Monthly Archives: February 2015

“When life changes to be harder, change yourself to be stronger. Our challenges are what mold us, refine us, and make us into all we were intended to become.” (Zig Ziglar)

Life does change. Challenges do come. And how quickly they can occur! Indeed the classic old hymn is right, “Time is filled with swift transition.”

We’ve all experienced it. That heart-rending phone call with a sobbing voice on the other end with tragic news. The results of a test and the Doctor’s unfavorable prognosis. The husband announces that he’s leaving to the shock of his wife and children. A close associate who betrays your trust. A once devoted friend who cowardly leaves when you need him the most. Continue reading →

It was 800 miles from the North African city of Cyrene in Lybia to Jerusalem.The journey was long and arduous. But the time, effort and expense would be worth it. No doubt this dark-skinned man, a Hellenistic Jew, named Simon, was eagerly anticipating the feast days. The Passover. The fellowship. The communion with other worshipers. An opportunity to honor the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

We don’t know if it was his first trip. Or his last. Or maybe he settled there. But we can know this. He never forgot it. And neither did his sons, Rufus and Alexander. Continue reading →