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All the animals and creatures in the forest were happy. Except one. The Koga bird was the most beautiful bird that had ever existed-it was pure white; it had magnificent wings and long white feathers on its tail. When it flew overhead, all the creatures looked up at the Koga bird. It was such a pure white that tears would come to their eyes, and they would have to blink not to be overwhelmed by the magnificent bird. Koga knew he was the most magnificent creature ever made....
Have you ever watched deer enjoying refreshing streams of water? Living creatures in the animal kingdom experience a compelling yearning for water driven by their thirst. But humans, who are also part of God's creation, are also familiar with this yearning for water. Water satisfies and hits the spot. It brings life to our tired bodies and revives us. Without water, we die! Deep inside our beings, we have an emptiness that thirsts for fulfillment. Many people seek to quench th...
Do you have some bad memories? Embarrassing moments? Anything you'd like to forget? Maybe it was the time you put both contact lenses into the same eye. Or that day your twin sister forgot your birthday. No! I hate when that happens. Or you woke up from a sound sleep screaming because your braces were stuck together. And you were in the front row of church at the time? Ha! Perhaps you'd like to renenber the time you showed up for work and were greeted by Anderson Cooper of...
For years I've written about our awesome Creator, but sometimes I wonder how much truth sinks into my own heart. It seems that enjoying a tasty meal with all of its flavors or admiring a beautiful landscape is different than trusting the One who gave us all of it. I get frustrated with my own disconnect sometimes. I praise God because He is so great, but then I hesitate when He asks me to trust Him. Why is that? Do any of you have such issues? A situation from over 20 years...
Question: I have a friend who's an inmate. She accepted Jesus while being incarcerated and will be getting out soon. She's afraid that she'll fall and go back to her old life when she gets out. Any suggestions that I can pass on? Answer: First off, just let me say, "Praise God!" Your friend's story is a beautiful reminder that Jesus still saves; there isn't a concrete wall thick enough to shut out His light. I understand the emotions your friend is experiencing. Before I...
When I was walking into our local grocery store the other day, a man was approaching the entrance from the opposite direction. Seeing him look towards the parking lot, I did the same. A woman had parked in the handicapped parking stall and was exiting her vehicle. Thinking nothing of it, I looked away and continued into the store. The man however, must have thought something different, because he said, "She sure doesn't look like she needs to park there!" I wasn't sure I heard...
"The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:9 A few years ago I met Carl-we were singing at the same Gospel Jamboree. While I was packing up equipment afterward, he told me that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer's. That was kind of a shocker, but I was really impressed by his attitude: "As long as I can, I'll keep...
During the month of January, I spent four days at a Dakota Nation Winterfest celebration at Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. This event is one of the largest Indigenous sport and cultural events of its kind in Canada. During this weekend event, everyone must pass through a long hallway to get to the hockey rinks and other venues. As we walked through the hallway, I noticed a long display of framed pictures of individuals who played on the Brandon Wheat Kings hockey team over various...
As I've been conducting my duties as Chaplain at the Salvation Army in Edmonton, Alberta at the Edmonton Centre of Hope, I've been learning more and more about myself and others. I've also been conducting workshops and sessions at other not-for-profit organizations and churches. All of this has taught me my latest life lesson. That life lesson is that I need to listen more and speak less. When any of us is listening to someone else talk, we are often quick to want to jump in...
A pirate captain set out to retrieve a treasure chest he had buried, full of gold and silver-the booty he had plundered. It was hidden deep in a swamp at the center of the island. He and his first mate bravely entered the swamp and soon were up to their knees in water. Suddenly the Captain banged his shin against something hard. He reached down and pulled up a treasure chest. Prying open the lock, he gazed upon the loot. "Arrr matey," said the Captain, "That just goes to show...
The tree in front of our house appears dark and bare against a gray sky. It looks dead; yet by the time you read this it will be full of pink blossoms. The dry, brown grass will turn green and life will begin to flourish once again. The transformation lifts my spirits. Spring brings new lambs, calves and colts to farmers and ranchers and fawns, kits and cubs to the fields and bush. So much new life all at once! "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity...
It was light, but it was there. For the last three mornings, I've been waking up with a headache right behind my eyes. The cause was no mystery. I'd been working on removing it, with soap and water, but I didn't have the right tools. My soap and water did nothing. The pesky green mold hung right in there. The Administrative Segregation Unit (The Hole) cells are very old. Even if the cell is cleaned daily with a little soap and water it still looks dirty. The dirt has settled...
