August 31 would be my dad’s 97th birthday. As I reflect back on his life, I’m more and more grateful every day for this very good gift with which God blessed me. Dad loved Jesus and people and worked hard to set a good example for us kids as…
Mud Puddles and Slimy Pits Have you ever fallen into a mud puddle? When we were kids, we not only fell into them, we jumped into them with much joy and enthusiasm. As adults, we generally try to avoid these and view them as obstacles rather than recreational opportunities, but…
God has blessed me with two wonderful careers. My current job pastoring was preceded by seventeen years teaching Agriculture, Natural Resources and Leadership in the public schools. With the first two years in Culpeper and the last fifteen at Central, I made many friends and learned much about myself, others,…
According to Wikipedia, a vehicle assembly plant in Russia encloses nearly 230 acres under roof and claims the title of the world’s largest building. As enormous as this is, however, it is not the biggest structure made by living organisms. That honor is held by the Great Barrier Reef…
It’s hard to believe but summer unofficially ends for Shenandoah County students this coming week. It ended this past week for teachers and it never really began for administrators. As the annual ritual of heading back to school stares us in the face, it’s a good time to revisit some…
In 1631 the royal printers of London, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, produced a reprint of the recently translated Kings James Bible and promptly rolled out roughly 1,000 of these holy books. They were destined for use in churches and universities since most common folks could neither read nor afford…
Summer is a great time for hiking! Pack your bug spray and plenty of water and thousands of trails are waiting for you to explore them! We are fortunate to live in the Shenandoah Valley which offers a multitude of such potential adventures. Many of the trails on the…
One of the most popular fast food restaurants in America today is Chick-fil-A. Their delicious entrees combined with talking cows and efficient drive thru service have earned them a coveted spot among the top eatery chains in the nation both in terms of volume and profits. It’s particularly amazing considering…
One of the most wonderful blessings God has given to us is His Holy Word. The Bible is a rich treasure of wisdom, guidance, comfort, and commands. How blessed we are that instead of just creating us and turning us lose with no direction, God provided us with an owner’s…
Along with beautiful flowers and bountiful rains, springtime also marks the season of graduations. Many colleges have already held their commencements and Shenandoah County seniors will turn their tassels this coming week. As the graduates cross this threshold, they embark on a new segment of life’s journey. The future…