Through the Valley

In life we will all experience both mountain top and valley experiences, and everything in between. When we are at the top of the mountain, when things are going well, we have peace, contentment, and happiness. Yet few of us spend a lot of time at the top. Often, we find the slippery slope down,Continue reading “Through the Valley”

Through The Valley

As I went through the journey with stage 4 bladder cancer, I looked to the Lord, understanding, comfort, and peace. Along the way, He gave me biblical thoughts that met these needs. I journaled those and upon encouragement from others decided to publish them. I believe these words will help others going through difficult timesContinue reading “Through The Valley”

Get On with Life

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and takeContinue reading “Get On with Life”

Self-Inflicted Wounds

“Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the Lord your God, when he led you in the way?” (Jeremiah 2:17, ESV) When I was working at the United States Steel Corporation, I worked as a management trainee in the maintenance department. One day, one of our employees hit his thumb with a hammerContinue reading “Self-Inflicted Wounds”

Strengthened Faith

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound andContinue reading “Strengthened Faith”

Blessing of Concern

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.” (Philippians 4:10, ESV) I have not kept it a secret that I am currently amid a battle with cancer. While the battle is real and I knowContinue reading “Blessing of Concern”

Patience in Suffering

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4, KJV) Something dawned on me during the worship service on Sunday. As many know, I have been dealing with bladder cancer for somewhat short of a year now. This has included threeContinue reading “Patience in Suffering”

Part of the Territory

“And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which yeContinue reading “Part of the Territory”

Providential Purposes

“Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel; so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest; and that most of the brethren in the Lord, being confident through myContinue reading “Providential Purposes”

Safe Haven

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7, ESV) There once was a little boat, moored off a great land. One morning the boat looked to the horizon over the water and realized that a great storm had arisen. The smallContinue reading “Safe Haven”