Mission Moments: Latest News

Two years ago I invited Pastor Steve Aldrich, Founder of Lifeworkx, to join me and connect with my pastor friends in Kenya.  That event was held in Athi River, Kenya with Pastor Nicholas and his wife Catherine

The African Iris is a thing of beauty.  But when there is a grouping of them, they absolutely are striking! Connecting this to John 15 where Jesus talks about the Vine and the Branches — the implication is that there is no bloom - no fruit from the stem or branch, unless it remains connected to the Vine.

One of the many trees Melodie decorates for the Christmas season! One of my favorite accounts in the Christmas narrative is the announcement of the Angel to the Shepherds: And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2.10

When God streams his rays of  light into our lives, it gets our attention.  We feel the warmth of his embrace and we drop everything to linger in his presence.  And in that moment, it begs a response from our entire being.

Among the many observations about the life of the Apostle Paul, we can clearly state that he had a single focus.  He said about himself:  My purpose is to finish my course [God’s agenda for his life] and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.  Acts 20.24

My brother and father of 91 years old are in the cab of the combine harvesting soybeans. Farm life is woven into the fabric of my DNA.  So many spiritual truths and life lessons come from the farming experience.  

This is one of the unique trees in Kenya, Africa.  It rises to great heights, with seemingly a small trunk.  It is a bold projection into the sky without any hindrance.  It usually stands alone, but captures the attention of all who pass by.

I have a couple of butterfly bushes around my house that attract beautiful specimens like this one.  I water these bushes faithfully all summer and into the fall so they will produce life-giving nectar to these transformed butterflies.

It is Spring in Virginia.  The Forsythia bush and Bradford Pear trees are the first to remind us of the new season — a resurrection of new beginnings.  How fitting that Easter falls into this season of remembering the passion of Christ and the celebration of his Resurrection.