I told them the story and watched confusion cross their faces. One thing I love about teaching middle schoolers entails telling them stories about how things were when I was their age. When I was
Read moreThe Need of Sabbath
Tag: Martin Wiles
When Christmas Mixes with Sorrow
“Can you think of anything we can sell?” I asked my wife. “The only thing I can think of,” she responded, is my…” Christmas 2013 was shaping up to be the leanest Christmas season my
Read moreGratefulness Through the Seasons
Only two remained. As I sat on my old antique porch glider, I watched as two hummingbirds fought over the lone feeder, hanging just outside my den window. Just a few days before, I had
Read moreLeading for the Common Good
Leaders lead for the common good, but what exactly is that? Not long after I moved to a small town, an election year approached. One of the town councilmen chose not to run for re-election,
Read moreFall Back, Not Under
Germany and its World War I Allies began the practice on April 30, 1916, to conserve energy and daylight. America soon followed suit. When I was a child, I relished the extra daylight hours Daylight
Read moreWaiting…Not Patiently
I placed the order…and then waited. What else could I do? What I did do was mark my calendar four weeks into the future. I wouldn’t get impatient until then. Since deliveries of most things
Read moreGrace Giver
Elizabeth Keckley was a slave in Missouri before the Civil War. Keckley’s greatest desire was purchasing freedom for herself and her son. Her owner told her that if she could raise $1,200, she could have
Read moreTaking a Walk
I had reached the age of twelve, and Dad kept his promise. Dad loved to hunt and eat squirrel—and wanted me to also. I heard the hinges squeak on my bedroom door. Dad peeked his
Read moreGetting Clean
COVID ran rampant, and I was scared to get clean. Only once before had I gone more than three days without a shower—when my daughter and I had backpacked for five days and had no
Read moreBudgeting for God
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them.” Luke 21:3 NLT They eagerly awaited my instructions. Among the projects my middle-school computer class must complete each
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