Roger

Raising seven children in the 1960’s I’m sure was no easy task.  My parents were hard workers and wonderful providers.  Not only did they both work full-time jobs, after they got home they either worked in the garden or dad took on outside carpentry jobs.  Dad planted unusually large gardens, and in September mom canned vegetables in our large kitchen.   Their labors provided us with vegetables during cold weather and course helped reduce groceries bills.   On many occasions mom canned well into the early morning hours.   I remember drifting off to sleep listening to the sounds of lids popping!   My siblings and I would later line our basement shelves with green beans, corn, tomatoes, okra, beets, potatoes, and other yummy winter delights.   In late summer dad would load his pick-up truck with garden produce and head for the Farmer’s Market in Youngstown.   Proceeds from these trips went toward buying school clothes and supplies. ...

I admit it.  I tend to worry, especially when it comes to money, and more specifically, retirement.  The other day I heard something about Social Security that further threatened my peace.  I heard a colleague say, “There will be no Social Security left when we need it” (Not sure where she got her facts).  Immediately, fear grabbed my heart, as I allowed the enemy to weave his lies into the fabric of my future.  Then something wonderful and supernatural happened.  I heard the Lord say, “I’ve been faithful to you over the years and I will continue to be faithful.  Trust Me!” Peace from above calmed my heart.  My mind raced back to my senior year at Jefferson Area High School.   Graduation was coming and I had no idea how I was going to finance my college education.   By faith I applied to attend Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and was accepted. In April 1974, I learned that a foundation in Conneaut, Ohio was offeri...

We in church circles have probably heard the following story and self-righteously snickered:   “A man went to heaven and Saint Peter was giving him the initial tour.   ‘Over there we have the Baptists and there the Methodists.   Across the way we have the Lutherans.   But now you must be quiet because coming up on the right are the ______ (you may fill in the blank) because they think they’re the only ones here!’” This joke is both funny and sad because there are people in various Christian circles who really believe they’re the only ones going to heaven.   Perhaps you know some! Let me ask you something.   Can you believe something that’s not entirely accurate and still go to heaven?   As a young Christ follower I would have said, “Absolutely not!”   Now, after following Jesus for almost 50 years, I realize that I have spent those years exchanging perceived truth for God’s truth.   I have in fact embraced partial truth for God’s ...

Before his death in 1985, famed actor Yul Brynner made a video, which aired posthumously.   In this 30-second appeal, Brynner urged smokers to quit.   At one point in his life Brynner smoked five packs of cigarettes a day.   The star, especially known for his stellar performances in the “King and I” and the “Ten Commandments,” expressed deep regret over his life-long habit. “Good Morning America” first aired the video wherein the 65-year-old actor claimed that cigarette smoking was the culprit that prematurely stole his life.   Lung cancer had worked its deadly toll.   The tone of the video was that of deep regret. Regret.   It’s not my favorite word.   It ranks up there with the word, “If.”   Both inspire a sense of deep sadness.   Both speak of what might have been. We all have regrets – things we wish we could change if we had it to do over.   Things we would not say or do.   But the fact of the matter is we can’t und...