Category: Devotional

Breakfast on my patio is one of my favorite simple pleasures. I am often able to watch the sunrise and witness some of God’s creative genius. Today I observed a crowned bird in the oak that shades my backyard and also gives refuge to owls, woodpeckers, cardinals, and many other unique creatures. Listening to their…

Like a pebble in a shoe, little things can dominate and control our spirits. The lives of my wife, Cathy, and I have been so dominated for the past few weeks. It was a very small thing, only a six-millimeter something hidden in her breast. It couldn’t be felt or seen without instrumentation, but it…

“What’s your secret?” asked the desk clerk as we checked into a hotel to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary. I quickly answered that there is no secret, and, after taking more time to think about it, I sincerely hope that “Golden Couples” is not considered an exclusive club or secret society. Therefore, in an effort…

Last night, I did something that Jesus never did. After thirty-one days on the road, I slept in a home that I own. I kind of like it. It’s not that I’m complaining about travel, which I do enjoy. Thirty-one days in hotels, friends’ basements, and relatives’ couches does have a certain appeal. My wife…

California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. That’s a lot of territory to cover in a week, and I admit to being a bit road weary. However, I have not yet arrived, so I will continue to travel. Where is the final destination? I’m not sure. When will I get there? I…

Matthew John, the pastor of Lake Avenue Church, told a story about a tour he says completely changed his perspective. His story has now changed my perspective and perhaps it will also change yours. Pastor John said that on a visit to New Orleans, he toured a former slave plantation. At the end of the…

In our final interview with Biblical heavyweight, Joseph bar Jacob, he opened up about his emotional moments and shared what he has learned about forgiveness. Arrow: Joseph, today I was hoping to get a better picture of your emotional side. In all of the stories about your life, there are five that stand out to…

Our exclusive interview with Joseph bar Jacob continues with his shocking revelation of the reason for pretending not to recognize his brothers. If you were reading this on the internet, you would need to scroll through about forty ads, and then surrender your name, email address, and social security number before we would give you…

Although The Lake Arrowhead Arrow is not a real newspaper, Lake Arrowhead is a real place. We rented a cabin there to celebrate our fiftieth wedding anniversary with our children and grandchildren. Each morning, The Arrow introduced our theme for the day with an interview and some discussion questions. Over the next three days, I…

In downtown Oklahoma City, there stands an incredible tree – incredible because it ought to have died. Instead, it is celebrated as The Survivor Tree. Why should this tree be dead? first of all, because it is an American Elm. This species of tree was once the most popular tree in the country. Prized for…

Growing up in a beautiful American suburb, I remember the proud and patriotic stirrings in my heart each time I heard our National Anthem. “O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave,” I would sing out as a true believer. Sadly, in recent years, I have felt that America is less…

“Why is it so hot in here?” asked my wife as she strode to the thermostat to confirm her diagnosis. “It says that its 77 degrees,” “I didn’t touch it!” I reacted. Of course, I didn’t. Setting temperatures is something I never do because I seldom notice them. My wife is different in that she…

“You are coming with me,” my daughter insisted as she made plans to attend a Tony Orlando concert at Epcot. It wasn’t that she is a fan of the singer, or even knows much about him. Her reason for wanting to go was that over the years, people have often told me that I look…

As we pulled up to the industrial complex hoping to find a good meal, I was reminded of a term I learned in my high school computer class: “Garbage in, garbage out.” How did we get to this place, and why weren’t they serving steak? It was quite simple really; we had fed the wrong…

Why would anyone take the time to write an essay when they have a robot that can do it better? That seems to be the attitude of some of my students. With the sudden and rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), anyone with a computer also has a hard-to-detect cheating machine. Recently, two students both…

                She cut my face open four times last Wednesday, leaving a large wound beside my nose, plenty of stitches, and a black eye. “She” is a dermatologist, and the procedure is called Mohs surgery, which is a treatment for skin cancer. Each time I was called to the cutting room, the doctor would slice…

It was a proud moment as I watched my students receive their diplomas. I was there when these students struggled, procrastinated, worried, failed, tried again, and excelled. But at the graduation, there was only celebration, no matter how rocky the path to the goal. Since I love a good metaphor, I can’t help noticing the…

Today I am enjoying Spring in Oklahoma. Trees have covered their naked limbs with leaves, roses are blooming, and my peach tree has dropped its petals to replace them with infant fruit. Spring is much more subtle in Florida, where I spend most of my time, but those of us who live there are able…

Some of you have been generous with advice about what to give my mother for her 95th birthday. Thank you for your suggestions which ranged from the Camaro one reader was trying to sell to a flower bouquet. It was my wife who came up with the winning idea—a pair of gloves with claws at…

Today is my mother’s 95th birthday and I have no idea what to give her. It’s not that she needs a gift or even wants one, but I want to give her something that will make her happy. She has told us many times not to give her anything. Still, a 95th birthday is something…