Category: Uncategorized

How do you prepare for Easter weekend? People all over are preparing for this weekend. They are getting their Easter outfits. They are buying eggs and preparing them. While there is nothing wrong with any of this. It did cause me to think about something else.  How did Jesus prepare for Easter weekend? We could… Read more

I walked into a building that had all the lights turned off. Once inside I turned and noticed the exit sign shining above the door. I couldn’t see the door because of how dark it was, which is why there is an exit sign shining brightly in the darkness to show the safe way out.… Read more

My wife was at a doctor’s appointment once. She had already been brought to the back and placed in a room. She had been there for quite some time, so she stepped out to see what was going on. When she did, the Doctor saw her and said “Oh, I forgot you were in there.”… Read more

Ask anyone that remotely knows anything about building a house and they will tell you that your foundation matters. If you don’t have a strong foundation then you’ll have trouble with your building.  The Word of God talks about foundations and building a spiritual house. I would like to look at a verse in Revelation… Read more

Have you ever had the wind take something right out of your hand and blow it away? I have and I have said, “Well, there it goes.” Because I knew that it was gone and I’d never be able to get it back.  How strong is the wind? The wind can take things from you.… Read more

Imagine being in a relationship that was mostly one sided. They seldomly spend time with you. When you talk to them they don’t listen most of the time. When you call them they seldomly answer. You tell them that you love them, they say, “I know.” You text them and they don’t even open the… Read more

I once asked a friend of mine to weld something up for me. I started explaining in detail how I was thinking of doing it. He stopped me and said, “John, I’m the welder. You tell me what you want done and I’ll figure out how to do it.” Have you ever had someone ask… Read more

This is a tough subject. It’s not usually one that we like to address. We don’t like to think about God not answering our prayers. Usually we think if God is not answering our prayers then it’s a lack of faith on our part. What if it is just God’s will? To explain we’ll start… Read more

My Daddy loved for us to plant a garden. We would plant large gardens with all types of vegetables. When we planted seeds, we always put multiple seeds in one hole. We never put one seed, because you just didn’t know if they would produce. The thing is if we didn’t plant we wouldn’t have… Read more

Why am I going through this fiery trial? Why am I going through this storm? Do these questions sound familiar? Have you ever been just going through it and it just seems to not be getting better? You think God I’m just trying to find You in this. Then you go through darkness. You begin… Read more

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again (Proverbs 24:16 KJV). We quote this verse as encouragement. We use this to say get up again. We use it to say finish the race. And we should use it for these. I want to look for a moment at a deeper perspective.  I… Read more

Tree roots anchor the tree in the soil, keeping it straight and stable, and absorb water from the soil. Tree roots also take nutrients and chemicals out of the soil and use them to produce what they need for the tree’s growth, development, and repair. There are a few things that can cause a tree’s… Read more

Engedi, which belonged to the tribe of Judah, was a literal oasis in the desert near the western shore of the Dead Sea. Imagine traveling through this dry, lifeless land with undrinkable water of the Dead Sea. Then you come upon Engedi. This place could literally save your life. It has food, water, shelter. David… Read more

I heard a story about a woman that was in a testimony service. People were telling all about how God had blessed them. She, at some point, said that she envied those whom God had provided for in their desperate need. She admitted that she had never been in those situations because she always had… Read more

We were driving somewhere once and the DVD player that our son Levi watches was making a weird noise. His older brother Isaac pipes up from beside him and says, “I’m going to take that thing and throw it to heaven and get Jesus to fix it.” We were rolling in laughter. The thing is… Read more

I was driving once and saw this aged truck in the distance sitting in someone’s yard. As I got closer you could see spray painted across the truck, “NOT FOR SALE.” Apparently many people had stopped and asked about the truck. This is understandable because it was a classic and could have been restored into… Read more

I once had a fella telling me about the things he did for entertainment. Rather he was trying to justify what he did. Understand that the things he was telling me that he did I disagreed with him about this is why he was justifying it. He eventually said well it’s my money and if… Read more

We all know someone that doesn’t hear well. You may be that someone. You may often be called or call yourself hard of hearing. I am personally hard of hearing. I know all too well the issues that come from not being able to hear well. I don’t watch videos without closed captions as long… Read more

John 10:1-4 KJV 1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth;… Read more

  Have you ever been putting a puzzle together, you’re most of the way done and you run into that one piece that you can’t seem to find where it goes? You don’t trash the project over this. You’ve done the work to get where you are, you don’t abandon it now. You work on… Read more

