There’s a Spanish story about a father and son who become estranged. The son runs away and in a last desperate attempt to reconcile with his son, the father advertises in the Madrid newspaper. The ad read, “Dear Paco, meet me at noon on Saturday in front of the newspaper office. All is forgiven. I […]
There’s this passage of scripture in the book of 1 Kings where the prophet Elijah is just about at his wits end. He’s been going and going, and God says to him, Elijah, go up on the mountain – because I’m going to meet you there. And so Elijah goes up on the mountain, and […]
In one of his commentaries on Romans, pastor and scholar Eugene Peterson writes about the way the Apostle Paul opens his letter. In verse 8, Paul begins, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you…” Peterson makes the following observations: “Paul, mature in all matters of spiritual formation, begins, as life […]
I recently heard a story that a pastor once told about a church he served in Tennessee where an eccentric and flamboyant elder impressed him with her intense commitment to the faith. She was not pious in the least, but nonetheless, she was clear and articulate when it came to expressing her faith. One evening […]
There is an old story about a tailor who visits his rabbi and says, “I have a problem with my prayers. If someone comes to me and says, ‘Mendel, you’re a wonderful tailor,’ that makes me feel good. I feel appreciated. I can go on feeling good for a whole week, even longer on the […]
Today, I am deeply grateful for those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. Hope reaches others because of you. Thank you! Abraham Lincoln’s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favoritism. Lincoln suggested that Stanton write the officer a sharp […]
Can you recall a time when some spoke encouraging, inspiring, or affirming words to you? How did those words affect you? I know plenty of people who have been shaped by other people’s encouragement and have carried it around with them their entire lives. There’s a pastor I really like – a man named Rob […]
I recently saw a funny Peanuts comic strip. Linus says, “So, I had to tell the teacher that I just didn’t know….” Charlie Brown responds, “Maybe some questions don’t have an answer.” “Like what,” Lucy asks? Snoopy answers, “Like did Jesus ever own a dog?” It’s true. Charlie Brown is right. Some questions don’t have […]
An exhausted young mother dragged herself to the telephone when it rang and listened with relief to the kindly voice on the other end. “How are you, Sweetheart? What kind of day are you having?” “Oh, Mother,” said the woman, “I’m having such a bad day. The baby won’t eat, the washing machine broke down, […]
A recently read a touching story about a completely selfless act. Three times a month, Jermaine Washington and Michelle Stevens get together for what they call a “gratitude lunch.” They do this for a very good reason! Washington donated one of his kidneys to Stevens. Originally, they met each other at work and often ate […]
