What a loser! I mumbled under my breath. I had a sudden impulse to check my online dictionary for the meaning of failure. I had to laugh out loud to keep from crying when I read the definition staring back at me: Failure: lack of success, the omission of expected or required action, the action or state of not functioning. Synonyms: loser, underachiever, ne'er-do-well, disappointment. Oxford … [Read more...] about What You Must Know When You Feel Like a Failure
Encouragement
Where I Can Always Go
"Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress."Psalm 71:3 (NIV)I was fifteen years old and did not want to return to Congo (then Zaire). There were going to be some fearful changes in my life when I stepped back on African soil. School had already started a week earlier by the time we arrived in the capital city. The mission … [Read more...] about Where I Can Always Go
In Memory of Lukey
I wrote this the day we buried Luke in Nashville last August. Today would have been my precious nephew's first birthday. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4 Dearest Luke,We will sit under a tent today and say our final good-bye to you. Your daddy and mommy have decided … [Read more...] about In Memory of Lukey
Fair Weather Faith
"Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before."Joel 2:23 (NIV)My son and oldest daughter are on sports teams this spring. I just got a cancellation for a practice due to inclement weather. We have had several gray and rainy … [Read more...] about Fair Weather Faith
All That Concerns Me
"The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalm 138:8 (NKJV)Overheard In An OrchardSaid the robin to the sparrow,"I would really like to knowWhy those anxious human beingsrush around and worry so."Said the sparrow to the robin,"Friend, I think that it must beThat they have no Heavenly Fathersuch as … [Read more...] about All That Concerns Me
The Way Maker
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them."Isaiah 42:16 (New International Version)The scorching Congo sun was well on its way to sinking behind the Ntsiangobo hill on the west side of our mission station as I … [Read more...] about The Way Maker
