It was a downpour, a steady rain falling with no sign of letting up. My friend and I were picking strawberries at a local patch.  The day had begun with cumulus clouds, but we decided to take our kids and go for it.  It ended up that the kids sat in the ...

Although Christians in the United States are not facing persecution comparable to imprisonment and death like some in other countries, America is undergoing other types of persecution. Marine Lance Cpl. Monifa Sterling was court-martialed after she was convicted February 1, 2014, for refusing to remove the verse, “No weapon formed ...

“Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.” 1 Samuel 15:3 In this story in 1 Samuel, Saul was to go and wipe out the Amalekites–every man, ...

While researching for the current middle-grade mystery I’m writing, I came across an interesting character by the name of Pisquetomen. Pisquetomen was a leader of the Lenape Indians during the 18th century and fought to protect his people from banishment and enslavement by the British. While his tenacity and determination ...

Have you heard about the “afterburn effect?” No, I’m not using fighter-pilot speak. I’m referring to a popular phrase in the booming fitness industry. As Christians, we know that spiritual fitness is more valuable than physical fitness. Scripture tells us: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value ...

Once upon a time, being on the cutting edge meant getting updated, useful information. Now, staying on the cutting edge means constantly following and adopting what’s “trending”; this involves anything that’s popular, hot, and well talked about. It doesn’t even have to make sense, nor does it have to be in ...

If only our dream experiences were similar to those of Joseph, Solomon, Jesus’ earthly father and other biblical characters. If only we were given divine instruction or were fortunate to meet heavenly angels in our unconscious states. But no. Our dreams are more often than not a whirlwind of unexplained ...

We were born into a war. Whether we realize it or not, there is a spiritual battle raging all around us. The Bible is clear that our battle is not a physical one, but a spiritual one. Our enemy is the devil and his kingdom of darkness. (Ephesians 6:10-18). In ...

Recently, I was asked to prepare a short devotional message for those attending an upcoming luncheon at our church for a group of half-way house ladies.  It would be a mixed crowd of women.  Some would know Jesus well and others would not really care much about the whole topic ...

Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Yen Reith of South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church have been charged with espionage and blasphemy. Michael was arrested December 21, 2014, and Reith was arrested on January 11, 2015. The church believes they are being persecuted for their Christian faith. Sudanese authorities are calling ...