Hello Friends, How are you doing today? Did you do anything fun to celebrate the Labor Weekend–the last official weekend of Summer? Did you go swimming, did you hangout with family or friends, did you go anywhere, or did you just stay home and relax? My wife and I popped on over to the Popcorn Festival in Casey, Illinois. We got some free popcorn, looked around at all the fascinating crafts, ate some lunch, and enjoyed being outside. We had a really good time, but we can’t believe that Summer is almost......

Read More

Hello Friends, I have some exciting news to share with you! Do you want to take a guess at what this exciting news might be? No, it’s not my birthday; and it’s not Christmas…yet. Let me tell you….DRUM ROLL PLEASE. This post marks the beginning of a new Chapter! Last week, the 200th Post was posted on this here website! Over several years, myself and Mrs. Sarah Dart have shared with you lessons that can help you become more like Jesus every day in what you do and in what you say.......

Read More

Today, as we begin a new school year, we take a moment to recognize and bless our students, parents, and teachers. To the parents, grandparents, and all in this community that help to care for these young people, I remind you of these words from Proverbs: “Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, CEB). Their success in the classroom can be aided and even amplified by the love, support, and direction you provide to them. Many times throughout the Bible,......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well, this is the week that many of you return to school…. Are you ready? Are you ready for new adventures, new stories, and to make new friends? Are you ready to learn new things? Some of you are ready, but some of you might be a little scared to go back to school–and that’s okay. Why? Because it is okay to be scared of something that we are unsure of. Many people are scared of doing something new or are scared because of what may have happened in the......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well, the first day of school is just around the corner…. The next time we meet, it will be the Sunday before the first day of school. Are you ready? Do you have all your school supplies bought, labelled, and put in your backpack? Do you have your schedules memorized? Do you know when the school bus is picking you up in the morning or when your mom or dad is dropping you off and picking you up from school? Are you ready for school to start again? When I......

Read More

Hello Friends, Have you ever been scared before? To quote Veggie Tales, do you get scared when the lights are off, when the “room is kind of creepy,” when the “furniture starts creeping,” or when a big and harry thing is “casting shadows on the wall”? Have you ever gotten so scared that you just shout “NOOOOOOOOOOOO”? Well let me tell you something…I have been scared lots of times. I used to be sacred of the dark. Sometimes I get scared to do new things or go up on high places or......

Read More

Hello Friends, This past week I have been thinking about kindness a lot. It seems that kindness is not something we practice a lot these days. People say things that causes hurt to others. People send messages or leave comments that cause pain. And some people would rather choose division and mistreatment than unity and understanding. This world could use a lot more kindness. Have you been kind or nice to someone this week? The Bible is filled with stories about kindness. But there is one story that comes to mind that......

Read More

Hello Friends, It’s been a rather pleasant week…in terms of the weather. We began with temperatures in the 90s, were blessed with a few rain showers, and ended the week with sunshine, gentle breezes, and temperatures in the low 80s. Let me tell you, as I type this message, my office window is open, and I am longing for the day when I can get back outside to do some work. I hope you have been able to enjoy this beautiful weather. I wonder if God will make us a promise of......

Read More

Hello Friends, How are you doing? Are you enjoying the Summer? Have you done anything exciting or anything that you are going to remember for a very long time? I know that Summer is well on its way, and I definitely know you don’t want to hear this, but school is just around the corner. Summer vacation is half over. Christmas is less than six months away. School supply lists are being put together and on the verge of being distributed. Teachers are beginning to make lesson plans. Students, like yourselves, are......

Read More

Hello Friends, Happy Belated Fourth of July! Did you do anything exciting to celebrate the 248th Birthday of our Nation? Did you have a cook out? Did you see some fireworks? Did you hold a sparkler? Did you spend time with either family, friends, or your neighbors? Miss Emily and I did some work around the house before we had a cookout with some great friends in the evening! As we were getting ready to leave for the cookout, Miss Emily and I started thinking: “If this is the 248th Birthday of......

Read More