I was sitting having a conversation with my oldest son one day. As we were talking, someone we knew walked up and sat down with us. They began to talk so much that they dominated the conversation. Now mind you, our work schedules don’t allow us much time to sit and talk so we value… Read more

Have you ever had a day that nothing seems to go right? It doesn’t matter what you try, you just can’t seem to catch a break.  Acts 28:3-6 WEB 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened… Read more

I can see it now. A little girl sitting on the playground with a flower. She pulls a petal from the flower and says, “He loves me.” She pulls another petal from the flower and says, “He loves me not.” She continues this routine until she runs out of petals. She hopes that the last… Read more

I once ordered a new recliner online for my wife and had it shipped to my house. I have bought many recliners and they generally come in 2 pieces. Those 2 pieces are the bottom and the back and all you have to do is slide them together and voila you’re done. No, not this… Read more

If you’ve ever watched a child learning to walk you’ve seen them fall. They may be nervous about getting back up and trying again, but they have to if they are ever going to learn to walk. As we get older we learn to walk better and we fall less. Sometimes though we do still… Read more

I was weed eating the other day and a couple times I got my weedeater tangled up in some stuff. I had to stop and untangle it so I could get back to work. Why do you think I got it tangled up? Some may say because it was there and needs to be removed.… Read more

Language attrition refers to the gradual decline or loss of proficiency in a language, especially one’s first or native language, over time, typically due to a lack of use or exposure. In some military training it is taught that if you became a prisoner of war and don’t hear your own language for 20 years… Read more

I was having a discussion with some friends of mine that were telling me about a guy at their job that had done something to really offend them. I mean he was wrong, not just maybe but 100% wrong.  Sometimes we run into situations where God gives us the opportunity to be like Him. To… Read more

Psalm 30:5 KJV  …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Some may read this and wonder why is this pain lasting so long. Why hasn’t God stepped in, because it’s only supposed to be for a night. Job gives insight on this.  Job 30:17 KJV My bones are pierced in… Read more

Have you ever played jenga? If you have, you know the more pieces that you pull from their place and move to the top make the jenga tower more and more unstable. Eventually someone makes the move that brings the whole thing tumbling down. Now they may have made the move that brought the whole… Read more

Porcupines are mostly known for their quills which is their self defense mechanism. They are solitary creatures, except during winter when they may den in small groups. Interestingly enough a group of porcupines is called a family.  Have you ever met or been the person that was like a porcupine? They typically keep others at… Read more

Let’s look at some scriptures in Exodus.  Exodus 6: 6. Here is my message for Israel: “I am the Lord! And with my mighty power I will punish the Egyptians and free you from slavery. 7 I will accept you as my people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I… Read more

Penguins have many unique qualities. Other than being cute and dressing in tuxedos all the time. They have some qualities that we can apply to our spiritual lives. I would like to look at some of these and compare them.  They are known for their unique communication skills.  Penguins have distinct calls that help them… Read more

I arrived home one day and as I did Levi, my youngest son at a year and a half old, came running to me. I picked him up and he points to the kitchen and says “cookie.” The babysitter tells me that he keeps saying that. I said, “yeah, cookie doesn’t always mean cookie.” You… Read more

Hopeless! A word that reaches deep down into that dark place. The place you don’t talk about. The place that you’re ashamed of. That place that makes you feel all alone.  I want to talk to you about that place, yes that place that you don’t want to talk about. You are not alone. People… Read more

How are you today? A simple question that can brighten someone’s day, displaying that someone cares. How often we may say this to others or hear it said to us. It may be a simple gesture sometimes. Other times it’s a heartfelt question. Either way it shows a level of concern for someone. I think… Read more

Have you ever wanted to spend time with someone alone? You just wanted their companionship. You just wanted to sit down and have a conversation with them. It could have been a serious conversation or just fellowship, but you made an appointed time to see them. Be it lunch or a meeting you wanted their… Read more

David found himself in the wilderness of Judah when he penned these words.  O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is (Psalm 63:1 KJV). Have you ever found yourself in a spiritual… Read more

Have you ever heard of how crabs act in a bucket? What happens if you put a bunch of crabs in a bucket crabs will inevitably try to escape. If they left each other alone or even better helped each other they’d easily be able to get out of the bucket. But, that doesn’t happen.… Read more

In the early 1900’s Enterprise, Alabama had a huge problem. The boll weevil had infested the state devastating the cotton crops. Alabama’s economy was almost entirely based in agriculture, with cotton being the primary cash crop, when the boll weevil arrived. Losses during the initial years of infestation reached 60 to 75 percent. Some farmers… Read more

