Author Archives: theagonyofvictory

Jesus compared his own to sheep. In John 10 He taught that His sheep know His voice and do not follow another. In Luke 15, He spoke of searching for the lost sheep and bringing it home. Sheep are sheep. … Continue reading →

The world is full of fear. My email inbox fills with reasons to fear. One email bears a cute picture of four mutts and the racist message that the dogs are being signed up for government assistance since they are … Continue reading →

    A young friend posts on Facebook: Christ died for me so that I could dance with Him. Everyone likes that, except the Spirit within me.     It balks at the subtlety of experienced-based religion and explains why I hesitate to plunge … Continue reading →

The lush green of a Pennsylvania summer grabs at the breath with unparalleled beauty amid the return of perennial bloom. Crops wave in the country and fervent warmth dissolves the last memory of winter’s chill, fostering the myth it just … Continue reading →

I spent Father’s Day digging in hard packed soil. Stabbing the ground with a garden trowel, I chopped clods into bits, loosening soil around plants still spindly after a month in the ground. I blamed the seeds, the seedlings, the … Continue reading →

I spilled coffee on the little rug in my sanctuary. A splotch of brown on ivory, right at my feet. The room is tiny and cramped, meant for prayer and Bible reading. Every day, I wrinkled my nose at the … Continue reading →

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel … Continue reading →

      My father ached to be in business.     Instead, for years, he worked for another. Until the desire, the irritation, and all the worries festered and propelled him into business for himself. Now, he was A.J. Metzler Electric, a tradesman, … Continue reading →

    I used worship music to alter my state of being.     And it was used to control me.     If the pastor wanted us to love others more, he played (for the 33rd time) Brandon Heath’s “Give Me Your Eyes.” Can you … Continue reading →

I was thinking how irritating Christians can be in their nitpicking, when I realized that I was guilty. My thoughts were on the failed prophecy of Harold Camping and Family Radio that judgment day would begin May 21 with a … Continue reading →