Romans Eight Twenty Eight
Last night was my Bible Study group and we were studying this great chapter 8 of the book of Romans. One of my friends asked me the question about how I interpret the verse that God works all things together for good in light of the death of Jim. I gave a brief off-the-cuff answer…
Hank Plow
Jim has several cousins on both sides of his family, but some on his mom’s side were also friends! Richard Howard lived in Scottsdale, walking distance to us when we lived there. He grew up in Arizona, so his parents and brother were also nearby. When we moved to the state, he was very excited. …
Earl Degrafft
One of the amazing and greatest blessings of living across the street from Downey First Baptist was the family that moved into the house in front of ours. Earl and Connie Degrafft, who went to church with us, who were almost empty nesters (Susan was in high school, but the older 4 were grown), who…
DFB is 150
Downey First Baptist is 150 years old. Today was a celebration. Dennie led the challenge from Philippians 3 to forget what lies behind and press on to the goal to win the prize. There were many friends, former staff members and memories to share. It was fun to stop and remember the importance and the…
The Last Minute! (59 and counting…)
Tomorrow (in one minute from when this will post) I turn 59! The last year in my 50’s. I figured turning the same age as the year you were born was some kind of thing and so I looked it up! It is called a Platinum year or a Bedian year (named after some NY…
Emily at 26
26 years old is an age that seems different than 25. I am not sure why. You have been married for 3 1/2 years and you are making your way in the world. I guess for me, when I turned 26, even though I had been an adult for 7 years, 25 feels young, but…
38th Anniversary
Thank You God for Immeasurable Happy memories and Ripples from Thirty Years of ministry & marriage. Everyday Imagining and Gratefully Hoping for Heaven I am Tuned to Sing your Praise Aug. 23, 1980 I married Jim Mohler at Downey First Baptist Church at 4 in the afternoon. I can remember many details clearly! It was…
Lacey’s Benediction
Dear Lacey. So every year I have someone to say goodbye to here on staff. I hate that! But it is what it is and I have learned how to say “goodbye “while looking forward to the day when there are no more goodbyes! I remember when I first met you. I actually heard you…
The Fairy Tale called Marriage
This is part of the devotional I shared at Lacey’s Bridal shower on Aug. 19 There seem to be 2 kinds of people in the world – people who love fairy tales and who love happy endings and people who can’t stand them! The people in the latter group feel that fairy tales are fake…
Ready or Not!
My dad has always been interested in prophecy and the study of last things, which means I grew up in a state of urgency. My dad is convinced that God is painting a picture through the heavens with a blood red moon over Jerusalem on July 27th, aka the 15th of Av, the day that…