  Throughout the Bible there were women that were promised a child. Sarah, Hannah ,the Shunammite woman, Elizabeth, Mary. Each one’s circumstances were different, but they had one thing in common. They all had to wait. Some were given the promise long before they were ever with child. Even if they would have been pregnant right after… Read more

I do not like getting interrupted. I remember an instance when I was talking to someone that would not let me finish my sentence. I tried multiple times. Finally I stepped forward and sternly said, “You will let me finish my sentence!” They understood that I had had enough and they allowed me to talk.… Read more

Have you ever heard of astronaut Mike Collins? How about Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin? Those names you probably recognize as they were the first 2 people to walk on the moon of the only 12 people that did.  But who was Mike Collins? Michael Collins was an American astronaut who flew the Apollo 11… Read more

I have covered this subject before, but I feel it needs to be discussed again. Depression is something that many deal with. Each person and situation are different and may have different solutions. I would like to look at some Bible characters to explain this.  David, Jeremiah, and Noah. All 3 of these dealt with… Read more

Most know the story of the prodigal son. I would like to look at the story from a different perspective.  Luke 15:11-20 KJV 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And… Read more

I was talking to a friend of mine once and right in the middle of my sentence he just turned and walked away. I called him as he hopped in his truck and said, “Hey man you just walked away while I was talking.” He promptly apologized and said he hated when people did that,… Read more

Have you ever visited somewhere that had stone sculptures? The time and effort that goes into these impresses me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small sculpture that could fit on your desktop, or if it’s Mount Rushmore. There is chiseling involved. Larger projects lead to a lot of strenuous work, removing large chunks of… Read more

How much battery life do you have on your phone? How often do you charge your phone? Most people I know charge their phones multiple times throughout the day. They keep chargers at work, in their vehicles, by their chairs and by their beds. This way they are never far from being able to charge… Read more

  Most have heard the story of the boy that cried wolf. The story ends tragically because this boy lost his credibility with people. Most of us know someone that you feel the need to verify what they say because they don’t have good credibility. Then there are some that we trust totally. So much… Read more

If you’re old enough to remember, there was the song that started this way. “O be careful little eyes what you seeO be careful little eyes what you seeFor the Father up aboveIs looking down in loveSo, be careful little eyes what you see” The words of this song can apply so much more in… Read more

When my older children were little we were at church one day and had a house fire. My neighbor at the time got the fire put out in the kitchen. We were able to salvage some things but much of the contents were badly smoke damaged. Obviously we could not live in the home. Our… Read more

When our boys, Isaac being 4 years old and Levi being 5 months old, we would load them in a vehicle and head to our destination. Sometimes the trips were calm. Many times though Levi would be screaming and crying the whole way. One particular time, on the way to church, Levi was beside himself… Read more

We come across a story in the Old Testament involving David and Solomon. David decided to build a house for God. God sends him a message that he is not to build the house, but his son will. David then gathers the material so that Solomon can build the temple. Solomon does indeed build the… Read more

I was driving down a local road and saw something that you don’t see everyday, not in Louisiana at least. I saw a bald eagle take off in flight. It was really a beautiful sight.  It made me think of some of the things that we get to see in nature that are sights indeed… Read more

I once had a dog that I could not get to walk on a leash. She would be walking along fine. Then I’d put a leash on her and she would freeze in her tracks. Literally just hunker down in place and not move. I was in a place that she really needed to be… Read more

Genesis 1:1-4 KJV 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was… Read more

I remember teaching my children a valuable lesson. I taught them that if they did something wrong it would be much better if they came to me with it first. My oldest son found this out first hand. He was playing with a baseball in the yard, hitting it around. I told him to stay… Read more

I remember years ago that I was at a youth rally at a church out of town. While there an older intoxicated man walked up to the church. He said, “Can I come in here?” To which we replied, “Absolutely.” This is where he belonged. It didn’t matter that he was intoxicated, he wasn’t dressed for… Read more

I remember as a teenager, I went through a phase of wearing my jeans with holes in them. It was a thing at the time, and I was just doing what others were doing. Well, my Daddy didn’t take too kindly to it. He called me to the side one day and told me how… Read more

My 5 year old son Isaac was in class one day, when his teacher asked a question. She asked the class, “What do we do when we come across a word that we can’t pronounce?” Isaac quickly responded, “Skip it.” Although hilarious, this was obviously not the right answer. They are supposed to sound the… Read more

We see them everywhere, decorative crosses. Hanging on walls, sitting on table tops, even hanging around peoples necks. I mean, they are nice decorations, right. They have all these designs in them and are supposed to tell people “Hey I’m a Christian.” Unfortunately people misunderstand the Cross. The Cross of Christ was not pretty. It… Read more

