In about 713 BC an Assyrian ruler named Sennacherib invaded Judah and threatened Jerusalem. In II Chronicles 32 (and II Kings 18) the bible tells us the story. Sennacherib sent some of his officers to Jerusalem with a message for the king of Judah,...

We hear a lot these days about our children being entitled. Parenting articles outline the “needs” that we should be supplying for our children.  Johnny deserves to be happy. Suzie should enjoy the latest and greatest.  Larry needs to be pampered...

I saw a quote from a French writer that said, “Nine tenths of education is encouragement.”  And I believe that.  Learning is a risk and students need a healthy amount of encouragement in order to step out there and try something new.  But they...

Recently, Emily Pace, a Stoneybrooke alum who is a senior in high school asked if she might be a guest “muser” and offer some of her own thoughts. I love what she has written! Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope? Remember, it’s that toy...

I love standing alongside a mountain stream watching what goes by. Some of the leaves or twigs are driven along by the current or a breeze, but the fish are different.  They are swimming by. They are going somewhere. I doubt that they are...

Have you had a good laugh lately?  I am talking about a real, tummy jiggling crack up? I hope so, because it is good for you! Wikipedia says that laughter “is an audible expression, or appearance of merriment or happiness or an inward feeling of...

I confess to being a political junkie.  I love this season when the candidates are busy trying to convince us that their ideas and perspectives are the correct ones. My favorite part is watching them try to bend and twist the truth to fit the...

A few weeks ago, I read a story about dozens of tourists who were trapped over night in cable cars over Mont Blanc in the Alps. About 110 people, including a 10-year-old were stranded after high winds tangled the wires that operate the pulley...

When I was in Bible college, there was a very clear pecking order for those who wished to serve the Lord as their vocation (“full time service”). At the top of the spiritual heap, were the missionaries. Then came the pastors. And next in line came...

“Wanted dead or alive” is the message that often appeared on posters featuring criminals on the loose. Apparently the first wanted posters appeared in England. They featured “outlaws” (criminals who were outside the protection of the law). In the...

Apparently the term for a personal greeting among the South African Zulu people is the term “Sawubona.” It roughly transliterates to “hello, how you doing?” But a strict translation would be, “I see you.” That meaning goes far beyond the physical...

Most of us have been enthralled with all the Olympic fever of the last couple of weeks. As the track and field events began, I couldn’t help but think back to the story told in the movie, “Chariots of Fire.” As you probably remember, the film tells...