Praying On Signal Knob
On the northern end of the Massanutten Mountain, Signal Knob stands likes a sentinel watching over the town of Strasburg and the surrounding countryside. Its stately summit can be seen from many miles and was used by both sides during the Civil War as a strategic lookout and communications post.…
The Eternal Divide
Over the last few weeks, winter storm after winter storm has rolled into the northwestern US and blown across the country dumping feet of snow and inches of rain from west to east. As I write this article, yet another threatens to add several additional inches of snow to the…
Two Train Wrecks From Our Past
One hundred and forty-two years ago this coming Tuesday, the Shenandoah Valley was shaken from its slumber about midnight. A twenty-five car Baltimore and Ohio train carrying people, livestock, and freight tragically crashed off the Narrow Passage trestle and plunged ten stories into the chilly creek below. Eleven human lives…
Coffee’s Transformation and Ours
I still remember the first time I ever tasted coffee. It was a freezing cold night at a Central home football game and I was a scrawny elementary kid. I was desperate for some warmth and my sister, Judy, compassionately and willingly shared her java with me. That sip, however,…
The Faith of Abraham Lincoln
This coming Monday is a holiday to honor the birthdays of all US Presidents. Although only Washington, Harrison, Lincoln and Reagan were actually born in February, the holiday that originated to celebrate our first president has expanded to include all forty-four. Washington’s actual birthday is February 22 but to create…
Don’t Let The Fog Stop You
During these chilly winter months, Nancy and I warm up remembering our sunny vacation last spring in Hawaii. The incredible beauty of those islands combined with the ocean breezes created the perfect setting to both relax and worship the One who made them! Even the memories are tropical. One of…
Putting Life’s Puzzle Together
Winter is the perfect season for jigsaw puzzles. Gathering around a card table with all the pieces sprawled out along with some hot chocolate, soft music, and good friends can be very enjoyable. Conversation is unhindered by the minimal mental effort expended to connect odd shaped pieces with their intended…
Historical Statues and Fallen Humanity
The western United States has received a welcome reprieve from devastating firestorms that claimed many lives, destroyed thousands of properties, and cost billions of dollars. We should all pray that 2018 will be more kind to these areas and that life and homes will be spared. Meanwhile, we in the…
God’s Giant Wristwatch Keeps Perfect Time!
This month is a special treat for sky observers. Moon gazers are treated to two supermoons as well as a lunar eclipse all in the same month. One of the supermoons has already passed on New Year’s Day but the second will occur on January 31. A supermoon is a…
Our Lives Need Expansion Joints
As I reflect back over 2017, I am thankful for so many blessings God has dumped in my lap yet again. He has given me more air than I can breathe, more food than I can eat, more friends than I am worthy of, more love than I can return,…