Over the years I’ve had many conversations with people about dedication to God. Be it prayer time, reading the Bible, attending church, etc. I’ve heard many things said over the years.   I start praying or reading my Bible and then I get distracted, before I know it I’m way over in left field. I had… Read more

The story of Joseph is full of lessons that can be learned. One of those lessons is found buried in one comment that Joseph makes to his brothers in Genesis 45:24 (EasyEnglish) Then Joseph sent his brothers on their journey. As they left he said, ‘Do not argue on the way!’ Why would Joseph say… Read more

Sometimes when my Daddy and I would greet each other it may have been confusing to those nearby. It would often start with name calling and jeers at each other. From the outside looking on one would think that we almost didn’t like each other. This couldn’t have been farther from the truth. We loved… Read more

I have a way of making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that’s a little different than the normal way. I first microwave my peanut butter for 20 to 30 seconds. This makes the peanut butter softer and causes it to mix better with the jelly. Thus making a more consistent blend of the ingredients. Believe… Read more

I heard the story about a man that had trouble plowing a straight row. His friend told him to find an object at the end of the row to fix his eyes on and aim at that. His friend returned later to find his row more crooked than ever. He said, “I told you to… Read more

My wife and I went on our honeymoon to Branson, Missouri. We visited a few tourist spots there, among which was Dixie Stampede. We decided to purchase a coffee cup there as a momento. When we arrived home we were surprised to see something that we had overlooked. The cup indeed said Dixie Stampede, but… Read more

There are many survival books, television shows, youtube videos, etc. They cover a wide range of scenarios that you may or may not find yourself in and give you tips on how to survive. One particular topic is how to survive a desert. Now we may not find ourselves lost in a physical desert, but… Read more

My wife and I were headed back from an appointment out of town. I looked ahead and asked her, “Does that look like rain or fog way up ahead?” She looked and replied, “I’m not sure, but it doesn’t really matter because we have to go through it.” You see whatever it was, it was… Read more

I have younger and older children. They range from a year and a half to 23 years old. So I have a little experience feeding children. When they are babies to a few years old you have to physically feed them. I’m not talking about just providing their food, but actually feeding them. From the… Read more

I have worked in an industrial setting most of my life. I have always worked on the production side of things. I spent a long time in a manufacturing facility where we produced a wood product. When you are manufacturing something you have specifications (specs). These are detailed measurements and quality standards that define the… Read more

I want to be more like you, Jesus. How many of us have prayed that prayer? We want to shine His light unto the world. We want to reflect God’s glory. Well, go with me for a minute. In Ezekiel 28, the Bible talks about the devil. It describes the stones that were in him.… Read more

The giant redwood tree. People travel great distances to see the majesty of the redwood trees. There are a few interesting facts about the redwoods. Redwoods do not have a single deep taproot. Their roots are typically only 6 to 12 feet deep, this considered quite shallow compared to their massive size; they instead spread… Read more

It was a common occurrence while I was young for someone to randomly show up to see my Daddy. It may be family or a friend, but he would stop what he was doing and visit. He usually asked if they wanted coffee and they would sit and visit. I remember once, one of my… Read more

When my children were young, I had a rule for when they played in the woods beside our house. The rule was simple: stay in the fenced area. That simple, just don’t cross the fence. Why? Because as long as they stayed within the fenced area, they couldn’t get lost. Plus I owned the property… Read more

My wife and I had just moved into our new home. We were enjoying our new home, but something happened a few weeks in. We were experiencing a stench in the house. We begin to search for the source of the smell. We were looking everywhere and could not find it. We finally discovered a… Read more

Electrical conduit is a tube used to protect and route electrical wiring in a building or structure. Electrical conduit may be made of metal, plastic, fiber, or fired clay. Most conduit is rigid, but flexible conduit is used for some purposes. In the production of conduit it goes from a flat form into a bending… Read more

I like a sharp knife. If I want to cut something I do not want to be using a dull knife. I’ve always heard a dull knife will hurt you. So I try to make sure my knives stay sharp. We too have to be sharpened. Proverbs 27:17 KJV Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man… Read more

I doubt that. A phrase that if you’ve lived long enough you’ve heard at some point. One time my son Josh was riding with someone who had hit something that had bent their bumper in towards their tire. Josh told them that I could bend it back out for them. He told them I’d do… Read more

Those that know me, know that I have dealt with back pain for years. I’m talking 20 plus years. I have suffered many things of many physicians. Yes, I have prayed, I have been prayed for, I have tried nearly anything that you can imagine. One early morning I was in a prayer meeting alone… Read more

