Author Archives: Rob

“Peace on Earth.” We hear this a lot at this time of year. We read it on Christmas cards or decorative displays. We even sing these words in a few of our most beloved Christmas carols. But it seems that most of us don’t understand what the angels were talking about when they declared, “GloryContinue reading “Peace on Earth”

Everybody’s got a mountain to climb, and most of those mountains are bigger than mine. Steve Seskin Monday was worse than usual. Some would say that, for a Monday, that’s pretty bad. As I was setting up a few things for my class, the power in the building failed. It was only off for aContinue reading “Mountains From Molehills”

I notice how some people drive and will break one or two laws while fastidiously observing all others. James said, “For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” In other words, violate one law of a thousand and you’veContinue reading “Luby’s-Style Legalism”

Recently I was in a drive-through line, and the woman in the car in front of me was in a hurry—a really big hurry. She was in such a rush that, as soon as she got her food, she sped out of the parking lot, leaving behind her credit card. Though an employee tried franticallyContinue reading “Haste Makes Waste”

The holidays are a time when many people gather with family, extended family, friends—people that are loved and cherished because of their relationships with us. The older I get, the more important family becomes to me. I believe that God intended for us to foster and nourish all of our relationships, but particularly those withContinue reading “All In the Family”

We know that anxiety and worry can take a toll on us. We experience the physical effects in the form of stress-related illness. The psychological and emotional impact can leave us feeling weary or depressed. It turns out that there are plenty of good reasons that our loving Father tells us, “do not be anxiousContinue reading “What, Me Worry?”

One thing that can unsettle my day is a loose connection. I’m teaching class when, out of the blue, a knock against the desk sends everything into a tizzy: my computer monitors start to show the wrong things; disks shut down; error messages are popping up all over the place; the people I was sharingContinue reading “A Loose Connection”

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 Gracie and I walked along the edge of the wood and marveled at the brilliant colors in the carpet of fallen leaves at our feet. During a communion service, I thought about those leaves, and I asked myself, “Why doesContinue reading “To Die Beautifully”

I’ve said it before—I’m a klutz. One evening I stumbled over a stool that was large enough to see, even with my eyesight. I thought to myself, “Being clumsy is no laughing matter.” Immediately a big grin spread across my lips and I thought, “Yes it is.” I often find occasion to laugh at myself,Continue reading “Why So Serious?”

We live in “the age of communication,” yet we do so little of it. The Internet, that marvel of technology that is supposed to bring us closer together, has become a vehicle for divisive speech and hate. We rant about what a politician did or didn’t do or should have done. We complain about neighbors,Continue reading “Communication”