(An omer is one tenth of an ephah.) Exodus 16:36 NIV

Laugh! Laugh! Laugh! I wanted to give you a laugh on Monday morning!

Say what are you laughing about Ron? Well, bear with me, but throughout the 16th chapter of Exodus, Moses recounts the story of the Israelites gathering manna and quail. Each person gathered the manna by a measure called an

HE ONLY is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. Psalm 62:2 KJV

If you are trying to be a rock on your own: WATCH OUT! The forecast is calling for rough winds....throughout the next century...or at least until Jesus returns!

I use several versions of the Bible, but for this verse I particularly like the King

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:11 NIV

I wondered what the formula was? Jesus asked the disciples how many loaves they had. He calculated the number of people, had everyone sit down, and then carefully, mathematically, meticulously

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:3 NIV

I can almost hear the naysayers: "Why would anyone want to be poor in spirit?" "I want my spirit to be rich." "What a loser!"

Let me try to be gentle with those who interpret this verse that way: ..W..R..O..N..G..

Jesus is telling us that to give up self, to give

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NIV

We are a society that has lost compassion! "Wow, Ron, way to hit us in the face right from the start!"

Ask anyone who has ever served in a retail or other customer service position and they will tell you that today's consumer can be quite difficult. (I am choosing my words

Blessed are the meek...for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV

We have a hard time with that verse, don't we? Meekness 101 is not a popular course in our universities, or even in our churches. We would much rather talk about the "most popular ways to get ahead", than how to discover riches through meekness.

This writer won't pretend to be

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

I stopped by the convenience store on the way home tonight to fill up with gas. I just couldn't resist the cookies and cream candy bar (have you tried it yet? It is really good!). I know I don't need it, but it looked so good, I just couldn't

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7 NIV

"I got him! He's not getting out of this head-lock!" "Mercy. Mercy! Mercy, I said!" "Okay, but Ill get you again!"

With a six and nine year old boy in our house we hear the word "mercy" quite frequently. (I'm sure though that your children don't fight.) It usually means one

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NIV

The snow has been beautiful this year. Oh, I know, here in Tennessee we don't really know what pretty snow looks like, but what we have had has been exceptionally pleasing to the eye. A few times it seemed like everything out our window was white. Pure, untouched, crisp, clean,

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 NIV

"Has anyone ever told you that you look just like your Daddy?"

My six year old son hears that quite frequently. Apart from feeling sorry for him, I must admit it sure makes a Daddy proud! He's a great kid, and I am happy anytime to call him my son.

God wants to call

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 NIV

I am currently reading a book about the life of Corrie Tin Boon. Let me tell you that I have never experienced persecution. This saint's life, attempting to protect the Jews during the Holocaust, was the perfect example of a

the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace. Numbers 6:26 NIV

"Okay, boys! That's enough!"

Our six and nine year old boys are just that...BOYS! And, they are all boy, too!

Sometimes, when they are full of energy (which is pretty much all the time), they can wear you out with their constant motion. Wrestling, basketball, baseball,

"Then neither do I condemn you." Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." John 8:11 NIV

A friend called me today. She is feeling less than good about herself these days. Her church is telling her she is not good enough. Because of some sins of her family, the church has taken the approach of disciplining her as well. My heart was heavy

Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed. Mark 6:51 NIV

^ He: Jesus ^ Them: Disciples ^ Place: Sea of Galilee ^ Time: Evening ^ Weather: Rather windy......until ^ Purpose: Another teaching moment

Jesus had once again amazed the disciples! The storm had grown violent. Jesus, who had made the

If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. Job 36:11 NIV

NEVER GIVE UP YOU WARRIOR OF GOD! NEVER GIVE UP!

God is looking to reward some people for their service to Him. God created us in His image to do His will, to love and to serve Him all the days of our lives. God wants His

Summon your power, O God, show us your strength, O God, as you have done before. Psalm 68:28 NIV

I've seen it. Have you?

I have first hand witnessed the power of God in my life. I have earnestly prayed, sought after His will, and seen the hand of God come into my situation. I have experienced His tender mercy, His powerful grace, His never-ending

Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. Exodus 36:6-7 NIV

We are in a building program at church. It is really a

I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 3 John 14 NIV

If you don't have anything to do for the next three minutes......how about dreaming out loud with me for a moment......

Who do you long to see in Heaven? Have you ever thought about that? I have been so blessed with friends on Earth, but I really wish I had more time to just sit

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, Samuel was among those who called on His name; they called on the Lord and He answered them. Psalm 99:6 NIV

It worked for them. It will work for you.

There was nothing spectacular about these men. Oh, they were Godly men, but they weren't perfect. They had many flaws and had messed up a time or two. So what

I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. Leviticus 26:6 NIV

I went to a meeting today. It was one of those high stress meetings. You might call it a power meeting. Everyone was on edge, ready to leave, yet so much had to be accomplished. There was big money at stake. Jobs, future contacts, and profits