My Mama had a friend that she would bring around at times. She was a nice older lady, but she would wear you out with one thing. Everything she saw that you had she would say, “I want that.”  Not just once per conversation either. She would do this so much that it eventually terminated… Read more

Have you ever gotten lost in the darkness of night? You may have started out walking in a wooded area while it was still day. Then night fell and you didn’t have a flashlight. You couldn’t tell where you were. Panic starts to set in. You don’t know how to get out. You start to… Read more

  Have you ever felt so down, so crushed by life that you felt alone? You felt so low that you felt like even God didn’t know where you were.  Isaiah 57:15 KJV For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy… Read more

I was told a story about 2 coworkers and a job that I had once. We will call them Chris and Sam for this story. It was said that Chris was a big man, but gentle and kind. Chris was unpacking his lunch and as a nice gesture offered Sam, who was sitting at the… Read more

Have you ever seen a car restoration? It’s quite amazing to see an old junk car brought back to life and put back in pristine condition. There’s a lot of time and money invested into getting these cars in good working condition again. The finished product though is something to behold. Those who restore these… Read more

I have dealt with back pain for most of my adult life. I remember times when my back would “go out,” as  those with back issues say. It would hurt for a week or so then I’d be better until the next time.  There was one time this happened when I tried to move something… Read more

My wife and I were at home and she was obviously tired. I told her to go take a nap and I would watch the boys. I then said, “If we’re going to minister to people then sometimes those people will be the ones in our own home.” She replied, “letting me take a nap… Read more

One Sunday morning my family and I arrived at church. As my wife was getting out of the vehicle her foot got tangled in the strap of her Bible case. She quickly caught her balance before she fell. I jokingly told her, “don’t get tripped up on the Word.” She replied, “it wasn’t the Word… Read more

My little Mama one day got a splinter in her hand. I was at her house that day so she asked me to get it out. I first tried to get a hold on it, but no luck. So I began to try and cut away the skin enough that I could get it. I… Read more

What you are looking at here is the result of a valve wrench slipping and introducing my finger to an adjacent valve stem. Man did it hurt. I could see the top of the dark spot showing immediately at the base of my nail. The picture you see here is 4 months later. Sometimes we… Read more

Most of us have known someone that was just friendly. They were always smiling and shaking hands. They were always willing to help even at great inconvenience to themselves.  Most of us also have known that “friend” that always had their hand out. They always needed something. They were never available if you needed help,… Read more

Don’t you love buffets? Everybody can get something that they like. If you don’t like something, then don’t get it. It’s that simple. We all like to choose what we eat. We do not like even from a young age that we have to eat something.  Do we apply this same thought process to the… Read more

  My family and I have gone on a few vacations now together in a large group. We have gone with at least 3 households at a time. We don’t all leave at the same time and many times we may start from different locations. We all eventually end up on the same road as… Read more

Proverbs 17:19 KJV He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction. Transgressions can mean sin or rebellion.  1 Samuel 15:23 KJV For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft… Strife can mean contention.  1 Corinthians 11:16 KJV But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such… Read more

  I was training once on a large forklift that we used to move bundles of wood that ranged from 10 feet wide to 60 feet wide. I can tell you that moving anything that was 10 to 40 feet wide wasn’t really nerve racking. When you grabbed 48 footers and above though. That was… Read more

I do not like people getting in my way, be it driving, walking through the grocery store, or even walking through my house. I get a little road rage in any instance. I just want to get around them. I’m sure you’re the same way. Now follow me and my imagination here in the book… Read more

I was told a story about an older gentleman whose daughter had cooked him some cornbread and brought it to him still in the cast iron skillet. To repay his daughter for her kind act he decided to clean her cast iron skillet. Many of you just cringed right there, but it gets worse. He… Read more

Most if not all of us have seen it. At a buffet or a large family function where there was a lot of food. There’s usually somebody walking around with a plate that has food nearly falling off of it. Or they sit a full plate down and go back and get another full plate.… Read more

To piggyback on the previous entry about Loquats and Yellow buckeyes I wanted to make a few points. The loquat is an evergreen. It is considered to be a small to medium-sized tree.It can grow up from 20 to 35 ft tall. They bloom in the fall and early winter. Then produce fruit in early… Read more

I discovered a tree on the edge of our church property that I was very excited about. Because the leaves in this tree looked just like the leaves on my loquat tree (otherwise known as a Japanese plum tree) at home. I marked the tree so I could dig it up and transfer it to… Read more

