Ask a grape what it feels like to get crushed, but not out loud or people will think you are crazy. The truth is, there are times when many of us have felt or will feel crushed beyond measure. No one likes the process. If the grape is gently squeezed, only a little bit of the…
My First Book Release!
What do you do when faced with one of life’s greatest trials? For seventy-two-year-old Larry Jones, it is a puzzling question he must wrestle with. After the passing of his beloved wife Sharon, a strong Christian woman, his life is found in a tailspin. Without a savior to keep him anchored, he is lost. At…
Mail in Heaven
A couple years ago, I went to a church service one morning in Dallas, Texas. The church reminded me of one back home that my brother went to. My group sat near the back, off the corner of the sound booth. In it, was a man running all the sound controls. He too, reminded me…
Will I Break Today
The night before a trip with my family, we stayed at a hotel in a city near the cruise port. When we got up in the morning, we went down to the dining area for the continental breakfast. My father sat at the table on a chair with four wooden legs and a piece of…
Learn from Others
The grand scheme of self-pity; it promises everything but gives little to no value at all. If you want to find someone to pity, how about finding a baby? They are so cute and innocent, often becoming the center of attention in a room filled with people. But they literally don’t know anything! Watching them…
Weary in Well Doing, part 6
One of the greatest examples of becoming weary in well doing for me was demonstrated by the life of my mother. For years she has demonstrated a commitment to our family unlike anything else I’ve ever witnessed. I have seen firsthand how it has taken its toll on her and watched as the stress mounted…
Weary in Well Doing, part 4
The director of the nursing home ministry from my church reached out to the volunteers and made mention of a woman who lived in an assisted living facility. She hoped to receive more visitors, if possible. I had only one other person to visit, so it made sense for me to check it out. From…
Doing it to Myself
There was once a time when I lived in a constant state of hate and anger. The only comfort known was that of an inescapable prison, which felt like my home. It was a false comfort because as familiar as it was, I knew there had to be something else beyond those walls. The sad…
Backup Plan
The voice on the other end of the phone call was one of concern. My dad fell earlier that morning. Despite my warning not to move heavier objects, he chose to move a small but heavy five tier plastic shelf from one room to the other by himself. It was the kind that easily falls…
Soul Sucking Moments
Has your soul ever felt sapped of the life force that drives you inside? While positive quotes are helpful, during these times uplifting words do not always help. I call them the soul sucking moments of life that leave you feeling completely drained. We push others away because we loathe the pain so much we…