Mustard Seed

Again Jesus said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.” Mark 4:30-32 (NIV)

Apparently Jesus understood the power of a small contribution. Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a tiny, little mustard seed. It starts small and then becomes a tall and powerful tree. You might remember that Jesus said if our faith is even the size of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Read more »

Still Learning to Have No Regrets

“If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.” Mercedes Lackey

“A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams.” ancient proverb

Our current teaching focus on “No Regrets” is hitting very close to home as Mary Lou and I approach a new season in our lives. In fact, it explains a whole new direction we are taking. Let me explain.

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Lessons

When I woke up on Friday, I knew something was up with my throat. I had not been sneezing or coughing. I didn’t have a runny nose. In fact, I felt fine, but I could feel my throat closing up on me.

AND, it just got worse. I talked with people at the Four:Twelve Event with Tom and Betty Tyndall on Friday night, but by the next morning I was struggling to talk. I gargled with saltwater, drank hot tea and water almost all day, but by the time I got to church, I was hardly able to speak. Somehow, I got through it.

Sunday, though, was worse. Read more »

Pressing On in 2010

I had made it this far; I sure wasn’t going to turn back now!

Several years ago, my son John and I had an awesome time mountain climbing in Colorado. On our last climb, we tackled an 8-miler above the tree line, and it kicked my 50+ tail big time. At three-quarters of the way, we moved above the tree line and stopped for a quick break and a bite to eat. The view was breathtaking, a testimony to God as you can see in the picture I’ve included.

As we rested for a few minutes, I was so pleased by our progress and had great confidence that we would make it. At the same time, getting to the summit would not be easy by any stretch of the imagination; in fact, I knew it would get tougher. While John’s nimble and fit 20-something body was soaring, I was huffing and puffing in the altitude’s thin air. But I just kept quoting a favorite children’s story: Read more »