It was such a sad day. Our beloved choir leader had died suddenly from a heart attack and now the church was packed with church members, family and friends for his funeral and to say our last goodbye. Jeff had been our choir leader for twenty years and was loved by everyone. He always had a smile and a word of encouragement. He could never be replaced, but of course the church would hire a new choir leader but no one could ever replace Jeff. Tears flowed like fountains, and I...
Question I'm a new believer but I'm the only one in my community. I know I need the encouragement from other believers, but it's really hard to get out and get that fellowship. Any suggestions? Answer: Welcome to the family of God, my friend! It is amazing to realize that when you made that decision and commitment to accept God's greatest gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior, you took on a new identity. The Bible says you became a new creation (1 Cor. 5:17)....
Spring is in the air in our little home community in central Alberta. Snow is melting, and everywhere you look, signs of seasons past have left their mark. Roads are filled with the leftover signs of snow-gravel. Brown grass is now exposing the "sleep" of winter, just waiting for spring showers and signs of new life-green grass and leafy buds on trees. Children are anxious to get out their bikes and are willing to do so, donning gloves to protect their fingers against the...
I read your pamphlet and would like to say thank you for your benevolent and gregarious work by reaching out to people in need. There are a lot of souls still suffering and in need of such literature to allow personal growth and understanding. In today's society, I'm sure a lot of suicides get labelled as accidental overdoses or similar type incidents and people need to understand there is help out there. Just know your work has touched a soul. Thankfully, R. D. P.S. I like...
Mom told me a story once about T. Texas Tyler, an alcoholic country and western singer who became a believer back in 1958 (before my time). As his music morphed to country gospel, TTT began closing his contractual obligations that were part of his former life as a country and western star. Hollywood and the Grand Ole Opry weren't that hard, but one promoter wouldn't let him out of an "ironclad" contract for a series of fairs and rodeos and threatened him with a lawsuit if he...
I went for a massage one week before Christmas. What I thought would be an hour of relaxation turned into an hour of experiencing the sharpest fingers I had ever felt. OK, his fingers weren't literally sharp, but if you've ever gone for a deep tissue massage, you know how "sharp" those fingers can be. The masseur said he felt some tense muscles in my hip and said he could get rid of those knots if I allowed him to "get in there" and work them out. I agreed and spent the next 4...
The phrase "Fear not" appears in the Bible many times. It is strange that God has to remind us constantly not to be afraid. The Almighty God of the Universe loves us, and yet we are constantly afraid of a thousand things that might or might not happen. We need constant assurance that God loves us and is watching over us. When my children were small, I often held them on my lap and read the Bible to them. We lived on a farm in Oklahoma, and there were thunderstorms and tornadoe...
I don't encourage graffiti-painting buildings without being employed to do so. But there is some funny graffiti out there. A huge billboard says, "This year thousands of men will die from stubbornness." Below is spray-painted, "No we won't." Below a sign, "In case of fire, do not use elevator," someone spray-painted "Use water." In large letters on a plywood divider it says, "Bill posters will be prosecuted." Below, it says, "Bill Posters is an innocent man." On the back of a...
The powers of the Ad Seg (The Hole) world control the doors. They open and close at their wills. No resident of the hole has any control over the opening and closing of the doors, but the residents do play a part in the process. Let me explain. In order to go through the door, the resident must first go through the small door. Safety and high security are at the top of the agenda in the hole. No inmate steps outside his cell without being cuffed first. This is a must, no...
Q: I'm a believer, and I've been married to my wife since before I accepted the Lord. She doesn't want anything to do with my faith in Jesus. I'm not sure if I should stay or go. Does the Bible say anything about my situation? A: First and foremost, as a pastor, it is always my prayer and counsel for a married couple to remain together. Marriage is indeed hard work and a long work, as well, when two individuals with various differences decide to live together in marriage...
I wanted to express my gratitude to your ministry for your faithful giving to the Prison Chapel which lives on the donations provided by donors such as yourselves. Your contributions are popular and sought after by our brothers here at Halawa. Our men grow in the word thanks to inspirational messages and current event updates provided by your donations. The most recent "Intertribal Life" publication that you sent will most certainly grab the attention of the men...
"Come now, let us settle the matter," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18 (NIV) I grew up on muddy roads. I think I was 15 before I saw pavement-okay that's stretching things! But bad roads were the norm where I came from. I remember a time when it was raining for about a week, and I'd been driving on the dirt and gravel of those back-country roads. My black...
