Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
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Nearly thirty years ago Susie and I made a trip to Dayton to be interviewed, which would determine if we would Pastor here. On the way we came across a few sheep on the main highway a couple miles out of town. We stopped, moved the sheep off the road, found the owner, and helped them back to their pen. In all the trips we've made on that highway since, we've never again come across sheep on the road. I believe the Lord was calling us to Dayton to help care for His sheep. Jesus spoke of the...
A young man borrowed his brothers' car and on a sharp corner lost control. The car came to rest upside down in a 12-foot-deep ditch. Though he was able to climb out of the car safely, he'd been careless with what belonged to another. There are occasions when we borrow what belongs to another and it may become damaged in our care. If we are going to borrow from another, we need to be careful and respectful with it. God's Word is His Word. We must handle it, live it, and walk in it carefully. His...
We are unable to fully appreciate the magnitude of God's protective, loving care for us. "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" Ecc. 3:22-23. The 3-year-old little girl had enjoyed treats from the ice cream truck and had learned to recognize its coming. When she heard its cheerful music, she simply leaped off the top of the porch into midair towards its approach. Her father happened to be seat...
In the story "Acres of Diamonds" a farmer heard about other farmers who became wealthy by discovering diamond mines. He sells his farm to search for diamonds himself. Unable to find any, he became depressed and drowned himself. The irony of the story is that the farm he sold was later discovered to have one of the most productive diamond mines in Africa. The "acres of diamonds" were in his backyard all the time! We don't have to travel to the ends of the earth to be blessed! The Lord blesses us...
Pressure cookers have become very popular, only now some of them are called "instant pots." They cook faster while sealing in the flavor using pressure and heat. When the food is done, it is important to use the "pressure release valve" before opening the lid or injury and burns can result. Life can be like a pressure cooker. We can feel overwhelmed with worries, responsibilities, deadlines, demands, and fears that it all may go wrong. We need a "pressure release valve" that will release us from...
Family members laughed with excitement and the many horses present neighed as 250 Amish men lifted and carried a large barn 150 feet to a new location. It only took two minutes and forty seconds for the "hands on lifting up" to be completed on the Hochstetter farm in Ohio. Stepping in unison, hands filled with the portion they could carry, they moved a very large barn! These men provide us with a living picture of the scripture that says "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will...
It is common to be asked, "How goes the battle?" At times daily life is a fierce battle. In welcoming the New Year, we are aware that there will be battles to face. In the past, horses that carried soldiers into armed battle were called "War Horses." Sometimes they even wore armor. They were often trained to kick and bite and were adept at knowing the wishes of their master by sensing the lean of his body, allowing the rider to free his hands from the reins. We are in a battle of the heart and...
As part of the pre-game activities at the Army–Navy football game a formal "prisoner exchange" takes place. The prisoners are the cadets and midshipmen who spent the entire semester studying at the sister academy. In other words, they left their academy to live with their most intense football rivals for an entire semester. As they rejoined their friends they were embraced with great celebration. Watching this tradition, I was reminded that Jesus left His Heavenly home to come live among us. H...
A particular Dad attending his children’s Christmas program felt left out of the celebration. His unbelieving heart didn’t allow for the excitement and joy that his wife, children, and others were experiencing. It’s no fun being locked out of a celebration while watching others enjoy it. Many have difficulty enjoying Christmas. As wonderful as Christmas can be, some have said, “I can’t wait for it to be over!” It can be such a busy time that they feel overwhelmed by all their responsibilities. Others dread being around certain family memb...
When a lady unexpectedly dropped off a tasty crockpot meal with an unsuspecting family, she surprised them even further by saying, “And keep the crockpot! I don’t want it back!” When another lady was complimented for her nice purse, she emptied it of its belongings and handed it to the stranger. She said, “I get the most enjoyment out of things by giving them away” (a practice she often repeats). Jesus Christ taught giving in love. He said, “Freely you have received. Freely give” Mt. 10:8. At this Christmas season we celebrate God’s giving....
Years ago, Paul Harvey reported the story of a road grader operator who became aware that a nearby ambulance wouldn’t get the critical accident victim to the hospital in time. Taking matters into his own hands he plowed through a fence row and made a road that cut off the time and distance to the hospital. It was later he learned that the patient he helped save was his own daughter. The Bible teaches we “reap what we sow.” In such a personal way, the road grader operator reaped the benefits of what he had sown. The same is true of inves...
A young Dayton serviceman stationed in California shared that he was discouraged. He missed home. He missed Dayton. He happened to be in a public place where a radio was broadcasting the news. Strangely, a small, insignificant item was mentioned about Dayton, Wash. A warm, homey feeling crept over him. He took that news report as a special gift and was encouraged. The Bible says, "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land" Prov. 25:25. It is inestimable what a timely word...
A rancher told those of us sitting in the Doctor's waiting room that raising buffalo was more challenging than raising cattle. He said you couldn't rope and lead a buffalo like a cow, but that they could be led by laying out hay when they were hungry. The hungry buffalo would walk along, consuming the row of hay and end up being where the rancher wanted him to be. The rancher's explanation reminded me of the verse, "God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance" Ro. 2:4. The Lord leads...
Even Christians stumble and fall in their relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must honor God’s promise that when we acknowledge our sins to Him, He truly forgives us. We are promised: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”(1 Jn. 1:9). We are not honoring His faithful character to forgive us when we keep poking ourselves for something we are ashamed of in our past. We are not honoring His faithful and loving character when we allow our minds to d...
Mom's wooden mixing spoon was often used on our backsides. Though she didn't paddle too hard, it was her choice instrument for disciplining us kids. My siblings and I became skillful at hiding the spoon from her or "accidentally" breaking it when we knew that discipline was coming. The strange thing is that the very instrument that brought the sting of discipline was also instrumental in bringing us tasty dishes to eat. She used the spoon to mix up cakes, pies, meat loafs, and tasty casseroles....
A friend noticed a small pair of bronze shoes on the mantle and asked what they were. I responded with the truth: they were my baby shoes my parents had bronzed many years ago. My friend didn't believe me. As unaccustomed as he was to what was at one time a common practice, he thought I was making a joke. I wasn't. In the past parents sometimes had their baby's first shoes bronzed because they represented a time that was special to their family. The attractively preserved shoes spoke of a time...
We never know how much a kind greeting or warm hello can mean to someone who is going through a difficult time. A dad and his son were both in the service during wartime, serving in different locations. Not having seen each other for months and being concerned for each other's safety, they caught a quick glimpse of each other across the airport tarmac as they were each boarding flights to different places of duty. Their excitement was expressed in wild two-handed waves and smiles as each stood...
Prior to his conversion, the Apostle Paul (under the name of Saul) was responsible for the imprisonment of Christians, some of them being put to death. The Lord got ahold of him and he became a new creation in Christ. Paul referred to himself as "the chief of sinners" to whom God had shown His long-suffering mercy. There may be times when we need to be reminded that the Lord loves every person and desires them to be saved, regardless of what they've done or how horrible they have been. There...
Strange things happen with the telephone. Years ago, I hung up the phone after a visit with one of our church ladies. Later, when I went to make a call, I heard distant voices (which I recognized) on the other end, seemingly visiting together. It took a moment for me to realize that the call I'd made earlier was still connected. I spoke loudly into the phone repeatedly to ask them to properly hang up their phone (so I could make a call) but they couldn't hear me. The experience was a blessing....
My wife and I were alarmed at the conclusion of a church conference when a Pastor took off for home, forgetting his wife. He left her stranded in the church yard. She calmly stated that he often forgot her. She said that he would eventually remember and return for her. It's hard to imagine that kind of forgetfulness. The Bible tells of a woman who forgot. She was so taken by Jesus' words of living water that she went to tell others "leaving her water jar". She forgot her valuable and needed wate...
Recently an airline pilot made national news as a video recorded him taking an ax to a mechanical crossing arm that kept him from driving into a special part of the airport. As he struck with the ax again and again, he was expressing the frustration we often face when we are forced to wait, and we see no reason for it. Being patient while waiting can be difficult. There's nothing special about having to wait. We all must wait, whether it is in a doctor's office, grocery checkout line, or at a...
The drill sergeant confronted the new recruit and asked him, "What's the most important thing a soldier can learn?" The recruit wondered if he should say that it was shooting well, hand-to-hand combat, or marching straight. Before he could answer, the gruff sergeant said, "The most important thing a soldier can learn is to obey!" Servicemen and women are required to obey even when they may not understand the orders. Jesus Christ Himself learned what it means to obey. He "humbled Himself by...
A popular song entitled "The Cat Came Back" is about a Mr. Johnson who had personal troubles and desired to give his cat to a new home. He gave it to someone who lived far, far, away, but the cat came back the very next day. He then gave it to a woman who went up in a balloon and landed 90 miles away but the cat came back the very next day. After that he tried sending it out west but the train crashed, and yet the cat came back the very next day. Each time the cat came back the lyrics contain th...
A humorous story tells of three very old friends visiting. One shared that his eyesight was failing. Another said he could hardly hear anymore. The third said he was having trouble walking. The first one said, “Yeah, but at least we can all still drive!” (watch out!) It encourages us to come across people who joyfully proclaim that though they are growing old, their enjoyment of life is richer than ever. Some complain miserably about getting older. It is true that our bones may ache more, our eyesight dims, our steps are slower and our hea...
We may find ourselves being tempted to be unfaithful to the Lord when we least expect it. Our relationship with the Lord may be stronger than ever and still we find ourselves severely tempted. The Bible says “all temptation is common to man.” Even Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are - yet He did not sin” Heb. 4:15. The “tempter,” the Devil, has lots of practice at his craft and he works very hard. His methods may vary from one time to the next. Motivated by a hunger to destroy, he may surprise us with a new tactic we hadn’t seen...
