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Thursday, January 8th, 2026
I went to the doctor yesterday. The ENT to be exact. What a difference! For the past month or so I have felt my ears were not as clear as they should be. I’d wake up in the morning and it was like both ears were having issues, especially the left, with hearing. After some manipulation, I could almost hear the obstruction give way. There’s a story behind that.
A few years ago I began to feel like I was in a tunnel when I talked. It seemed like I could barely hear myself talk and couldn’t quite figure out if I was talking too loud or not. So I went to an ENT and Alexa (yep that is her name) fixed me right up. Both ear drums were obstructed with wax. A good amount of suctioning later, I was as good as new. So we decided every 3 months would be good. After a few visits we tried to figure out what was causing the wax build up. I stayed away from Q-tips and using a towel to dry my ears. I asked her about my ear buds and decided to try headphones instead. Bulky, and not definitely not as “pretty,” but that did the trick. Until yesterday, the results had been fairly good. This past visit it was decided to push it to 6 months. Not a good thing. And that is where I found myself yesterday.
Let’s switch gears. Let’s move from my “ear history” to another type of hearing. Hearing the Word. Listening to what God has to say in His Word. The similarities abound. Obstruction. Hardness of hearing. Not really sure if I am hearing correctly. Until I took care of the obstruction causing my hearing difficulty, I was hindered. I could not hear clearly, barely at all at times. Scripture abound with references to hearing. Jesus was constantly telling His followers to listen. “He who has ears to hear let him hear.” “For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.” (Mt. 13:13). “Today, if you hear His voice…” 7 times in Revelation 2-3 He says, “Let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
People are hearing impaired and need sign language. People are also spiritually hearing impaired and need to listen to the “language” of the Bible. Clean out that wax and open your ears to “hear what the Spirit says.”
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: God's Word, Hearing, Hearing God's Voice, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story, Surrender
Wednesday, January 7th, 2026
Psalm 20:7
“Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.” (NLT)
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (ESV)
“Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God.” (CSB)
As you can see, 3 different versions give 3 different perspectives. But one thing is true: they all say virtually the same things, or cause us to ask a question: “In what or in Whom do I trust?” Trust is a strange commodity. It involves the smallest, most inconsequential thing; it also involves the important. From trusting that water will flow from my shower, to my car starting in the morning, to this chair I am sitting in to hold me as I type this, I exhibit trust. I don’t stop to ask if the water will flow, the car will start, or my chair will collapse. I trust.
On a grander scale, I trust my wife to love me, my children to conduct themselves correctly, and God to be faithful and good. I don’t always understand Him or His ways. I don’t always know or see His purpose or timing. I have no crystal ball. I don’t have visions or dreams. I have had no heavenly visitor. I have His Word. “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” (Ps.18:30 NLT)
My word for today (in case you can’t guess 🙂 ): TRUST. When I can’t see. When I don’t know. When I’m at my wit’s end. Horses and chariots falter. God never does.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, Faith/Trust, God's Plan, God's Word, Opinion, Perseverance, Reflection, Scripture look
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026
“When you play with fire, you either get burnt or smell like smoke.” That’s an old saying I heard years and years ago and have never forgotten it. And yes, I have used it on many occasions.
It came back to me as I read the following verses from Proverbs 6:27-28:
Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? (CSB) Can a man walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? (NLT)
The context of those verses is speaking of adultery. Can a man (or a woman) embrace another (that’s not talking a casual side hug) and not be left unscathed? Further reading gives even more clarification of those verses and the subject.
But let’s take it beyond adultery for a moment. That can be applied to the addictions we are chained to: porn, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, gambling, risky financial ventures, embezzlement, and more. Who plans on becoming an addict when they take that first drink, pill, or (you fill in the blank)? That’s the genius of this verse. Don’t start. Don’t deceive yourself by saying it will never happen to me. All it takes is one time to get some people hooked. The question we must consider is, “Do I want to take that chance I might be the one to get hooked?”
Key thought: Don’t start. Play with fire and you get burnt or smell like smoke. Perhaps you can start by praying something simple like this prayer: “Help me, Father, to break the chain that keeps rearing its ugly head and has its grip on me.”
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Addictions, Choices, Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Plan, Lifestyle, Opinion, Prayer, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Spiritual battle
Monday, January 5th, 2026
I read today from Matthew 11 & 12. 12:34b-37 speaks of the words one/I say. After speaking about a tree being known by its fruit, Jesus goes on to say the following:
For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. (NLT)
Those words cut. Deeply. I will call it slice and dice. When I spout off angry words; when I spew spiteful words; when I vomit repulsive words, it is evidence of evil in my heart. Not just recent either. It has taken up residence in me. This also goes much deeper than curse words spoken in the heat of the moment or spoken in every day speech (many not even realizing they are using them). Personally I find the use of vulgarity repulsive. I read an interview with someone the other day (and he claims to be a Christ-follower) who used the “s” word multiple times and even used the “f” word (which I find totally disgusting whether by a man or a woman). But lest I sound like a judgmental creep, I have to take into account the times I say unkind words about someone or spread a juicy morsel, founded or unfounded. Like my mother used to say, “Bill, remember. When you point a finger at someone there are always 3 pointing back at you.”
