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Love can feel like a ring of fire—intense, consuming, and at times overwhelming. But what if that fire isn’t meant to destroy us, but refine us? Just like flames purify gold, God uses our deepest struggles to shape us into who we were created to be. When we surrender our passions and pain to Him, the fire becomes a force of transformation, not destruction. In Christ, every flame becomes a pathway to renewal, purpose, and hope.

I love Rocky movies.  At least, Rocky movies one through four.  After that I think the well ran dry.  One of the things I liked best about the Rocky movies was the many unusual ways Rocky would train for a boxing match.    Rocky did quirky stuff like chasing chickens and pounding slabs of raw beef.  He lifted buckets filled with rocks, ran through ocean waves and across sandy beaches, up steep flights of stairs in Philadelphia, and through deep snow drifts in Siberia.  He pul

Vanderlei di Lima is just a little guy.  He stands 5’3” and weighs 119 pounds soaking wet.  This means he is about the same size as an average sixth grader.  Despite his small stature, di Lima is special because he has heart.  Miles and miles of heart.    In the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, de Lima was leading the marathon by about 60 yards with less than two miles to go.  The finish line was in sight, and the diminutive Brazilian was primed for the final charge.  All he h

Life moves in waves—beautiful, brutal, and breathtaking all at once. It’s a rhythm of highs and lows, stitched together by the quiet in-between. This poem reminds us that every season—whether amazing, awful, or ordinary—is part of the same stunning masterpiece called living.

When the Israelites faced Goliath, fear paralyzed them—until David chose faith over discouragement. Like David, we often confront our own giants: criticism, doubt, and negativity. Yet our mission remains the same—to stand firm, protect the vulnerable, and trust that pleasing God outweighs pleasing others. Let no one lose heart.

As I walked a familiar path in the fading light, I realized I could see far into the distance, yet not clearly enough to know where to step next. Psalm 119:105 reminds us that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet—guiding each step even when the full path is hidden. Faith isn’t about seeing everything ahead; it’s about trusting the One who lights the way.

When Mocha, our strong but friendly German Shepherd, saw a cat dash across the lawn, her instincts took over. With such force, she snapped a porch post clean off and charged—dragging it behind her! Watching her unstoppable focus made me wonder: what if we pursued God with that same passion and purpose—undaunted, unrestrained, and fully alive in His calling for us?

Sometimes, the heaviest loads we carry aren’t in our backpacks but in our hearts. When we hand our worries to God and live in the present, life becomes lighter, brighter, and filled with peace.

Dan K., a seasoned river guide, could read the water with instinctive precision—knowing which waves carried promise and which held danger. Watching him, I longed for the same clarity in following God’s direction. Scripture reminds us, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). Just as the river sustains life, His grace flows steadily, carrying us forward, refreshing and renewing us with living water.

I have a creek that winds through my back yard.  It’s not very deep or very wide, but it is classically scenic.  I enjoy the tranquil...

When poet/activist Maya Angelou was in Washington D.C. to address Congress on crime related issues, she candidly discussed how she had...

"Later that evening, as we sat around the campfire drying out, a very subdued, but grateful Beth admitted that much of her 'previous experience' simply wasn’t true. I appreciated her candor, and I enjoyed the opportunity to observe her growth for the rest of the trip."

The Labor Day weekend is a special one.  This weekend is often viewed as the last hurrah of summer.  Many of us try to eke out one more...

The carpenter appeared to be finished building our deck.  All the tools were wiped off and put away and he was ready for the final...

When we judge others, it’s easy to magnify their flaws while ignoring our own. Jesus reminds us to first deal with the “log” in our eye before pointing out a “speck” in someone else’s. True disciples live by grace, not rigid rules, extending the same mercy they’ve received. As Brennan Manning wrote, trusting Christ’s redeeming work changes us from judgment to grace. May we seek wisdom to discern rightly and respond with love over condemnation.

Like Charlie Brown’s sandcastle swept away by the tide, we all face moments when our dreams are ruined. The lesson? Keep building. Life’s waves test our faith, commitment, and willingness to grow. Progress doesn’t have to be fast- just forward. As John Maxwell says, “The highest reward for our toil is not what we get from it, but what we become by it.”

Former professor John Kavanaugh asked Mother Teresa to pray for clarity. She replied, “No, I will not do that,” explaining that clarity was the last thing he was clinging to. “I have never had clarity,” she said. “What I’ve always had is trust.” True peace doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from trusting God one step at a time, even when the path is unclear. May we walk forward with trust, not certainty.

This week’s musing shares a simple act of kindness that became a reminder of what it means to live out our faith. While mowing a neighbor’s lawn, a lesson about humility, generosity, and the heart of servanthood came to life- showing that even small gestures can reflect God’s love in big ways.