A plaque at the Alex Haley Memorial harbor bears a message that is timeless and timely… And something to take just a moment to consider today.

In my experience, I have come to believe that resilience is a more important objective than perfection. Resilience means seizing the opportunity of the next moment despite the setback of the last. It means not letting the quest for perfection prevent us from taking the next step towards progress.  Biblically speaking, it means forgetting what… Read More »

Each day has its own character, flavor, energy, pace, rhythm and particularities. Be attuned to it and move through it with the Lord. Rather than trying to manipulate or shape it into what you think it “ought” to be or even what you want it to be, try instead to explore it, experiment with it,… Read More »

Living a good and structured life has its place. It helps us reach our goals. It keeps us out of trouble. It helps prevent us from hurting others. It keeps our lives relatively in order. However, though such discipline may regulate our behavior, it does not give us the abundant life Jesus promised.  The difference… Read More »

My birthday was a fabulous affair.  Now it is in the rearview mirror.  But I am experiencing no let down.  And since this devotional piece is called “The View from My Place,” I’d like to share with you the praises from “my place” from this morning that have kept my celebration going. Thank You, Lord,… Read More »

“God is good all the time!  And all the time God is good!”  It’s a call and response statement in many churches that almost always concludes with a rousing “Amen!” from the congregation.  But it is far more than a cliché.  It is truth! Indeed, the Lord is good.  All the time.  Not just in… Read More »

“Jesus declared, …a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. … a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His… Read More »

Have you ever walked into a group of people and encountered a glance of suspicion, followed by either a longer stare or by forced and awkward politeness? The atmosphere and conversation noticeably changes and you become acutely aware that you are seen as “other.” Maybe you sense it’s because of your race or your gender,… Read More »

This morning during my daily walk, I passed a woman who apparently had as much interest in being sociable as in getting her right hand surgically removed.  On my next lap around she was still standing there and her demeanor was unchanged. But I wasn’t gloomy, so I said, “Seems like the cicada occupation is… Read More »

How can we strengthen our faith in God through prayer?   Ask lavishly. Sometimes unbelief and fear masquerade as “contentment.” Don’t be afraid of making big requests of the Lord. Be honest about what you want. God will not give you a stone for asking for bread.   Trust implicitly. Rely on His good intentions… Read More »