I remember hearing secrets as a kid. I’m sure I was not a good secret keeper. As I grew older, I learned who to trust with secrets. Our government has secrets – every government does. When secrets leak out, it reveals insight and motives of the people keeping the secrets. I’ve always thought of a…
The first step in planting seeds is preparing the soil. There is a lot to know about being a good gardener. It’s important to study weather patterns and seasons. There are fertilizer options that spur the growth. (The fertilizer options are where organic versus chemically induced growth comes into play.) The farmer must know how…
I’m not a successful gardener by any measurement. It’s probably because I’m not patient enough to plan the seeds and nurture them along. My father-in-law plants and cultivates a huge garden each year. In fact, we enjoyed some of his harvest for Thanksgiving. Jesus told a story of the kingdom of heaven being like a…
I love a good story. I really like the story when it’s being told by someone who was there and offers detail, insight, and perspective. Some stories have been embellished over time and with multiple telling. Others have become abbreviated and short. Every person has a story. They have a story to tell, and they…
I used to always say “Lord willing” before my plans. The older I get the more I realize that all I do and say is subject to His will. Everywhere I go and everyone I meet is subject to His will. The thing is, God doesn’t force His will upon me. I also don’t believe…
There are multiple decisions that go on constantly inside of me. There are usually good choices along with the not-so-good choices. When I gave my life to Christ many years ago, I didn’t get immunity to the temptations of Satan. In fact, I think he stepped up the pressure. The longer I follow Jesus, the…
I’m so thankful to have people call me friend. I am thankful for the people who know that I am here to help them. I enjoy serving people in all sorts of ways – not just with buying or selling real estate. I feel like Jesus has called me to serve – period. Early in…
I remember the morning of September 11, 2001, like it was yesterday. I was in the church office working and someone called to tell us about the first plane hitting one of the towers in New York. We immediately got to a television to hear about it and then the second plane hit. The news…
I often use this word when I’m angry because it doesn’t make my anger sound so bad. I think frustration is more of a hidden anger. I see anger out front and loud; frustration seems like anger that is being managed. A relative word to frustration is exasperation. I think frustration comes when I really…
I don’t consider myself to be a rule breaker. I struggle with some rules but mostly I stay between the lines. My biggest struggle is most often driving the speed limit. I just like to get where I’m going as efficiently as possible. It would be helpful if I would learn that the journey to…