Hi Reader, I recently returned from a solo retreat where I got away to complete a few things. On the first day, I noticed this dog resting on a couch in the lobby of the hotel. (It's common to see cats inside hotels in Turkey, but not dogs.) I spoke to the dog and sent a picture to my wife, saying I wanted to learn something from this dog about rest. It was probably just bored, but it seemed to enjoy resting. It spent time having rest. It rested regularly. I applied what the dog was somehow...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, My wife and I recently returned from a trip to Egypt. One afternoon, we walked through neighborhoods to find local shops and markets - something we enjoy exploring. On the way, I had to go to the bathroom so badly that I held my stomach, hunched over slightly, and walked like an elderly person. Finally, we stopped at a restaurant to use their bathroom, and ordered something light. Thankfully, they had a "western toilet" rather than a squat toilet that looks something like this:...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This past Monday, my wife and I walked to my favorite place to eat fruit. I was glad they still had their Christmas decorations up. (Actually, here in Turkey, they're New Year's decorations.) It's a fun waffle restaurant, with huge plastic strawberries hanging from the ceiling, and pictures on the walls of the owner with famous people. There's even a chocolate waterfall. Here in Turkey, waffles aren't eaten with maple syrup for breakfast. They're covered in chocolate and fruit (and...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I once asked my wife, "What's your favorite part about going to a restaurant." "Eating," she said. We can all relate. Credit: Tenor I laughed a little. The response was so honest. It's probably what most people would say. Don't get me wrong. I like eating, too. But my favorite part about going to a restaurant is that time between when I order and when the food arrives. That time of anticipation. Credit: Giphy The "in-between" time. When I eat alone, I usually do work while I'm...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, A few weeks ago, I traveled back to the USA from my home overseas (in Turkey). It was the first time I was in the USA for Thanksgiving in 15 years, I think. I made it to the Orlando airport at about 1:00am and worked on my laptop for a few hours until it was time for my sister to pick me up. I saw this right after getting off the plane, and it made me smile - the first Christmas tree of the season for me: Then I walked by the chapel and went inside. The airport was quiet. Most...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I just watched this 23-minute video titled, "Do NOT Begin to PRAY without doing this First: C.S. Lewis Messages." I wanted to share it with you. But be warned: you might feel convicted. The speaker criticizes praying while laying in bed. Credit: Tenor If you're ready to be challenged with your prayer practices, click here to have a listen... The video includes quotes from C.S. Lewis. The narrator says there are two types of prayer: Praying in the flesh and praying in the spirit. He...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, In November 2022, I was in Antioch for 11 days, where so much Bible history took place. Technically, I was in Antakya, Turkey - which is the city where Antioch was. At one time, Antioch was one of the most important cities in the ancient world. Today, it’s a regular city. Sadly, it was struck by a terrible earthquake 3 months after my visit. There was so much destruction and loss of life that it's very different today than it was when I was there. Even the hotel I stayed in is...
5 months ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, When I was in Ohio last year visiting my parents, a friend from our church, Gene, invited me to a gathering he and his wife were hosting. It was a lovely evening of food and fellowship. We'd all had a wonderful dinner and were sitting on the back terrace having cake and ice cream, near a tall spruce tree with a large owl "hoo-hoo-ing" at the top. Sitting in a circle, Gene asked us all a question to ponder: "What are you not doing now that you should start doing?" Credit: Giphy We...
6 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, The Serenity Prayer crossed my mind a couple days ago. I thought I'd share it with you: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I looked up the word "serenity" and am pasting the definition here... Credit: https://dictionary.cambridge.org So, to re-phrase the prayer, you could say: God, grant me peace and calmness to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the...
7 months ago • 1 min read
