Contemplating Oz

Life Notes—September 19, 2013    “Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Ephesians 6:23 “Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore!”  Dorothy Gale There was a once-a-year event when I was a child that was not to be missed.  It … Continue reading Contemplating Oz

An Unencumbered Spirit

Life Notes—September 12, 2013    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3 A decade ago we had an above ground swimming pool installed in our backyard.  I built a wooden deck around the pool and we had many years of summer fun with family and friends.  Youth … Continue reading An Unencumbered Spirit

Throwing Stones

Life Notes—September 5, 2013    “…they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.  Now in the law of Moses commanded us to stone such women.  Now what do you say?’  When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, ‘Let anyone among you … Continue reading Throwing Stones

Guiding Vision

Life Notes—August 29, 2013    “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keeps the law, happy is he.”  Proverbs 29:18 (King James 2000 Bible Translation) Many organizations have a Vision Statement which answers the question, “What do we want to become?”  A good vision statement looks ahead and describes a desirable … Continue reading Guiding Vision

Taking a Pray-cation

Life Notes—August 22, 2013    “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.”  Matthew 6:5 Many families take an annual vacation.  … Continue reading Taking a Pray-cation

The Second Death

Life Notes—August 8, 2013  “Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, the murderers, the fornicators, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and … Continue reading The Second Death

The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride

Life Notes—August 1, 2013  “For the wicked boast of the desires of their heart, those greedy for gain curse and renounce the Lord.  In the pride of their countenance the wicked say, ‘God will not seek it out;’ all their thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’”  Psalm 10:3-4 The last of the Seven Deadly Sins, … Continue reading The Seven Deadly Sins: Pride

The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Life Notes—July 25, 2013  “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or male or female slave, or ox, or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”  Exodus 20:17 In my younger days I had a hero.  Actually, it was more of a man-crush. He was tall and … Continue reading The Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

The Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath

Life Notes—July 18, 2013  “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.  Do not fret—it leads only to evil.”  Psalm 37:8 Most of the time I am an even-tempered person.  Of course I get annoyed when my computer takes longer than normal to start up.  I do not appreciate when someone cuts me off in traffic.  And … Continue reading The Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath