I’m sure all of us have had experiences where the hair on the back of our neck stood up because some unexplained circumstance that defied the odds played out in our lives.

A few years ago I was taking a few young people from church on a trip halfway across Canada. As I was driving I shared about a friend of mine who was dying of cancer. I had met Dave through teaching Sunday school years ago, and we immediately shared a special bond in our faith and love for the outdoors. Dave was a father figure to many young guys and had greatly impacted my life; how sad it was that the cancer was getting the best of him. I dropped off the young people at their destination and decided to start the two day drive back home. more…

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: Sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves as all such things as these: anger, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of it’s Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all and is in all.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, cloth yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:5-14) more…