Many Christians privately go to their pastors to receive spiritual and moral guidance on a number of topics, but not all directly attend a formal “confession”, which is a personal confession of one or more sins to a pastor.  A key component of the formal confession is the absolution of ...

If you are a dog lover here is your chance to adopt a needy canine. “More than 8 million animals end up in shelters every year and only half of them make it out.” This is what Oscar winner Hilary Swank said in reference to a dog show to be ...

“You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.  I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; (Psalm 139: 13-14). Imperfections. That is all I used to see when I looked into the mirror: Eyebrows too thick, nose to thin, and way too ...

With a face fighting hard to conceal guilt, Isabella casually walked into the room. Unbeknown to her, the peanut butter fudge cookie she had just devoured in secret, left bold crumbs sprawled across the corners of her mouth. “Isabella did you take a cookie from the jar?” Her mother asked. ...

“And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him] (Genesis 5:24 Amp). A couple of men in the Old Testament, Enoch and Elijah, never tasted death. Fascinatingly, the two enjoyed glorious home-goings. Elijah in a chariot of fire and Enoch’s ...

The homeless. Children in the hospital. Nursing home residents who have little or no family. At this time of year, our thoughts are more aware of those less fortunate than ourselves. What can we do to help? One of the most important acts of kindness you can ever do for ...

1.  Put your faith in God.  We all put our faith in something.  Some of us put our faith in money or jobs or possessions.  All of that could be gone tomorrow.  To have real faith in the One True God, it’s breathtaking. (Romans 10:17) 2.  Balance.  When I am in ...

‘Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.’ Luke 5:16 (HCSB) Deserted places.  Sound ominous, don’t they? But are they always a ‘bad thing’? Jesus knew the value of being alone.  Never completely alone, but alone with His Father.  Even though Jesus was God, He also was a man. ...

Winter is coming to Iowa soon. I feel it with the first fallings of snowflakes as they dance and glide past my windshield preparing my mind for the next phase of the changing seasons. The bundling up of the kiddos, hats, mittens, scarves, boots, and the all-inventive snow pants. Finding ...

Battling weight issues has taught me much over the years.  Made in the image of God, we human beings have three parts as well:  body, soul and spirit.  For health, all of those parts must work together.  Weight and health are body issues that have helped me delve down to ...