Category: Ponder

Story by Kristine Barnes April 2002 – Come with me to John’s Island, just south of lovely historic Charleston, SC. My brother Rick, an alcoholic, and a skilled carpenter was turning 40. Our Mom was here in NC visiting from Missouri, so we drove down for the weekend to give him a nice birthday celebration.… Read more

Sorry folks. I know there are people out there who have God-stories to tell. I’ll still be posting Rerun Tuesdays. Thanks to all who shared their stories and for being loyal readers since April 2022. Read more

Story by Kristine Barnes In 1960 there was a movie, based on a best-selling 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter, about a young girl who had a habit of finding the good in every situation. She was a “glass-half-full” kind of girl. Or was that half-empty? That analogy has never made sense to me. Whether… Read more

Story by Laurie Grathen In my post two weeks ago, I recommended you read Dr. Gladys McGarey’s book, The Well-Lived Life. I’m doing my second read through this week, picking up all kinds of things this time that I missed on the first go-round. After Hurricane Ian I put up this sign in our yard.… Read more

Story by Randy Grathen “Mom!” “School is starting, I need some new clothes.” “Mom, I need to get one of those new foldable cell phones. All my friends have one. “Mom, I’m turning 16 next month, can I get a raise in my allowance. I can’t afford to go to Starbucks with my friends anymore.”… Read more

Story by Randy Grathen My wife Laurie wrote a blog post recently about her and a friend musing over all the things they could do if they won the lottery. You can read her story here. One recent Mega-something lottery hit One BILLION dollars!!! Sorry, but NO ONE needs that kind of money. I was… Read more

Well folks, I’ve run out of stories/testimonials about God’s goodness and miraculous interventions in my life. I’ve shared my thoughts about my relationship with God and how I believe He guides us, loves us, disciplines us, applies His amazing grace and forgiveness towards us in our daily lives. How He will never leave us nor… Read more

Story by Michele Rose Have you ever wanted to do something so badly but felt it was difficult to know where to start? If you’re nodding your head right now, then keep reading. About 10 years ago I took time off to write my memoir. But before I finished, my first born died—unexpectedly. So, I… Read more

By Carol Mithers Is a common spiritual bond critical to marital health and happiness? When Liz Hammer began dating her husband, Brian, at 21, in so me ways it was an improbable pairing. Liz was bubbly and outgoing, Brian quiet and reserved. At a party she was apt to work the room while he sat… Read more