Monthly Archives: February 2013

Chapter 7 – Is The Test Fair? Standardized public school tests are often the subject of much debate.  Since there are disparities in the quality of school systems using the tests, the results do not always reflect a student’s potential.  … Continue reading →

Chapter 6 – A Tested Faith is Not an Absence of Faith “Take a deep breath!” The stranger’s advice wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but it was what I needed.  My parents had given me permission to rent a … Continue reading →

Chapter 5 – Broken Lead I have always been a lead breaker. As a lefty my writing style is rather unorthodox, and I have a bad habit of holding utensils too tightly and pushing down hard. Mechanical pencils are impossible … Continue reading →

Chapter 4 – The Insurgence of Doubt and Fear The devil’s workshop is furnished with doubt and fear.  These are the twin terrors he uses to torture our souls and slow our progress.  Normally, we keep these threats at bay, … Continue reading →

Chapter 3 – When Our Certainties Become Uncertain The spiritual delusions that form as a result of our trials cause us to question the things we thought we understood.  This doesn’t mean these things are no longer true, or that … Continue reading →

Chapter 2 – A Metaphor for Faith Painful events and ongoing trials can threaten the foundations of our faith.  We are only human, and the pathway to peace can include episodes of confusion and prolonged seasons of grief. When our … Continue reading →

Dear Morning Devotion Group – Yesterday’s entry completed our Pencil Faith series.  I am in the process of editing my blog entries into an 18 chapter book to be self-bound and given to those I meet with questions about trials.  … Continue reading →

During the season when our church family was recovering from the loss of its facility, we sojourned for three years without a permanent home.  This created immeasurable stress on our church staff since we often had to scramble at the … Continue reading →

We are made stronger as we admit our weaknesses and assume the role of clay jars, allowing God’s glory to be seen.  This presents another ironic twist in Satan’s strategy.  Not only do his attempts to defeat us drive us … Continue reading →

Once a friend of mine said, “Doesn’t the Bible say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger?”  I’ll confess I had to look, and the answer is “no.”  Not only is the answer no, but the statement is attributed to … Continue reading →