I was having a day in which I was feeling kinda down. It was just like I couldn’t feel God. I tried praying, I tried reading the Word, I listened to preaching and worship music. At one point a thought hit me that I’d like to share with you.  I’m called by many names: John… Read more

If you have ever played hide and seek you’ve heard these words. “Ready or not, here I come.” We always have a certain amount of time to get ready. That time may differ depending on circumstances. Who you’re playing with, where you are, and many other things. The seeker or the person that is it… Read more

I’m sure you’ve heard about the story of Pinocchio. The little boy that had been turned from wood into a real boy. He then finds himself in a situation where he thinks lying is the best way out. He gets himself in a world of trouble that he could have avoided had he just told… Read more

I was having a conversation with a friend, who was having trouble forgiving someone. They knew that they needed to, but just couldn’t find it within themselves to do it. We talked for a while and as the conversation progressed, we changed subjects a few times. He later on the conversation brings up something that… Read more

I was once asked by a couple of coworkers this question. “At what point in an argument should you stop arguing with your wife?” My response was, “When you start! Because at the point that you start arguing, you’re no longer communicating, but rather trying to prove your point and win an argument. If one… Read more

I have unfortunately known a few people that once lived a life dedicated to serving God, that decided to walk away for whatever reason. I had knowledge of one particular man that did this. When he did serve God he was having a positive effect on people that no one else could reach. For some… Read more

I was sitting at our kitchen table one evening eating supper. Suddenly there was a loud roar that you could hear in the distance. I knew that it was just a truck with loud pipes. Living in the country, I’m used to the sound so I didn’t really pay any attention to it. My son… Read more

New year, new me. I’m sure you’ve heard that before. Yep it’s the New Year and time for people to make those New Year resolutions that they usually give up on around the third week of January. It is usually the plan to eat better, work out more, get in shape or maybe it’s to… Read more

Have you ever gotten into a bad deal? It may have been that car that you really wanted. It may have been that “toy” in the form of an atv or camper. It might have even been your house. Either way, we’ve all most likely gotten into a bad deal. My oldest son Joshua once… Read more

The great blue heron can hunt day and night thanks to a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors in their eyes that improve their night vision. They also have great depth perception, helping them see fish deep in the water. They have long legs that enable them to wade through water.  They are also very patient.… Read more

I came across a Porta Potty that caught my attention. It had a strap going over the top of it securing it to some pallets that had concrete blocks on them. It also had a padlock on the door. Somebody went to a lot of trouble to secure that thing. It got me thinking that… Read more

Have you ever heard the phrase, “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn’t get there by himself.” The concept is if something doesn’t have the power within itself to accomplish a certain thing, then you know that it did not do it. The disciples understood this concept.  Acts 3:12… Read more

Luke 24:13-35 KJV 13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and… Read more

One Christmas season our church had a bunch of poinsettias set out for decoration. No one had officially been appointed the “waterer of the plants” so a few people took it upon themselves to do so. Although it was commendable that folks, without being asked, had volunteered to help. It actually created a problem. You… Read more

It’s Christmas Day! Most are gathered together with family and friends to celebrate. They’ve spent many hours searching for that perfect gift. This is often done with sacrifice of time and money all with the intention of making another person happy. Be it a child, spouse, or friend it doesn’t matter. We are trying to… Read more

Tomorrow is Christmas Day! Most people are getting ready for Christmas tomorrow. Many in different ways, but nevertheless they are getting ready.  I’ve thought, what were Mary and Joseph doing to get ready? Were they gathering clean water and cloth? Were they clearing an area in the stable? I mean Jesus was coming the next… Read more

The industrial site that I work at long ago before the plant site was built had to determine where to put it. They final decided on a parcel of land in Louisiana. They began to get everything in order. Then they ran into a snag. Those that were supposed to have inherited it had never… Read more

My wife was at a doctor’s appointment once and had been sitting in the examination room for a long time. Finally she decided to step out and see what was taking so long. When she did, the doctor saw her and said, “I forgot about you.” The doctor and nurses had totally forgotten that she… Read more

I at one point had been having a personal issue when I mowed grass at our church. It seemed like every time I mowed, I got angry. I couldn’t understand why. I mean I didn’t mind mowing the grass. Yet the same thing happened every time. One particular time I was cutting grass around a… Read more

Why don’t you just give up and quit? I mean that’s a good idea right? Because quitting is easy. Just throw in the towel. Move on and just leave it all behind. Be known as a quitter.  I know you’re probably thinking that I’ve fallen off my rocker. Hold on though, I didn’t say what… Read more

