The greatest gift flows only on the seas of freedom With forgiveness, patience, kindness, absolution Love harbors gratitude, respect, appreciation Sailing far ‘round the trenches of commerce Rising above the realm of rights No human claims the ocean It can’t be bought, stolen, or owed No one gains a river as a birthright No one…
Images by Jon Farmer The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. Psalm 29:3 MORE BY JON FARMER
“For to us a child is born… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 How does it feel when a significant family member can’t make it to a holiday gathering? Or maybe they come, but you’re at odds? Maybe it’s between you and a sibling, a…
“Straight through the forest is your way now. Don’t stray off the track!” “…if you do, it is a thousand to one you will never find it again and never get out of Mirkwood.” These are the words of Galdalf to Bilbo and his company of dwarfs in THE HOBBIT, by J.R.R. Tolkin. I recently…
How do we escape from living a lie and find a life of truth? I know a white American, who spoke for years of his yearnings to join mission work in Africa. Ten years ago, God answered his prayer. We heard of ways he changed his Western thinking and way of life, taking on a…
Do you ever wonder if anyone really knows you? Are you exhausted from trying to please everyone and tired of pretending? For today’s discussion, I’m playing the role of HOST while sitting on my front patio with three guests. HOST: To my left in the red chair, we have my confident friend, SHOW, who strives…
Jon toils over his blueberry plants to produce a bountiful, flavorful yield. All who try his berries say they’ve never tasted better. Recently, a visiting youngster stuffed blueberries in his little belly until his navel popped out, saying, “I don’t care if I’m full, I’m gonna keep eating them ‘cuz they’re so good.” 15 minutes…
Part 1 – Escaping the endless search for self. I read a post today by a best-selling author who shared his sense of liberation in the belief that his real self lies somewhere behind all the roles he plays or the titles he claims. The writer saw his inner being as separate from who he…
Escape burnout and thrive in 12 areas of life and ministry! The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Isaiah 35:1 My life came to a stop in a matter of weeks when my episodic migraines transformed into a daily disabling condition. Never have I felt more used up.…
For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light…
“Pride goes before destruction,” warns King Solomon (Prov. 16:18). “Be alert and of sober mind,” urges Peter the disciple (1 Pet. 5:8). “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall,” says Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 10:12) The mind loves to slip from compassion to passion before we know it’s…
No dad on earth is perfect. Only God is a perfect Father and a perfect Shepherd. He fills the gaps every earthly father leaves with qualities such as King David describes in the 23rd Psalm. My dad is not perfect, but I thank the Lord for blessing me with a father who continually adjusts his…
You are who you are at home. Unknown What’s going on behind all the doors closing out disease across the globe right now? Few things weigh on me more than ongoing stress and strife with family. I thank the Lord for peace in my home as of today, Good Friday, 2020. There are moments of…
I’m a planner. I like to look ahead and prevent the possibility of future crises. This serves me well in many situations. But sometimes trying to plan becomes so overwhelming I create my own crisis. You know that out-of-control feeling you get when you see a hundred different things that could go wrong and want…
Heaven is a place where you forever see only the good God has made from your scars. Hell is a place where you forever curse God for allowing your scars. God has his scars too. The cost of his love for you. He wears them outstretched with honor.