The word for today is to remember your words. To quote the psalmist: “May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Ps. 19:14 NLT)
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Abusive speech/words, Christian Living, Kindness, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Speech
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
I’m going to try to start posting about my sermon on the weekends. After this past year spending the whole year preaching from Genesis to Revelation, I felt it was time to get back to some basics. Around October or so I began to think and ponder what I wanted to preach about in 2026. I ran through several different scenarios and wrote them all down and then let it simmer. I call it “soaking the beans.” Gradually, I realized I wanted to spend specific time talking about and looking at Jesus. But then, of all times, I heard a song while working out at the Y that screamed at me, “This is it!” Here is the song (sorry I don’t have the lyrics for it. The band is from Finland so he does have a slight accent).
So the theme for 2026 is STILL THE ONE! My theme verse is Revelation 5:13- “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
Sunday’s message is fleshing out that theme, sort of like opening the door. I’ll be using John 1:1-15; 6:68-69 and Hebrews 1:1-14 as my Scripture. If you are able, I would love to have you join us in person or via live stream. You can go to ovcf.org for all the information to connect and listen. I would be more than honored if you would.
Remember: there is NO ONE like Jesus!!
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Jesus, Sermon Series
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
I GUARANTEE you will hear today something like “2025 is now history. 2026 is like a new page in front of you. Blank.” To copy Doc Brown from Back to the Future 3, he tells Marty and Jennifer when she says she brought back the paper from the future and it is erased, “Of course it’s erased. Your future hasn’t been written yet. No one’s has. So make it a good one. Both of you.” I would disagree with that because I believe God knows my future, but in a sense it is also true. None of us know our future. While we look back at 2025 with “backward eyes,” we can look to 2026 with “forward eyes.” I can look back and see highlights and lowlights of 2025. I witnessed the graduation of my grandson from High School and entrance into Ohio State University as a freshman. I also, sadly, saw my best friend, Dave, pass away from a glioblastoma after an 18 month fight. There are many more I could list but that would become tedious. 🙂
I used to close every year of my blog with a song. I will do that again. If you really want to get a kick out of the video with a blast from the past, here is the official video. Check out the hair!! 🙂 Have fun and a smile with that.
But I am focusing on something else as I close out the year. Something I learned (in spades as they say) this past year. It is also something I want to pursue even further in 2026. Please stop for a moment and check out this video. I promise it will not be offensive in any way, except to stir you and make you think. Here is the video with lyrics. I no longer make resolutions. I have only one desire and that is to realize the depth of this song’s lyrics as I pursue Jesus with all my heart. I simply pray that whatever comes my way in 2026, I will see God’s mercies new every morning.
In an upcoming post, I will tell you about this coming year’s theme and Sunday’s sermon. Stay tuned. (And yeah…that’s clickbait). 🙂 🙂
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God, God's Plan, Jesus, Leadership, Lifestyle, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Surrender, The future
Tuesday, December 30th, 2025
“They left me here and I haven’t seen them since.”
That was from the disturbing devotional thought I read today courtesy of Our Daily Bread. It was the story of a man who was taken to a nursing home years before by his daughter, who left him saying, “We are going to a nice hotel,” and he hasn’t seen her since. My heart ached for that man. It is also clearly a case for elder abuse. The story went on to say that this man was still traumatized by this act of callousness by his daughter.
To be honest, I don’t know all the facts of why she did what she did. Payback? Revenge? Greed? Who knows? What I do know is no one, and I mean NO ONE, deserves to be treated like that. I know a woman whose sister is a raging alcoholic in a nursing facility, but she makes efforts to visit her. Sadly, the sister does not and cannot reciprocate.
The story of the man got me to thinking though of the many others who are treated like that. Not just in a nursing home. But in daily life. How many people cross my path on a daily basis who are lonely? Hurting? Confused? Abused? People can be in a crowd and still be lonely. Do I see them? I must truthfully answer, “Sometimes I don’t.” I don’t think it is on purpose, although I do tend to look the other way when I see panhandlers on busy exits and street corners. The horror stories of what they really have cause me to shy away. But aside from them, do I really see people?
“Father, help me to have Your heart and Your eyes to see people as you see them. If they are lonely, help me to see to give them a hand up or a shoulder to lean on.”
What about you?
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Compassion, elder abuse, Kindness, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Monday, December 29th, 2025
By now most have had the opportunity to evaluate their Christmas. Good. Bad. Indifferent. Lonely. Emotional. Those are the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Days of reflection both backwards and forwards.
