In His Own Words
October 20, 2024 by Marty Norman
Filed under Family Focus
By Marty Norman
Words are a powerful thing. They can build up or tear down. With just a slip of the tongue hearts can be wounded, families destroyed. In contrast, words also have the power to heal, encourage, and give comfort, aid, and love. It’s all in the motivation.
But words alone are not enough. The actions that follow, that support the words, are the real indicator of the heart. Here’s where the rubber meets the road.
Scripture tells us to let our yes be yes and our no be no. In other words, say what you mean and mean what you say. The best way to know a person is to listen to his words.
Variety Is The Key
October 19, 2024 by Cami Checketts
Filed under Health and Fitness
The human body is amazing! It adapts quickly to stresses placed upon it. This was a very good characteristic for our ancestors, but not so great for us.
Stuck in a modern society of ease and convenience–with washing machines, fast food, and speedy cars–we also have obesity, heart problems, and many different health challenges that come with inactivity.
Because our bodies are so impressive, we have to work harder and challenge ourselves differently to maintain optimum health and vigor. When we look at living better and longer, we would be wise to remember what Theodore Roosevelt said: “Nothing worth gaining was ever gained without effort.” If we want to increase our fitness and health, we have to be willing to push ourselves. But if we do the same activity over and over again, we will really have to work hard to keep seeing results.
Shout!
It was one of those days. I tried everything and nothing worked.
Whenever we visit my mother-in-law in Southern California, I try to make myself useful by doing some home maintenance. She knows I’m not very handy and gives me only the easy tasks.
This time, the water filter cartridge needed replacing. I shut off the water valve under the kitchen sink and removed the filter housing. I tried to twist the filter cap off, but it wouldn’t budge. I used my upper body to wring the cap open, but nada. Then I tried to force it open with a screwdriver, but it still wouldn’t loosen. My wife, Gail walked into the kitchen and saw me struggling. “Let’s pray,” she said. “Jesus, we know You want to be involved in even the little things. Please help Bob with the water filter.”
Waiting On The Lord
October 13, 2024 by Kathleen Brown
Filed under For Her
Carrying a tall plastic tumbler half-filled with water in one hand and a pair of orange-handled scissors in the other, I stepped gingerly off the gravel road into the ditch. I had to lift my feet high over scratchy brown weeds while simultaneously avoiding the ant hills scattered over the sandy soil. Too late it occurred to me that sandals didn’t constitute appropriate footwear for my mission.
Life gets messy, doesn’t it? But there are rewards for those who persevere.
Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity
October 11, 2024 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Family Focus
On a muggy summer morning a few months ago, a creak and rustle disturbed my deep vacation slumber. I slit one eye open to see my teenaged daughter creeping toward my bathroom. My bleary gaze rolled to the clock: seven a.m. “What are you doing up so early?” My voice was thick and groggy. Remember this happened in the summer, and my daughter is a teenager. Normal rousing time for her would be eleven.
