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Enoch Part 2

The Story of Enoch Part 2 Isaiah 55:2 “Why do you spend your money . . .and labor . . . for that which does not satisfy.” Our fledgling Bald Eagle friend, Enoch, had become increasingly hungry and uncomfortable. The sparse meals from mom and dad were not enough to satisfy his taste buds so he hopped up to the edge of the nest, spread his wings and jumped. Unfortunately, Enoch was not quite ready to fly. Though he was approaching his eight-week old birthday, he had not stretched his wings en

Enoch The Eagle Part 1

In the early days of my service in the YMCA I was attempting to create devotionals and chapel services that would effectively communicate with children and families the principles of life from a scriptural perspective. It was also my understanding that illustrations from nature would provide an effective way of sharing truth that supports the biblical message and is, in so many ways, a living book that we are reading everyday. Two of my favorite teachers in my early days as a believer were Pet

Financial Coaching Launch

This week the blog is starting on a new site and I am beginning the launch of a new project - Financial Coaching. I must confess that I thought the idea of any kind of personal coach was a little bit weird. This past year, Dave Ramsey convinced me that there is great value in this kind of coaching and that I have the skill set to be able to help folks. So why would anyone need a financial coach? There are many reasons but I will share a few examples here. The American norm is now a debt no

Have Your Victory

Have Your Victory This was the prayer God had given me at a recent men’s retreat. Fifty of us had gathered the same weekend president Trump had declared a national day of prayer. This being in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus – covid 19. We had gathered as Way of the Lord men at Camp Koronis on Koronis Lake for a men’s retreat planned months earlier, not realizing we would be in prayer regarding the coronavirus that very weekend. These things do not just happen by coincidence. This w

Finding the Sabbath

The leather bracelet purchased in the Christian gift shaped in Seoul that is owned and operated by ILF staff Jason's father and mother.Sabbath Rest A greater Understanding In my last blog I referenced the Institute of Light Finders and their vision to help children grow in spirit, mind and body through the avenue of play. Lynn, Amy and I have been watching the film series on the life of Christ called, “The Chosen” and I am really amazed at the depth of insight shown in the film. I especially enj

Striving for Rest

Family of Jason and DaJeongFrom India to South Korea – Culture Shock at its Best!The flight from Kolkata to India was via Hong Kong. Oh, this is great, the coronavirus is ramping up and my flight is through China. Well, let’s see what happens. I think I was the only person in the Hong Kong airport without a face mask. I decided everyone was making sure I didn’t get sick – thank you very much. I arrived in the Seoul airport and my host, HeeSung informed me that the main reason I was coming, to sp

The Battle is in the Mind

The other morning I woke up at 2:36 a.m.. Being in jet lag recovery mode I was wide awake so I got up and read Psalm 23:6. “ Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” The Holy Spirit was showing me how His goodness and mercy had followed me through this recent trip to India and South Korea. One of my internal struggles during this trip was questioning my value. There is a cost of finances, time and personal sacrifice that

Drive Safe Save Life

Can you find safe drive save lifeSafe drive, save lifeThe drive safe save life slogan is very popular signage on the back of many Kolkata buses, trucks and taxis. For some reason, the slogan finally stood out to me on my way to the Kolkata airport. The traffic was heavy, the Uber driver was pleasant but knew very little English so I had time to be alone with my thoughts. I was considering a recent blog entry by my friend, Paul, regarding three encounters with the Outback Subaru. He heard God sh

Father is Watching Over Us

India Immersion Team 2020Being in India has never been a personal goal of mine but wanting to be in God’s presence and living out his plan and purpose is too much fun to pass up. I think it was a hobbit who got caught up in an adventure against his own better judgement, who ended up being the hero in the story. Actually, we are all hero’s waiting to happen if you believe that a hero in a story is the person who faces challenges and finds grace to overcome. This particular trip has had some inte

In One Accord

This is my 2010 Honda Accord CrosstourThe idea of Christians being in one accord is a very powerful message of Jesus and the New Testament church. It is both powerful and elusive. What does being in one accord look like? What are examples of being in one accord? How do we become in one accord? How important is it, really, to be in one accord? Recently, a leader from Uganda was sharing in our church fellowship a vision for the Body of Christ. The bottom line being, that Jesus, in His priestly pr

Hold On Let Go

Over the years, our family has had the blessing of moving around the country, finding ourselves in five different states over a 34-year period. In most of these states we lived in two or three different communities. One of the results of this lifestyle has been the opportunity to fellowship with a diversity of groups. In the process, we learned that Christian believers are very much similar in a good sort of way. Also, in numerous ways they have differing opinions and the sad part of all this is

Skip Wilke the WILLING Servant

For those reading this blog who have no idea who Skip Wilke is, let me just say that he is a dear friend who recently went home to his heavenly Father and who was an amazing example of the Father’s love to me. Even as I am typing these memories of Skip, I was expressing frustration over the age and slowness of my mac computer. If Skip could have overheard my need for a computer, I would have seen one in a box, at my doorstep within the week. During my 12 years as executive director at Camp du N