Imagine going to a fruit tree orchard to gather fruit. As you arrive you see fruit on the trees and you can barely wait. You reach the first tree and every piece of fruit you grab is rotten. Some even look very delicious, but when you turn it over it’s just as rotten as the… Read more

I was privy to a conversation between two gentlemen once that I’d like to share with you here. One had bought a 2 part gift and presented it to the man and his wife. Once they received the gift the man receiving the gift told the other that he didn’t want part of it. They… Read more

Have you ever played Where’s Waldo? You can spend a long time looking for Waldo. Often you’ll see someone dressed like him, but it’s not him. If you stick it out though you’ll eventually find him. Why don’t you quit looking when you find a character that looks similar? Because that’s not what you’re looking… Read more

  We were at church one Wednesday evening. Before service started our Pastor walked to the fellowship hall to speak with a group of young people that were eating. He told them that it was perfectly fine that they were eating here. He asked that they please clean up behind themselves, because there were a… Read more

Have you ever tried to learn something or do something that it just became so hard that you gave up? Lot’s of people do give up. From my research the high school dropout percentage in the United States is around 5%. While the college dropout rate in the United States is around 32.9% annually. Why… Read more

With Christmas approaching I thought I would share this. I relayed a story to my older children when they were younger that had affected the way that they do something. Here is the story. I used to love to wrap presents differently. I may put them in extra boxes, so the person unwrapping had to… Read more

My wife and I were headed back home from out of town after picking up a swing set for our boys. The swing set was in 2 good size boxes so I had brought my 16′ trailer to haul them on. As we were headed back we realized that we were in desperate need of… Read more

There was a situation that happened in our little local gas station one day. My Daddy had been working all day on the farm. He raised a garden and pigs, so it was hard work and after working all day in this one doesn’t really smell pleasant. Daddy needed some gas and still had work… Read more

In 1 Samuel 10 Saul is anointed by Samuel to be the first king of Israel. After Samuel anoints him, he tells Saul all these things that will happen to him. He does this as a sign to affirm to Saul that he will indeed be king.  Fast forward to 1 Samuel 16 where David… Read more

Have you ever had someone ask you for a drink of whatever you were drinking? You then pass them the drink, not paying attention to how much they are drinking. Then they hand it back empty. At this point you say, ” I thought you wanted A drink.” To which they reply, “that was A… Read more

Luke 2:8-18 KJV 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto… Read more

Have you ever heard the song:  “World Didn’t Give It to Me” Well here’s a line from that song: “This joy I have, the world didn’t give it to me, The world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away ” If this is true, why do we lose our joy so often?… Read more

Understand that we can only accomplish these things with God’s help. John 15:4-5 KJV 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He… Read more

It’s no accident that the devil tempted Eve with food first. Notice that he doesn’t change his tactics. The children of Israel cross the Red Sea and watch their enemies perish in Exodus 15. The very next chapter starts with them complaining about food. Exodus 16:3 ISV The Israelis told them, “If only we had… Read more

Galatians 6:8-9 KJV 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. We must continue… Read more

Galatians 5:16-18 WEB 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. 18 But if you… Read more

Matthew 17:19-21 KJV 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to… Read more

James 4:6-10 KJV 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and… Read more

Jesus said in Matthew 6:16-18 KJV 16 Moreover when ye fast… The first point I’d like to make is that Jesus said, “When you fast,” not if you fast. Fasting is expected.  Matthew 9:14 KJV Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples… Read more

My wife and I go back and forth playfully bantering about the lights in our house being on. It’s not over the electricity bill, she just doesn’t like all the lights on. I on the other hand want every light in the house on if I’m home and awake. I joke with her and say… Read more

Abraham received a promise that he would become the father of many nations in Genesis 17:5. He received the beginning of his promise as in the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21:5. So in 8 chapters he receives Isaac right. That was a 25 year span of time. Not to mention when Abraham received the… Read more

Have you ever wondered why the power button symbol looks like it does? I did so I did some research. It’s actually because of binary code. In computers, 1 is true or “on”, and 0 is false or “off”. So if you have a piece of equipment that has a 0 and 1 (which appears… Read more

Have you ever heard of the Mandela effect? The Mandela effect is a phenomenon where large groups of people share false memories of events or details. Here are some examples. Many people remember the Monopoly Man wearing a monocle (a circular lense worn over one eye), but he actually doesn’t. Many people misremember Darth Vader… Read more

My Daddy was a work horse. I mean this man worked hard his entire life. He grew up during the Great Depression so he had to work hard. I really think he had to learn how to rest because it was such a foreign concept to him. I’d like to take a moment to look… Read more

