Before paved roads, wagon wheels left deep ruts. When rain dried, ruts pulled wheels into the deep grooves, whether the driver wanted to go in them or not. Ruts do that. Stories create ruts in your mind. Popular stories create the deepest ruts. Consider: Are there any virgins on sit-coms? Not unless they’re being mocked,Continue reading “Ruts.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
Don’t Embrace Fire.
When was your worst burn? Do you remember the way it burns for hours? The redness? Blisters, maybe? Fire is so dangerous and yet we play with it all the time. Some of us play with actual fire, with firecrackers, gasoline, and pyromania. Or maybe you love sparklers or Roman candles. Or twirling the endContinue reading “Don’t Embrace Fire.”
Toxic Sexuality.
People talk about so-called “toxic masculinity” these days, arguing about what that might be. But there is something much more toxic than masculinity: toxic sexuality. God created sex. He designed it to be a wonderful gift within marriage. But people have invented hundreds of ways to twist and pervert this sacred gift, turning it intoContinue reading “Toxic Sexuality.”
Running the Sprinkler.
Have you ever taken a drink from a water hose? We all did it as kids. No one asked how clean the hose was. What about a sprinkler? Could you drink the cool, white water spraying from a sprinkler? This is the time for watering lawns. Times like this make me glad I liveContinue reading “Running the Sprinkler.”
Do You Know What a Cistern is?
When your mother and I went to Mountain Lake in 1994, I found the entire trip fascinating. The small-town, Mennonite community was amazing. But one thing I will never forget is the home of Papa’s parents, Art and Linda Stadtlander. They had a cistern in the house! That is like a basement full of water.Continue reading “Do You Know What a Cistern is?”
Are All Sins the Same?
I run across this idea all the time. What do you think? Does God consider white lies equal to murder? Is cheating on a spelling test as a child the equivalent of cheating on your wife twenty years later? NO. All sins are NOT the same in God’s eyes. The confusion seems to come fromContinue reading “Are All Sins the Same?”
Study to Show Thyself Approved by God.
Nothing is more important than wisdom, right? Are you SURE? Wouldn’t you trade wisdom for treasure? Or for SOMETHING? “Wisdom is better than diamonds. Nothing you desire can even be compared to it” Proverbs 8:11. NOTHING is more valuable. So how do you get wisdom? It begins with SUBMITTING to God: “The FEAR OF THEContinue reading “Study to Show Thyself Approved by God.”
Neighbors.
“Don’t plan to harm your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you” Proverbs 3:29. Relationships with neighbors are tricky. When you choose a home, you often know nothing about the neighbors until you are moved-in. When you finally meet, you may find yourself in a long-term relationship with someone you like, someone youContinue reading “Neighbors.”
Picture Jesus Happy.
Do you know anyone who is happy all the time? Who is it? What makes him so happy? Solomon was the wisest person, and Samson may have been the strongest. But can you imagine the happiest person who ever lived? I wonder what that person was like? How do you picture Jesus? Happy? Sad? Angry?Continue reading “Picture Jesus Happy.”
People Who Do What is Right are Happy!
Aren’t coloring books fun? Remember the smell of grinding crayons into that thick paper? Did you try to stay inside the lines? In a 1992 TV ad, a nerdy teacher in Kissinger glasses walks up and down the rows of an elementary classroom saying, “Stay within the lines. The lines are our friends,” but oneContinue reading “People Who Do What is Right are Happy!”
Household Words: 