the Old Testament in Genesis 37-50) and Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Notice I did not call him St. Patrick of Ireland.  Patrick was British.  He was kidnapped as a young teen from his family’s estate and brought to …

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