Hello Friends, Well…have any of you been able to warm up after these chilling temperatures that have paid us a visit these last few todays? I will be honest, I was shocked to see the ground, early in the morning, covered with frost. I haven’t even gotten my sweaters and sweatshirts out of hibernation yet! However, I was very thankful when the temperatures decided to warm up over the weekend. So, are you ready for chilly and cooler temperatures or do you want it to stay warm for a little while longer?......

Read More

Hello Friends, How are you doing? The other day, I was thinking, how lucky we are to be part of the family of God! Even when we mess up, God still allows us to belong to His family. Even when we don’t listen to our parents or teachers, God still allows us to belong to His family. And even when we argue with Him, God still allows us to belong to His family. How wonderful is that? It’s very wonderful!! A hymn written by Gloria and William Gaither asserts, “I’m so glad......

Read More

Hello Friends, How are you doing? Have you been enjoying the first two weeks of Fall? That’s right, Fall has been around for two weeks already!! I can’t believe it. And after a few days of rain and gloomy skies, we finally get to experience some crisp mornings and sunny–with a slight breeze–afternoons. I am definitely ready for Fall! (And to get back outside to finish up some yard work!) Thinking about yard work, I have realized that taking care of the yard at the house is sort of my responsibility: I......

Read More

Hello Friends, It is officially Fall!! (Actually, it’s been Fall for over a week now!) Have you done anything exciting or fun to celebrate this new season? Have you jumped in a pile of leaves? Have you roasted marshmallows? Have you cooked any hotdogs over a bonfire with your parents? Have you enjoyed the cooler temperatures as you went on outdoor adventures and excursions? I hope you have found some time to enjoy the beginning of this new season before it gets too cold to do anything outside. Unfortunately, because of a......

Read More

Hello Friends, Can you believe that it is OFFICIALLY FALL?! Just before 8:00am this morning, Fall arrived at our doorsteps. Pretty soon the leaves will change from their green color to an array of majestic colors like red, yellow, and orange. Pretty soon those leaves will be raked into giant piles all over the yard. Pretty soon people will be walking around wearing sweatshirts and long pants. Pretty soon neighborhoods will be hosting weekend wiener roasts and making s’mores. Pretty soon families will spend their Sunday afternoons watching football on television while......

Read More

Hello Friends, Well, I looked out my office window the other day and noticed a few things: the rain drops on my window, a few leaves on the ground, some red leaves dispersed amongst the green leaves in the trees, and a gloomy sky. I don’t know if I should be saying this or not, but I think FALL is closer than we might think. Are you ready? Not only is God’s created nature showing signs of change, but so are our homes and communities. There are Fall decorations on my doors,......

Read More

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