Three Unexpected Encounters That Deepened My Compassion for the Elderly
Reflecting on Modern Family Dynamics
This blog is written by Mark Morris.
In today's society, it's evident that we are navigating through a tumultuous period. The Bible prophesized times where what is morally wrong is seen as right, and vice versa, leading to widespread societal dysfunction. One of the most profound impacts of this moral inversion is on the family unit. When families fracture, it is
Encouragement - A Time to Speak
The Thing About Used Books
A meme that I saw the other day caught my attention. It stated that “I don't have too many books; it's just that I am deficient in shelving”. This could very well be true at my house. I have always been fascinated with books. When I was a child, I would walk several blocks to the city library and spend time looking at the books and carrying the library’s limit home, then I would bring them back and load up with more.
When I started in the ministry in 1978, I realized how important books were. It has often been said….
His Ways For the Surviving Spouse
But while the pain of loss invades and disrupts the momentum we once treasured, we must remember that God knows the way. The good news is that HE is the Master Re-router! HE makes a way when there seems to be no way! And HE travels with us, never leaving us alone! His map is our guide as we continue toward the destination HE has prepared for us.
Exodus 13:21: “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,so that they could travel by day or night.” Reminders of God’s past provision adorn the highway, giving us courage to …..
Tell Your Story!
Reimagining Direction
This blog is written by Carlton L Coon, Sr.
The destination is clear when an Airbus A321 departs Washington’s Dulles airport, bound for Chicago. During flight, a directional gyroscope is an instrument that helps keep the plane on course. Quietly and continuously, the gyroscope works to keep the plane headed to its destination.
The ongoing assessment and subtle reorienting are essential to a safe arrival. Having a clear destination on departure is wonderful, but the goal is to safely arrive at the destination. But magnetic fields, the curve of the earth, and wind affect flight. Thus, recalibration is constant, so subtly done that passengers are unaware.
What a great illustration of life. Those who arrive at their destination will have experienced ongoing recalibration. Remember the changes from adolescence to young adulthood? As Chris, our youngest son, said, “It was a lot more fun ……….
When Did I Get Old?
This blog is written by Mark Morris.
Getting Your Affairs in Order
IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, put a beneficiary on all of your financial accounts like checking savings CDs, Life Insurance, investments etc. You don't need a will for them to get to your money, just a death certificate. And make a list, preferably by hand instead of your computer, either give it to your trusted person, spouse or put it in your security box at the bank. If the person doesn't know you have a savings account or a CD at XYZ Bank, they can never go get the money. Make sure you have a trusted person that is a signer on the security box at the bank.
Sages as an Anchor on the Mountainside
Anchor has multiple definitions. In some way, each definition fits those of the Sage age. An anchor:
Finishes a relay race.
Is used to secure a vessel against the wind and waves.
Is figuratively a mainstay.
Reads the news.
In mountaineering, an anchor is a fixed object, be it a tree or pinion, to which a climber secures his rope.
The Dependable Pinion
In two epistles, Simon Peter wrote to those scattered abroad. He was no longer young. For the most part, Peter’s readers were
The Word Works
Navigating Final Wishes with Grace and Wisdom
The following blog is by Mark Morris. #grandparents
The new year is well underway, and hopefully all of the things that we have started out to do we are still in the process of doing. I hope all of that rearranging and decluttering and re-organizing of everything is coming along at a good pace. One of my goals this year, as I stated earlier, was to organize my books. The problem I have is when I am sorting my books, I find one that looks really interesting and I stop and read it. This takes me several days to get back to my organizing, and then I end up liking that author, and I try to find some more books of his to purchase online. It looks like my book collection will continue to grow, but I will try to get it organized.
As most of you know, we started raising our grandchildren over 15 years ago when their dad who was our son was tragically
Breaking the Silence: A Call to Connect in the Sage Age
Embracing the Role: Grandparents as Influencers and Blessings in the Lives of Their Grandchildren
Today there are over 2.6 million children in America who are being raised by their grandparents. If you’re not personally affected by this, then someone you know, undoubtedly is. Perhaps it is a relative or a neighbor, maybe even someone that you know in your church.
Often we see only the negative effects that this relationship can have on the children as well as the grandparents.
Today,I would like for us to realize that the situation…
A Dispenser of Grace
The blog is written by Barbara Westberg
Part 2 in a series of 3
The apostles in Jerusalem were in turmoil.
He’s here? Saul of Tarsus? He’s here in Jerusalem? He wants fellowship? The man who
Three Generational Families
The following blog is by Mark Morris. #grandparents
Grandparents raising their grandchildren is not a new phenomenon. Grandparents have always had a desire to do what was best for their children and their grandchildren. In America today
Grace for Grace
“And of his fulness have we all received, and grace for grace” (John 1:16).
We were pastoring a small church in a small town when some disgruntled folks started spreading lies about the church and us.
Frustrated and not a little angry, I took….
The Parable of the Machine in the Middle
The blog is written by Barbara Westberg
“Freely ye have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8). The vending machine ….
"Empowering Grandparents: Navigating the School Years with Confidence and Community Support"
The following blog is by Mark Morris. #grandparents
For a few more weeks, we will continue to look at some pointers that will help us be more successful as we
5 Great Things About St. Charles
The following blog is by Ruth Fross.
Yes, there are stop signs in St. Charles, but that is not all to be observed in this Historical setting. Nestled on the Missouri River, this River Town has welcomed fur traders, Missionaries,