CoffeeBreak With The Word

The smoke from a wildfire in Canada blanketed a third of the United States yesterday.  It was thick at my home, making my eyes water and apparently alarming many who called 9-1-1 to report a fire. Looking at my own dry lawn, I wondered about fire here.  I saw the story out of Ukraine about…

I drove past the house for many years and somehow became aware of the life changes that were going on there over time. At first there were two people sitting out front or walking their dogs. An RV was parked in the drive, the lawn was neatly cut. Then I noticed the RV was gone…

A friend is moving to a new area and in our conversation he commented that leaving his small, country church behind was hard because it is a nurturing community, led by a solid pastor, that is Biblically sound. He wondered about finding a good church in the town where they were re-locating.   America has…

Ever been lost, unsure of where you were and how to get to your destination? Me, too, but not in the last 15 years! A useful piece of technology exists in my phone that allows me to pinpoint my location anywhere in the world using the Global Positioning System.  If I am unsure of the…

As I write I am looking out the window of my home, across a beautiful landscape. I enjoyed a good night’s rest in a comfortable bed. My cupboard is stocked with plenty, my bank account has enough for my needs and more. God has given me great kids whose lives are a delight to their…

An old story tells about a man who walked a tightrope over Niagara Falls. The crowds who watched cheered him on. He pushed a wheelbarrow up to the rope and asked, “Who believes I can push this across the rope?” Of course the crowd shouted enthusiastically. Then he put their ‘faith’ to the test. “Who…

Life is complex, options many, situations sometimes confusing.  Several weeks ago, a friend who was dealing with bureaucracy asked me to help him. “Pastor Jerry, could you help me, make a phone call, find a way?”  We sat down together and sorted through the process. I made a couple of phone calls on his behalf. …

In my living room there are portraits of special people – my children and their families. We share an identity, a sense of ‘belonging’ that goes beyond shared interests. We are family.  They can call me anytime, for any reason, because they know that Dad loves them with a unique and special affection. We have…

A little boy who attends our Awana group is unruly and that’s saying it kindly. He disrupts, runs away from group time, and requires constant supervision. Several weeks ago, during our large group session, Sammy (not his real name) needed my attention so I brought him to sit next to me. In the next few…

“You stupid little …” the words were ugly and mean, flung at a child who needed correction but her words only wounded an already hurting boy. The husband who was frustrated by his wife yelled in anger, “just shut up!”  The older woman looked at the young parents who were struggling with a toddler having…