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A widely accepted adage says, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This statement tries to get us to accept that as time goes on, it’s too late to make a change. Many enjoy the Discovery Channel show, “Mythbusters”, which takes on widely believed assumptions and attempts to disprove them. One of my favorite episodes challenges the above-mentioned adage head-on. The hosts found an aging pair of Alaskan malamutes who didn’t know a single trick in the book. Malamutes are also known for the...
A memorable experience in my teenage years was a strenuous hike up Mount Rainier in Washington State. I ascended the mountain to an elevation of a little over 10,000 feet arriving at Camp Muir. This camp contains shelters that are important staging camps for mountaineers desiring to summit the peak of Mount Rainier. Those planning to reach the summit of the mountain rely on the refuge of Camp Muir to provide shelter while awaiting a mountain summit. There is no way to accurately plan or predict...
This has been an eventful summer in Seeley Lake. We have faced a threatening fire for multiple weeks while under an evacuation warning for most of the time, only to have an evacuation become a reality for many. On top of this our community endured a long period of unrelenting smoke. From our situation in Montana we have also watched increasing wildfires spread through the Northwest stretching firefighting resources to the limit. There were also devastating hurricanes affecting the lives of so...
From the Bible, we come to discover the descriptions of Who God is, or His attributes. Not only do we have an understanding about God, we also gain a deeper appreciation of how we can trust in God. I want to highlight the attribute that God is eternal. This means that God is not created but has always existed. There is no beginning and no end to God…the Lord exists outside of time and limits. The world around us and the visible universe is our reference for what exists. I was born in a c...
I have been talking through the attributes of God, the descriptions of Who God is and how God relates to humanity. I want to share about the attribute of God’s mercy. To show mercy is to not give what would normally be deserved. Occasionally those in prison are pardoned and allowed to be released without having served their entire sentence. They are shown mercy, to receive something other than what was originally deserved. Not only does God act with mercy towards humanity, His mercy is part o...
We live in an era when it is easier and easier to get what we need, when we want it. Yet, we are still limited by availability. There can be occasions when we have to wait to see the dentist or arrive at a store before closing time. Often there are people we need to meet with who may not be available for a long time. As I continue to write about the attributes of God, what is certain is that God is never closed for business. An attribute of God describes the Lord’s character, His nature, and w...
We are on the other side of another Christmas season. Many are working on thank-you notes to extend appreciation for gifts received. For most, the desire to give a gift to another person is an expression of love and kindness. We desire to show goodness and thoughtfulness to others. An attribute of God is His Goodness, which is wrapped up in God’s character. God’s goodness is His understanding of what is in our best interest and God’s loving desire to provide what is good for us. God’s underst...
One week into December and we are right in the middle of the Christmas season. I love Christmas, I always have. My memories of Christmas down through the years were always very positive. The ancient beginnings of Christmas are controversial for many. Some hold that Christmas originated out of pagan beliefs and practice. Yet others affirm that Christmas, from the very beginning, was designed to honor the birth of our Savior sent to rescue mankind. Frankly I don’t lose any sleep over these c...
There have always been times throughout history when people have been apprehensive about the future of the nation and world. We are quickly approaching the next presidential election. This is a season of giving great consideration to who to vote for to be the next president. At times like this I am reminded, or must be reminded, that God is not only in control of my life but also within rulers and authorities. God has divine control over everything that happens in the world…we understand this a...
One of my favorite slogans is, “Ask a teenager now…while they still know everything.” We’ve all been on both sides of this. It is common for youth to feel certain that they possess a firm understanding of life. Yet, with age, comes a humble understanding that is shaped by wisdom and life experience. In my articles I have been taking a look at attributes of God, the many different terms that describe how wonderful God is. The attributes of God describe for us the beauty and truth of God that di...
In my previous articles I have focused on an attribute of God. An attribute is a description of who God is and how God relates to us. Understanding the attributes of God are important to know the beauty of who God is and the truth of how the Lord acts toward people. Every attribute of God points us to how God provides for us and protects. I want to look at the character of God as being just and fair. The idea of just is an action or behavior that is morally right and fair. When we speak of...
This past month our family traveled back to Washington to celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful visit with my parents, along with my brother and family traveling from Florida. The occasion of 50 years of marriage together was truly a time of celebration and thanksgiving. As my parents looked back over their years together, they were full of gratitude for the years they have shared and all the blessings received. Furthermore, all those who are close with my parents have experienced the example and demonstration of w...
I love the beauty of a fresh covering of snow. After several days without a new snowfall, the ground begins to look muddy, full of tire tracks and various debris covers the surface. Once a new layer of fresh snow covers the ground once again the beauty starts all over again. As we get ready to step into a new year, I am reminded of the importance of a fresh start. The beginning of a brand new year shows us that we can start over. We may have fallen into bad habits, experienced personal trials or feel stuck. Standing on the doorstep of 2016,...
There is an ancient story in the Bible that speaks of hurt and hopelessness. This story is timeless as there are many around us who are hurting, suffering, and without hope…yet those around are unaware. The Old Testament tells about a woman named Hannah in 1 Samuel. Hannah was unable to bear a child. This is a still a heartache for many women today. Especially in Hannah’s day not being able to bear children was a source of shame to not be able to have heirs to pass on property and wealth. Hannah had a loving husband Elkanah who saw that somethi...
