Alcatraz.  The name itself conjures horrifying imagines of cold jail cells, stark and barren walls, hardened criminals, and a reputation that nobody can escape from this federal prison.  Some of the things I learned while studying provides a more comprehensive picture of this historical landmark. Alcatraz Island is 1½  miles off the coast of San… Read More »

Who would have thought that the first day of spring could be so complicated?!?  Evidently, it is.  Today is the first day of spring astronomically.  This day will fluctuate between March 19, 20, and 21 based on the vernal equinox.  “The vernal equinox marks the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator. This is the… Read More »

He fills my mouth with laughter, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha … the joy of the Lord is my strength.  In 1971, Alliene G. Vale wrote this familiar and simple chorus for children.  While biographical information about the author is unavailable, her song has encouraged and uplifted many these past 55 years. Today is National… Read More »

Yesterday, we began looking at a blog post from Pastor Paul Chappell.  His message encouraged us not to just let Easter happen to us but to prepare for it.  With only about 2 ½ weeks left before the Passion Week begins, it seems like we should take this time to align our hearts properly. As… Read More »

We are only about 2 ½ weeks before Passion Week begins, the week that leads to the crucifixion and the resurrection.  Pastor Paul Chappell offers a great message of preparation for that week.  I believe we need the message now in order to implement this preparation.  Please read this carefully and allow the Lord to… Read More »

Walter MacFarlane (no relation) and Alan Robinson were both born in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 1940s, just 15 months apart.  The men formed a bond as young boys during their days in school that has lasted all these years. Our story starts with Walter.  He was given up for adoption by his mother.  To this… Read More »

I am neither a quilter nor a knitter, however there would be no shame if I was.  Former NY Giants and LA Rams legend Rosey Greer famously told how he crocheted, knit, did needlepoint and macramé. “In 1972, Grier wrote Rosey Grier’s Needlepoint for Men, a book that was published by Walker and Company on January 1,… Read More »

I’m writing this devotional on February 19.  Today was the first thunderstorm of the season, complete with a dazzling lightning show.  I was driving in to the school for my bus route around 6:20 a.m. and the flash of light in the sky startled me.  Before long, the skies flickered with brilliant shades of white,… Read More »

Around 375 B.C., philosopher Plato wrote Republic which contained a phrase in Latin that translates, “our need will be the real creator.”  In 1658, Richard Franck gave the more English-friendly rendering that is with us today:  Necessity is the mother of invention.  He wasn’t kidding! On this day in 1877, Chester Greenwood of Maine received… Read More »

Dear ladies, you can’t win for losing!  Christian author Abigail Dodds writes, “What has the power to set a woman on edge and make her feel everything from shame to pride to embarrassment to judgment to superiority and in between? Ask her what she does for a living. “Among Christians, this shouldn’t be the case,… Read More »