A very simple rule we hopefully all learned growing up. You go into a restaurant and there are signs that say, “employees must wash their hands.” And we want them to wash their hands. We don’t want someone touching our food or utensils if they don’t wash their hands. Rightfully so too. Did you know… Read more

I remember my Uncle Fred telling about a man that had done him wrong. He was furious about it. He told his brother, my Uncle Dave, about it and he told Uncle Fred to just be nice to the man. Uncle Fred thought this sounded crazy, but he took Uncle Dave’s advice. After some time… Read more

My Uncle Fred used to tell this story about when he went fishing. He said that he caught a fish on his line and when he got it on the bank, it began to walk. So he ran to his truck to get a gun. When he got back the fish had climbed a tree.… Read more

My momma made the best pecan pies. I mean to the point that I didn’t eat other people’s pecan pies, because they didn’t measure up. One day I asked her how she made her pies. Her answer had me in stitches. She said, “I just follow the recipe on the side of the Karo bottle.”… Read more

I have a habit of picking up nicknames. Throughout my life I have had many names that I was known by. Some of these are Little John, John John, Junior, Roy, John Boy, Brother John and I’m sure others that I have forgotten. For the people that called me by these names, that is my… Read more

  Sometimes we are given an answer and we stop asking questions. We just accept the answer we are given. Nicodemus came to Jesus one night and he didn’t just accept the answer. It starts in John 3:3 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be… Read more

I got to see a sight that you don’t get to see regularly. I was on top of a structure and saw the top side of fog. This view prompted a thought. You see if you’re driving through this, you’d barely be able to see. You may have to drive slow, squint your eyes and… Read more

I recently went for an eye exam. As I sat there while the doctor says, “Which is better 1 or 2, 1 or 2.” Finally we reached the end and he tells me, “Well Mr. Ballard, you could get glasses if you wanted and here is the difference.” He then has me look through the… Read more

Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell. As the oyster grows in size, its shell must also grow. This growth occurs when new material is added to the edges of an oyster’s shell. This material is produced by the… Read more

Aggressive mimicry is a type of communication where a predator indirectly manipulates the behavior of its prey. The predator conceals its true identity and sits and waits for the prey to come to it.  Some predators use aggressive mimicry in a way that the predator resembles a nonthreatening third party. Like the American zone-tailed hawk, whose resemblance… Read more

Jesus broke bread with the disciples and told them this is My body. Judas broke Jesus’s heart and trust. The soldiers broke Jesus’s body. Jesus broke out of thy grave. Jesus broke the claim sin had over us. Jesus is still breaking chains in lives today. Chains of addiction, depression, anxiety, sin, etc. Jesus can… Read more

I went to pick up my son Levi, being just over a year old, from daycare. When I entered the room he was unaware. He was totally focused on the two toys he was playing with, one in each hand. I squatted down and said, “Hey, big guy.” His head popped up, eyes wide open… Read more

Before the children of Israel ever faced Jericho or crossed the Jordan River they had some battles to fight. Two of these important battles were with Sihon and Og. These seem to stand out among the battles that they fought. In Psalm 135 it mentions Sihon and Og by name and then bunches all the… Read more

Salt, commonly referred to as table salt, is made up of the elements sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), forming the compound sodium chloride (NaCl).  If you remove the sodium element from salt you are left with only chlorine, which is a gas at room temperature and would not have the same physical properties or taste as… Read more

There are probably many takeaways from the story of Saul and his armor-bearer (armourbearer in the King James), but I’d like to look at the armor-bearer for a minute.  1 Chronicles 10:4-5 KJV 4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me.… Read more

Have you ever gotten into a bad deal? It may have been that car that you really wanted. My oldest son Joshua once got into one of those deals. He was having trouble (not just a little) out of the truck that he owned. The opportunity arose for him to get out of it and… Read more

What do you see in the first picture? Some, dare I say most, would say an impact. I would say this is an obstacle, a weight , something that cannot be used. It can’t even stand up. What about the second picture? Now this is an impact, right? I would say no. It can stand… Read more

I was headed to work one evening and in the distance I could see a dust cloud coming up from a farming area. Well I knew what was going on. I knew there was a combine there, because the dust it was stirring up. I knew this although I could not see the combine. That’s… Read more

Anybody that knows me, knows that I am a coffee drinker. There is a lot to be said about a good cup of coffee. There is also plenty to be said about a bad cup. I have drank coffee with people or tasted coffee that folks have made that was nasty. Usually when you take… Read more