It’s Not All About You

If you’re a parent, chances are you child has or had one or two particular movies or videos they loved watching over and over and over again. Sometimes (if you’re lucky), they grow out wanting to watch that particular video and move on to something else. But sometimes not…as is my case with my daughters who are 21 and 18. They love the “Princess Diaries” movies and NEVER grow tired ...

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Called to Love

Weren't you just heartbroken over the events last week in Charlottesville? I turned on the TV to see the kind of hate that took my breath away.  It made me scratch your head and wonder, "where does that come from?"  Many mothers and fathers were shocked to see their own children behaving like that, declaring, "we didn't raise our child to be that way!" I believe hate often comes from fear.  When ...

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Life’s Storms

There is a scripture in the book of Nahum that is both scary and comforting at the same time. Chapter one, verse eight says, “His way is in the fierce winds and storms….” Winds and storms have a different meaning to me today than they did when I was a child. I loved being in the middle of a summer storm when I was young! Getting soaked and being shaken by gargantuan ...

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Don’t Overthink

  With the kids getting settled back in school what are you hoping they learn this year? Hi, this is Parks Stamper, middays on the Fish.  Maybe its Algebra 1.  Ugh. I found that a bit challenging… It was so frustrating for me – a good student in everything else but math.  I went to a place of incorrect overthinking…”well, I’m just not good at math my brain is not wired for ...

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Embracing Freedom

Are you embracing your freedom? I'm not talking about celebrating the freedom of living in the USA. We're pretty good at that. It's especially easy this time of year with all the flags, parades, fireworks and patriotic music. I'm referring to the freedom we have in Christ.  I'm embarrassed to admit, but I'm not always the best at it.  Do you ever do this?  You sin, confess, but feel so badly about ...

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Rest & Renew

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Ps. 46:10 How’s that for a summer verse? Life moves us through the school year at a fast pace. Even if we don’t have children in school, our communities revolve around it. Now that summer break is here there’s an excitement we can’t deny. It’s a chance at a new schedule, a new season with different weather, activities, food, work. It could be ...

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The Disappearing Dad

When we think of what the word 'Dad' means, a lot of words come to mind: reliable, kind, compassionate, steady, bread-winner, integrity, faithful, protector...just to name a few. But it seems like these traits, many of which guys like me strive to have every day, are not celebrated in today's world. I just read an article in our local newspaper where they interviewed 6 area 'celebrities' and asked about their Dad's. ...

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There’s Power in the name of Jesus

There’s Power in the name of Jesus…we play and sing so many songs about this fact.  We trust in Jesus to save our souls…then why is it so hard to trust Him when we face hardships and just life in general? Hi it’s Parks Stamper.  I think Louie Giglio in his new book, Goliath Must Fall, nails it.  He says, “Most of us follow a pattern where, when we feel vulnerable ...

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Bound… to Be Free

Call me weird, but sometimes I really love oxymorons.  Yes, the joining together of 2 seemingly opposite words or ideas. You know, like jumbo shrimp, virtual reality, same difference, and government intelligence. I don’t know why I love them – maybe I’m a contrarian at heart, but I just love getting a good chuckle out of some of them!  Something I saw in a Facebook post the other day struck ...

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