My college age grandson used to say, whenever you asked him how things were going, “Solid.” Since I’m 73 I confess to not really using that term. I knew what it meant because of the context. But use it? What am I…16 & 17 all over again? 🙂 No. I remember a 30+ year old neighbor who went all gaga over The New Kids on the Block. “For crying out loud,” I wanted to say. “You are over 30 years old with a husband and two children. Act your age.” Of course, I guess I can’t say much. We have grandmas and some football player going all gaga over someone named Taylor Swift. (For the life of me I still can’t figure that one out). Anyway…we ended up going to Ohio on Wednesday and returning Friday after spending Christmas with our Ohio family. It was my first time staying in an Airbnb and I gotta admit: it was nicer than staying in a sterile hotel room. There was plenty of room to spread out; a super huge kitchen which allowed Janna to cook sausage gravy and biscuits (which has been our go to meal for Christmas for ages. Instead of Jo cooking though, Janna has taken over that chore); and 4 bedrooms, of which we only needed 3. If I had not received any presents (which is what I ask for every year), my life would have been complete just being with my family. We came home to continued work on our shower (there was more damage and consequent mold than originally thought), and he will return today to finish up some wiring. That’s what you get when you have an older home, built before the turn of the century (this one!). The house is easily 40-50 years old so you can imagine the wiring. Hopefully, that will be done today.
Honestly, I seldom ever suffer from “the downs.” God has blessed me with the ability to deal with defeat or discouragement quickly, learn from it, and move on. After losing my job, my first concern was not, “Where am I going to go?” but the need to take care of my family. After going to Alaska in 2019 I lived on a high for weeks. After visiting my now deceased friend in Arizona in February of ’24, I was so thrilled to have spent time with him, I lived on a high, until his devastating diagnosis of a glioblastoma. The time between Christmas and New Years is not a time for being down, but a time for looking ahead. Maybe I don’t suffer from the after-Christmas blues because I have learned that God is all I need. I can celebrate Christmas all year ’round and don’t need a tree and lights.
After all…love, joy, and peace never go out of style. Spread it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: After Christmas Blues, Choices, Christian Living, Kindness, Leadership, Lifestyle, Love, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025
In two short days, Christmas will be here. Have you ever noticed how it seems like the Christmas season has ended and no sooner has it ended than it seems it comes around again? I think that is called “time flies when you are having fun.” 🙂
Jo, Tami and I will be heading to Ohio tomorrow (Wednesday) to spend Christmas day with our family (daughter, Janna; her significant other, Mike; our grandson, Braden; his girlfriend, Cameron; and Andrew, Mike’s son). For the first time we will be staying at an AirBNB because Mike and Janna’s place is too small for all of us. We crammed in there last year but that only happened because Andrew was gone seeing a girl and Braden and Cameron came after visiting her family’s side. Mike decided he didn’t like the crowded conditions and booked a BNB for us. It will be nice to be together and not in a sterile hotel room, or in a cramped and crowded duplex. We plan to return Friday since both Mike and Janna have to work. We hope to be coming back to a new walk-in shower and bathroom. Rusty, a man from the church, says he can get it done.
So I would like to leave you with some thoughts since this will be my last post until next Monday (the 29th). I have been reading Alistair Begg’s Christmas devotional called Let Earth Receive Her King for the past 24 days. I confess that some of my thoughts have found their seed from his book, although I tried to write original stuff. (How’s that for an educational word?). In the last devotion, #24, he wrote this:
The New Testament ends in the way the Old Testament ends: looking forward with anticipation and confident expectation. That is one of the marks of Christian reality. It is one of the tests of the vibrancy of our faith and the spiritual vitality of our churches. We are a waiting people: waiting not for Christmas but for Christ….So as another Advent season draws to a close, look forward so that you will continue to be drawn to what lies ahead.
Many people will look back over Christmas and wonder and wish. I have always found that to look backwards is not a good thing to do. We can learn from the past, true. But we must look ahead. The writer of Hebrews says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” (Heb. 12:1-2 NLT)
So…MERRY CHRISTMAS my friends. Look ahead. Focus on Jesus. (I can’t wait to share with you about 2026!!)
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Christmas, God's Plan, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Reflection, Story
Monday, December 22nd, 2025
What is the heart of the Christmas story?
Ask a child and he/she might say, “Presents.”
Ask a teenager and he/she might say, “Seeing my family and friends.”
Ask an adult and he/she might say, “Humility. Love. Peace. Joy.”
I’m speculating, of course, because I am not a mind reader. 🙂 I know there are some who know and can articulate what Christmas is all about.
The heart of Christmas is more than just one answer. Philippians tells us that “Jesus gave up His divine privileges (emptied himself) and he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” Jesus ate. He drank. He worked. He slept. He relaxed-just like everybody else. And yet, He was more than just a man. From birth to death He proved His humanity. He also showed His divinity from birth to death. He controlled the wind and the waves. He healed. He turned water into wine. He brought back people from the dead.
At the heart of Christmas is the truth that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. There are some heretics who say Jesus was born human, became divine at His baptism, and then became human again before His death. That is heresy! Although we cannot grasp it, Jesus being fully God and fully man is at the center of Biblical truth. Strip Him of His divinity and He is just a man. Strip Him of His humanity and He is untouchable.
I like the way I heard it put: He who was somebody became a nobody so that we who are nobodies might in Christ become somebodies. What the church requires and what the world requires is that we would not seek to be somebodies but that we would embrace being nobodies who have found their life in Christ and Christ alone.
Be a nobody (in the real sense of the word).
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christmas, God's Plan, Humility, Jesus, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
