By Karen O’Connor On a hot day, what could be more refreshing than a cold drink? My favorite is a fruit smoothie. I like mango-pineapple or peach and melon. One sunny afternoon I stopped at a local smoothie shop and glanced at the menu board before making my selection. The sidebar boasted a list […]
By Shawn McMullen Most of us are familiar with the nine Christian character traits Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23, New Living Translation). To see these characteristics displayed is proof of the Spirit’s presence and influence in a person’s life. […]
Dr. Barry Thornton Need I say that postage prices have soared over the years? And yet stamps have one attribute most of us could emulate: they stick to one thing until they get there! Perseverance is often daunting! It’s easier to give in or give up, especially if the journey presents obstacles that test […]
By Mary J. Davis One spring day, one of my students at the Christian preschool and daycare center brought me a bouquet of peonies. The other children, especially the girls, marveled at the beauty of the huge pink blooms. After letting the children gather around me to see the bouquet, and answering many questions, […]
By David Faust He had a withered hand. We don’t know why. Maybe he was born that way, or a disease crippled him. Maybe his hand was hurt in an accident—crushed by a rock or trampled by an ox. Or perhaps the man did something foolish to damage his hand—fell on the ground in […]
