Author Archives: Rob

Once, when I was pretty young, I was playing in my aunt’s back yard in Riverside. Now, when I say “back yard” I really mean this wild growth of brush and trees that separated her property from the interstate. Before long I’d wandered off, trusting in my innate sense of direction (which I don’t thinkContinue reading “Now I’m Found”

You may have noticed that thoughts can grow. They are organic, living things. They start with the seed of an idea planted in the brain before they grow to maturity and bring about some kind of action. Jesus used this metaphor: “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, andContinue reading “Good Thinking”

There is an inherent beauty in everything around us. God’s creation, at the outset, was what he called, “Very good.” As we look around us today, we still perceive echoes of that pronouncement. The green hills, snow-capped mountains, blue and gold beaches, amber plains, painted deserts—these all testify to the Artist’s loving touch, the brushstrokesContinue reading “Very Good”

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side. Earthquakes are a powerful reminder that not even the earth beneath our feet can be trusted. Something that we take for granted—the solidity of the ground we walk on—turns out to be based on the false assurance that our world is permanent. As Christians, weContinue reading “Be Still, My Soul”

Have you ever fed the birds, breaking off bits of bread and throwing them to the ducks or geese by a lake? Maybe you remember that time when the birds fed a human. Elijah was in dire straits, arranged against all the followers of Baal and people loyal to King Ahab. He had prayed, andContinue reading “Beyond Our Limits”

Okay, let’s have some crazy talk, shall we? Back in 2002—in the fall, I think—I was sitting in my classroom after hours doing the Lord knows what when I suddenly got an idea. Humor me… Abraham, the Musical! Not a fancy-schmancy oratorio or opera, though I felt guilty afterward for not thinking of those first.Continue reading “My Son”

It’s been a little on the warm side, so keeping cool has been a priority for most critters. We keep a livestock dip tank in the back yard filled with water for the labs to jump into when they need a cooling-off. Of course, they prefer to be indoors with air conditioning and cold woodContinue reading “Too Hot”

You know? You do know, don’t you? The apostle John says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” Knowing things was important to John. There were some people around him claiming to know what they said wasContinue reading “Do You Know?”

Jesus said, “Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” Too many times we feel (or act like we feel) that we alone are responsible for bearing the burdens of the world. We need to care for the needy, seek the lost, comfortContinue reading ““Apart From Me You Can Do Nothing””

The hardest person you’ll ever forgive is likely yourself. You see, you know all your foibles, all your shortcomings. In fact, no one but your Maker knows them better than you. You’ll strive to live a life pleasing to God. You’ll really and truly give it your best. And you’ll fail. That sinful nature willContinue reading “Forgive Yourself”