wp-1753043391164 I love that movie from the nineties called, “Newsies.” Homeless, streetsmart boys find employment selling newspapers, and they often do it by embellishing the headlines. Their theme is that they are “carrying the banner.” I thought of the movie, and its catchy song, this week at backyard Bible club. The kids in my neighborhoodContinue reading “Carrying the Banner”
Tag Archives: Jesus
Survey Says…
I only see that old game show “Family Feud” now in doctors offices, but I watched a lot of it as a child. I remember the host saying in his dramatic voice, “Survey says…” while all eyes turned to the results on the screen. Every summer, I get a general survey of what is troublingContinue reading “Survey Says…”
Big Sins, Little Sins
I cradled the little rubbery model of a 12 week old fetus in my hand. “You were only this big when your mother was three months pregnant,” I said to the little girl I was talking to. Her eyes grew wide. “I was so little!” she said. We talked about how God made her, plannedContinue reading “Big Sins, Little Sins”
Acquainted with Grief
A married couple came to me after Sunday school. They had eaten supper with one of our students, and they were troubled. “This little girl shouldn’t even know about the things she was telling us,” the wife said. The husband agreed and asked the girl’s name again so that they could pray for her. BothContinue reading “Acquainted with Grief”
Safe Room
Impending thunderstorms prompted the Spirit Lake Nation to announce locations for taking shelter last week. Many people planned to shelter in the sturdy recreation centers, and some of our church family planned to use the basement of the parsonage house as their place of safety. Everyone in our community formed a plan before we heardContinue reading “Safe Room”
An Earthenware Vessel
While we were at family camp last week, Israel bombed Iran, and I sprained my ankle. Forty-five people went with us to camp, and it was a wild and woolly week full of Jesus, fellowship, and fun. We were worshiping together around a campfire when a friend leaned over and showed me her phone screen.Continue reading “An Earthenware Vessel”
Hamstrung Horses
I recently visited the Hi-Line Railroad Bridge in Valley City, ND. In operation since 1908, the bridge is 3,860 feet long and 162 feet above the Sheynne river. It was amazing to watch a train cross it as I stood watching from far below. “Because the bridge was of vital importance in moving supplies andContinue reading “Hamstrung Horses”
Another Chicken Parable
The weather has been warm enough to move my chickens out of the coop and into the chicken tractors. Chicken tractors are mobile coops that roll around the yard. After a whole winter cooped up in the coop, the chickens should have been very happy to graze green grass and feel the Spring breezes. ButContinue reading “Another Chicken Parable”
A Prayer Listen
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil,” the Preacher wrote in his book of Ecclesiastes. This past Saturday, there were a lot of things I could haveContinue reading “A Prayer Listen”
Delusions
The prophet Jeremiah watched the young men of his generation trudge up into the hills to worship a delusion. Lots of young men traveled the paths up into the high places around Israel. They wanted to worship an idol that would guarantee their health, wealth, and well-being. They all lost their way. The idol consumedContinue reading “Delusions”
