The lives of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Lilias Trotter are a great inspiration for me. Both spent much time in prayer. Here are quotes from each. The morning prayer determines the day. Squandered time of which we are ashamed, temptations to which we succumb,…
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A Primitive Path at Tent Rock National Park
We visited Tent Rock National Park in New Mexico. I was easy to see how the park had gotten its name. A rocky trail weaves through narrow canyons and continues upward to the peak of the rock formations. A sign at the beginning of the trail was accurate—as…
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Easter: A New Covenant
Memories of the week leading up to Easter stretch back into my childhood. I was blessed to grow up in a home where we read the Bible and attended church regularly. Like any family we had problems, but the foundation for my faith developed from hearing the Word of…
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It’s About Religious Freedom
On Monday night our PBS station aired a documentary about Pope John Paul II. As I watched I was remembering the discussions that I had with my daughter about the Theology of the Body (writings by Pope John Paul II). Julia was attending Marquette University and was introduced to the Theology…
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Solving Social Problems or Shining Light in a Dark World?
Every summer I visit Calumet, Michigan. At one time it was the center of the copper boom with a growing immigrant population. Both of my grandfathers emigrated from Finland and worked in the copper mines. I know that Calumet had many bars to serve the immigrant workers. So it is…
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Covenant in the Bible and Perspectives on the Family
This month our women’s Bible study is beginning a study of the covenants recorded in the Bible. Chapter 17 of Genesis records the covenant God made with Abram and Sarai. With the establishment of the covenant God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. Having recently been in the New…
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It’s March and Spring is Coming!
It is March 1st and spring is coming. The temperatures are still up and down, but I am beginning to have garden thoughts. I am looking forward to seeing the blooms from the bulbs I planted last fall. The delight offered by gardens has been expressed over hundreds…
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Give Me a Steadfast Heart
Give us, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards. Give us an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out. Give us an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon us also, O Lord our God, understanding to know you, diligence to…
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Hope of the Gospel Overcomes Shipwreck
As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will…
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Is Medical Research Supporting Planned Parenthood?
For the past five months I have been studying the book of Acts. The book provides a picture of the early church, the work of the Holy Spirit and the challenges that believers faced. Times and circumstances are different now, but the challenges are similar. When we pursue truth…