Obedient Unto Death
It’s time to make hay while the sun shines! These warm June days are filled with haymaking for farmers all around our valley as evidenced by giant green marshmallows and smaller green cubes peppered throughout the fields. One of the hazards farmers face in mowing hay this time of year…
Between Memorial Day and D-Day In Billy Graham’s devotional, Unto the Hills, there is a reference to the Indian city of Kohima located far up in the Himalayan Mountains. A cemetery near that city holds the bodies of hundreds of Allied soldiers who were killed repulsing the Japanese advance into…
Parable of the Mighty Whitey Oak
Once upon a time, a small acorn fell to the forest floor. As it nestled among the leaves, it spent its first winter waiting. When the spring’s sun warmed the air and its rains moistened the soil, the little nut sent out a root below and a shoot above. Within…
God Deserves Better Than Sloppy Christianity
It’s graduation season again and it’s wonderful to see our young people completing various phases of their educational journeys. From preschool through advanced degrees, it’s time for tassels and diplomas. During these festivities, I’m reminded of my own school experiences. One in particular comes to mind from high school trigonometry…
She Did What She Could
May’s second Sunday is always a day of great celebration. Mother’s Day is a special time to honor our mothers if they are living or to remember them if they have passed on. In either case, all children owe their mothers an enormous debt of gratitude and we should all…
Dealing With What Lies Beneath
A little over thirteen years ago, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded causing the largest oil spill in world history. In short order, the name of the rig, Deepwater Horizon, became a familiar household term to describe the event and its aftermath. The mayhem was caused by…
The Power To Demolish Strongholds
When Nancy and I visited Israel in 2018, we had the privilege of touring Masada. This rock plateau is perched 1300 feet above the Dead Sea and after taking a cable car to the top, we were able to see for many miles in every direction. Masada is most well-known…
The Erosion of Soils and Morals
One of my favorite classes to teach was Natural Resources Management. I had the privilege of not only helping students learn to identify, describe, and appreciate many aspects of the created world, but also to provide instruction in their wise use. During the course, we covered forestry, fish, wildlife, surface…
The Deadliest Deadline Of All
I’m thankful to have the privilege to write a column for the Northern Virginia Daily that runs every Friday. My deadline for submitting this article, however, is on Wednesday of each week. I have to pace myself to have it written, proofread and formatted by midweek or it won’t appear…
Why Jesus’ Cross Was Heavy
Last Spring, Shenandoah County witnessed a resurrection that many never thought possible. After over 31 years of absence, Bible classes returned for students enrolled in Weekday Religious Education at each elementary school! What began last year with fourth graders expanded to include second graders this year and will grow even…