Category Archives: Uncategorized

Both Old and Homesick

Posted on June 15, 2016 by rstaples2013

I never knew old people would feel waves of homesickness. I thought that was an experience of children. But today I passionately miss both my Mom and my Dad. Maybe it is because today is their wedding anniversary. I nurtured … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged aging, childhood, family, homesick, memories, old stores, Remembering, treasures to remember | Leave a comment

From King Size Bed to Twin

Posted on June 10, 2016 by rstaples2013

It was with intrigue that I first heard the phrase: “Aging is a diminishing experience”. I remember the time and place as a medical/ethical conference at Trinity Seminary in 2001. The guest speaker. who introduced this thought. was Vernon Grounds. … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged aging, couple, grace, loss, reality, wisodm | 1 Comment

The Fragrance of Thank You!

Posted on June 10, 2016 by rstaples2013

My friend called me this morning from her vacation spot one state away.We started out talking fervently about nothing, as friends do. But then she told me about her flight. This friend was seated next to a woman who was … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged choice, commucication, gratitude, learning, listening, meditation, power, prayer, presence, surprise, wisdom | 1 Comment

You are Thankful for What?

Posted on April 1, 2016 by rstaples2013

I listened carefully as my friend described to me the findings of her recent medical workup. The past couple of years have been a battle with cancer. The cancer is gone but side effects from chemo and an unexplained anemia … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, Uncategorized | Tagged aging, faith, friendship, God's mercy, gratitude, illness, memories, perspective, surrender | Leave a comment

I’m Home

Posted on March 15, 2016 by rstaples2013

After driving for 30 hours over a span of 7 days my critically ill friend visually soaked in the desert of southern Nevada and simply said, “I’m home.” This friend, who I genuinely embrace as my BFF, has suffered unrelentingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories, Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged beauty, desert, faith, friendship, healing, home, hope, Jesus, journey, pain, rocks | Leave a comment

Is Job an Exceptional Story?

Posted on February 19, 2016 by rstaples2013

This is not meant to be a teaching but rather an acknowledgement of honest questions. The book of Job, in the Bible, invites us to imagine other conversations between God and Satan. We can draw lessons for how to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged faith, faithful, global church, goal, God, Jesus, story, suffering, testing, Victory | Leave a comment

I Thought She was Wrong

Posted on February 16, 2016 by rstaples2013

The memories that stick with me from childhood are interesting. As a child, I noticed that when my mother read a book she always read the last few pages before she started the book. I somehow took it upon myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged childhood, confidence, faith, life, memoires, perspective, reading, stories | Leave a comment

Throwing a Red Flag

Posted on January 29, 2016 by rstaples2013

The line between excitement and anxiety is thin when watching a -football game. All of that changes if we are watching a recording of this same game now knowing the final score. Let’s consider this scene: Our team is behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged analogy, blood of Jesus, celebrate, faith, final, football, grace, hope, redemption, sports, Victory, win | Leave a comment

Comfort Through the Eyes of a Child

Posted on January 26, 2016 by rstaples2013

Jesus is clear in His teaching that we are to come to Him as a child. It is helpful to nurture relationships with children so that we can gain insight into what it is about a child that Jesus desires … Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged children, eye contact, gift, God, learning, listening, prayer, relationship, safety, trust, watching | Leave a comment

I’m so Glad it’s You

Posted on January 2, 2016 by rstaples2013

Years ago I had a good friend who was dying of leukemia. She lived nearby so I would often walk to her house, ring the doorbell, but let myself in. Her response, in the later months, would often be, “I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Thoughts and Reflections, Uncategorized | Tagged friend, goal, God, guest, heart, home, intimacy, Jesus, presence, visitor, welcome | Leave a comment