Dear Faith Family, Then Job arose and toe his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. There are at least twoplacesin the Bible whenthe word"worship"strikes me as out of place. You know, like when you discover an...

Dear Faith Family, But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death,James 1:14-15. Tucked in the valley between tworises in the terrainis a little taste of heaven. A three acrelake. A solace of still water. Nestledneatly in a pasture reflectin...

Dear Faith Family, Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!(Psalm 139:23-24) Well, it's that time of year. The "bug man" just came and performed our termite inspection. What was he looking for? No, not money! He was looking for any termite activity. And he was looking...

"Choosing to Bloom" Dear Faith Family, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all therest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are muchmore boldto speak the wor...

Dear Faith Family, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,(Romans ...

Dear Faith Family, Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days, (Psalm 90:14). He once described himself as, a "poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist etc. etc.!!!!" John Muir remains one of California's most important historical personalities and is generally still known today as one of the fat...

Dear Faith Family, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice, (Philippians 4:4). Remember Ryan's Buffet (the restaurant)? One of my daughter's favorites was "baby cabbages" (brussel sprouts). Ryan's had all she could eat on their buffet. It was great, tailor made for this dad. See, when mom was out, this dad and kids would hit the town! On one particular occa...

Dear Faith Family, When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" (John 1:38) Questions. It was July, 2002. While candidating for the call as pastor at Faith Church, we met with the youth group. There the students were invited to ask questions. Three ...

Dear Faith Family, Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also, Matthew 6:19-21. Our young family was enjoying a day...

Dear Faith Family, 11Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens ...