One of life’s reminders that God is both Sovereign and Creator. This random sunflower sprouted this Spring in one of our empty random pots. It has become one of our family favorites, and it reminds us that Father will do what he wills to do in his perfect timing. This pot was willing and ready to receive it! The work is not finished, though. When God created this lovely friend a few weeks ago, he had a plan for it. Did you know that a sunflower is heliotropic? One of its coolest attributes is that it orients itself to the sun…all of the time. Its scientific name, Helianthus, means that it is the “flower of the sun.” From the sunrise in the...
Read MoreHave you ever had a day when every conversation and every effort – no matter how small or large – was met with opposition? For some of us, this may typify our days; for others we may be a bit out of practice on how to respond when dealing with opposing forces. It’s so crazy, but I recall from my childhood having these kinds of days in school or on the practice field or with friends. It just seemed like nothing was going right. This really bothered me. So much so that I developed a strange coping mechanism based on superstition. Like, maybe if I wore my favorite clothes somehow that would avert the problems of the day. Of course this is absolute...
Read MoreDo you have that place, you know, that familiar setting that without thinking it triggers a conversation with your Heavenly Father? Sometimes you might not think you’re talking with God; maybe it’s more like self-talk. And, then again, maybe it’s a battle with the one who seeks to undermine your thoughts and steal your joy. I have experienced seasons where I have gone in and out of each of these discussions. It is absolute joy when I experience the nearness of Father. But I must confess that this does not happen as much as I would hope. It seems that my self-talk moments and/or battles with the deceiver are more frequent than I’d like. I have a...
Read MoreSo the question I’ve been mulling of late is: “Do my thoughts for my children produce fears in me or do they yield prayers of faith?” I will ask you the same. When you think about the present circumstances or the future plans for your kids, are you at peace or are you anxious? I have been stretched to my limits recently with this question. As a sidebar, (and I will take liberty to sidebar though my dear wife, Karla, despises my rabbit trails) my limits have looked very different as my kids have grown from baby-stage to elementary to now pre-teen. So, whatever your limit or circumstance, it is all important stuff to consider and think through. My recent...
Read MoreI forget Father’s plans for my family and at times allow the world to shape us. I am easily distracted and busied, but there is more. Father has promises to share. My time with Dietrich Bonhoeffer inspired me and brought me to my knees on behalf of my family. I would love to share it with you as I caught a rare, quiet moment at my kitchen table this morning. The next time you are driving in your car or once you put the kids to bed and find yourself on the couch or before you fall off to sleep yourself, listen to these words from Dietrich. Check out this 12 minute audio blog. Ron audio blog – words from Bonhoeffer on marriage and...
Read More