This article is is in response to a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC). But in keeping with my usual practice of not blogging or publicly commenting on politics, this isn’t about politics; it’s about faith and forgiveness. Michael Morin delivered a compelling speech on the second night of [...]
Several years ago, I was privileged to meet Michael Belk, renowned photographer and founder of Journeys with the Messiah. His unique photographs depicting Jesus in first-century settings, accompanied by twenty-first-century props and characters, captivated my interest. He told me about his journey that began as a high-fashion photographer, traveling the world [...]
It's freezing outside It's quiet and warm by the fire Jesus speaks, I listen
This week, our church began a 21-day fast. For the past few days, I have been pondering writing a blog about the importance of praying for our children and grandchildren. Then, I received a popup on Facebook that Jasmine had written eight years ago when our first granddaughter, Leila, was only [...]
Put yourself in Joseph's sandals. Betrothed to a young virgin, only to find out that she is pregnant, he places her on a donkey and leads her on a week-long 80-mile trip through mountainous terrain from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The sky was a deep blue, illuminated by a massive canopy of [...]
Pictured is my granddaughter, Emily, at one year old, waiting for her appointment with her chiropractor. Chiropractor? Yes, she has been going to a chiropractor since she was an infant. Reading her expression, I’m unsure of what is happening inside her. It could be fear, anxiety, or concern for her mom, [...]
Pictured is my granddaughter, Emily, at one year old, waiting for her appointment with her chiropractor. Chiropractor? Yes, she has been going to a chiropractor since she was an infant. Reading her expression, I’m unsure of what is happening inside her. It could be fear, anxiety, or concern for her mom, [...]
Jasmine had a refined artistic touch that flowed from her Japanese cultural heritage. Her fingerprints were visible throughout our home—her portrait, her framed 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of a geisha woman, and her painting of a Japanese garden adorned our walls. Dry flower arrangements stood prominently in tall vases accented by many [...]
When a widower finds a new love interest and the opportunity for her to visit the home arises, the question of what to do about pictures of his late wife and other reflections of her in the home occurs, too. Jasmine had a refined artistic touch that flowed from her Japanese [...]
Whether or not you are a man of faith, you are probably familiar with the most well-known verse in the Bible. "John 3:16" signs appear in the end zones of NFL football games. One could argue that the second most well-known verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, [...]
Why am I feeling so emotional? I am watching a video of Iam Tongi's duet with James Blunt from American Idol, singing Blunt's song "Monsters." Watching it live brought me to tears along with everyone else . . . and it is bringing me to tears again. Three months ago, I [...]
When the doctor said, "She will never regain consciousness," it felt like a punch in the gut! I never expected to hear those words. That meant life would never be the same. That also meant I would never be the same. I dreaded thinking about how life would change, but I was unaware [...]
Jasmine was first admitted to the hospital at the height of the COVID pandemic and placed in isolation, which meant no visitors allowed. I had been recovering at home from my bout with COVID. Four days later, I drove an hour to the hospital to be re-examined (I had COVID pneumonia). After my [...]
The first line in the song "Scars in Heaven" by Casting Crowns cuts me to the core. It is, "If I had only known the last time would be the last time." Despite being in ICU for three weeks, I fully expected Jasmine to recover. I envisioned when we would once [...]
Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NLT Good memories produce feelings of warmth and happiness, but those memories become painful when grieving the loss of a loved one. We long for the relationship to be restored, but it can never [...]
In my previous post, I discussed three ways to raise your hand to God when going through painful circumstances, such as losing your wife: Raise an accusative finger, blaming Him for what we perceive as unnecessary pain or unfulfilled promises. Raise an angry fist in His face because we feel He [...]
Jasmine was in the ICU for three weeks when I was told she would never regain consciousness. This was a total shock, and I needed time to process it. I was not ready to “let her go.” Standing beside her the next night, I witnessed her oxygen absorption drop from 92% [...]
One morning, as I was getting ready to visit Jasmine, one of her doctors called and said, “Mr. Isara, the results of the MRI revealed that Jasmine has had several strokes resulting in damage to both sides of her brain.” After a brief discussion to clarify what that meant, the doctor [...]
In an intimate relationship, and there is none more intimate than marriage, whatever is hidden will come to the surface. Jasmine and I had a solid relationship built upon the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ. But we are all uniquely different from one another, and if we are [...]
Driving the Road to Hana on the northeast coastline of Maui, Hawaii, can be treacherous. There are 617 hairpin turns and fifty-nine one-lane bridges. Carefully navigating this narrow winding road for sixty-four miles creates constant tension for the driver. It is hard to enjoy the tropical scenery while being transfixed on [...]
Many who have lost their spouses are familiar with Nora McInerny’s Ted Talk on moving forward vs. moving on. Her theme is that we do not move on from grief but move forward with it. (If you have not seen it, it is a must. It can be found on YouTube). This [...]
Why am I feeling so emotional? I am watching a video of Iam Tongi's duet with James Blunt from American Idol, singing Blunt's song "Monsters." Watching it live brought me to tears along with everyone else . . . and it is bringing me to tears again. Three months ago, I [...]
Mass shootings have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It felt personal when it reached the Allen Premium Outlet Mall in Texas last Saturday afternoon. We have shopped there and have friends who live nearby. We mourn the eight innocent victims and pray for their family members, some of whom [...]
The most well-known verse in the Bible is John 3:16. Every believer knows it, and everyone watching an NFL football game at least knows about it as "John 3:16" signs appear in the end zones. One could argue that the second most well-known verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all [...]
(Many years ago, I wrote a monthly devotional, "Consider." Perusing the files on my computer, I stumbled upon this post from May 12, 2004. Although dated, the message is timeless.) When the little boy’s dog died, he asked his mother, “Do dogs go to heaven?” His mother replied, “Yes, all dogs go to [...]
Three months ago, my mom said half-jokingly, “You better finish that book before I die!” Monday was a holiday, and mail is not delivered on holidays. So I was surprised to find a padded envelope on the walkway leading to my front porch. I was puzzled; I didn’t recognize the sender. [...]
If you have been around young children over the past year or two, then you are very familiar with the tune “Baby Shark.” It does not matter if you love it or hate it. Whenever you hear it, your head immediately starts bobbing, your body moves with the rhythm, and you [...]
Which boxes define you? This is just a partial list of categories that divide us. If we think long and hard enough, we can fill up the rest of this page. But this is enough to make my point. Our world is fractured, and we can clearly choose where we stand [...]
We live in a politically-driven, divided culture faced with conflict on every side, and it is becoming increasingly fractured. Allegations of racism, the sanctity of life vs. abortion rights, Judeo-Christian ethics vs. “woke” ideology, the list goes on and on. You get the picture. We cannot help but be concerned about [...]
Photo Credit: Michael Belk 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." John 4:6-7, ESV Photo [...]