Welcome to My Blog

My Stupidity for His Glory

I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when we concluded our phone conversation. Even though I'd had the opportunity to tell my friend about the Gospel, I was crushed to think of the way I'd done it. Why did I not ask more questions instead of "preaching"?...

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Was Jesus Really in a Stable?

When I recently read Kenneth E. Bailey's book, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels, I was fascinated that he proposes some different ideas about our favorite images of the Nativity. For instance, he suggests that the manger...

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Another Spiritual Dementia Symptom: Protect the Image

I shared with you in a recent post how by caring for my mother-in-law, Audrey, who had Lewy-Body Dementia, I discovered that I have "Spiritual" Dementia. Here's another symptom: "Protect the Image."Audrey often came to me and said, “Someone stole my...

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I Have Lewy-Body Dementia–Spiritually, That Is!

In my post talking about how my mother-in-law, Audrey, had Lewy Body Dementia, which is the same condition Robin Williams had, I mentioned a few symptoms. During the five years that she showed those, we became acutely aware of how God was...

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Be Blessed With This Advent Activity

Even though it's been many years, I can still remember our family enjoying this Advent activity. I don't remember what prompted my idea to create this but here's the premise:Our daughter exclaims, "Mommy, it's time to open another...

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Jesus’ Strange Wording

I'm sure you know the feeling. You're reading along in the Bible, and suddenly, it's as if you see something highlighted in yellow. Yet in the case I'm thinking of, the highlight is more like a muted murky orange, because the verse or the wording is not only strange,...

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What is Lewy Body Dementia that Robin Williams Suffered From?

It seems surreal that Lewy Body Dementia is getting "press" since Robin Williams' suicide and the news that Mr. Williams had been diagnosed with LBD. For so long, few people knew what Lewy Body Dementia was. Ten years ago, our family became aware of it because we...

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Quotable Quote of J.R. Briggs

"I don't like using the word success when talking about ministry. I'd much rather use words like health, faithfulness, and obedience."--J.R. BriggsJ.R. Briggs is a pastor and the author of Fail: Finding Hope and Grace in the Midst of Ministry Failure (InterVarsity...

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Do You Live With An Angry Person?

Do you live with an angry person? Or do you know an angry person whom you must have lots of contact with? It can be a very hard place to be. Do you feel like you're walking on eggshells afraid of the next angry outburst or their hardened heart of silence? I was on...

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Be Assured: I’ve Never Been in Jail

One day I was trying to think of a way to illustrate the concept of "redemption" which is defined as: "To be bought back." This story is what I came up with. Be assured that I've never spent time in jail or in prison--except in my heart. Seated on the bunk in my...

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Have You Tried Washing and Rinsing Your Soul From Sin?

The last time my mom was in the hospital, six months before she died, I paid particular attention to the sign in the bathroom which instructed us, "Wash your hands for three minutes and rinse them for two." I couldn't help but think of visiting our newborn grandson...

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My Mom’s Shocking and Sad Revelation

My Mom’s Shocking and Sad Revelation

I'd thought I'd heard all of my mom's stories but as we sat at lunch about a year ago, she shared something I'd never heard before. It was a shocking and sad revelation for me. My mom and dad eating their wedding cake.Of course, I knew that my mom, Vivian,...

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God’s Severe Mercies in My Mom’s Last Days

God’s Severe Mercies in My Mom’s Last Days

Me, Mom, Chuck & KarenI wonder if sometimes we think God only leads through blessings and smooth paths. I wondered that because of the way God guided our family to bring my mom to my home. It was through a difficult situation. It is what some have called "God's...

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God’s Mercies At My Mother’s Heavenly Entrance

God’s Mercies At My Mother’s Heavenly Entrance

Vivian Grace  Dauer, Collard, Daugherty, about 19 years oldMy precious mom, Vivian, entered glory and was welcomed by Jesus this past Tuesday, October 14th, 2014. It was such a blessed event. We sensed God's merciful hand all over it. On Monday, the hospice...

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Book Give-Away: “Healed, Healthy and Whole”

Book Give-Away: “Healed, Healthy and Whole”

I'm pleased to be able to feature the new book, Healed Healthy and Whole by Marion Pyle and to welcome a guest post from her. She would like to send the winner of a drawing an autographed copy of her book. You can put a comment on this blog post or write me:...

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