The concept of a bitter root is so descriptive. I grow pretty bitter myself towards a couple of types of roots in my garden because I didn’t plant them and they are strangling the plants that I intentionally planted that are beautiful and provide stunning blossoms. But my weeds and invasive plants didn’t get the [...]

Do you ever notice how people like to debate and at times argue over things they are passionate and confident about? I always find it captivating and sometime amusing when people try to debate God as shared in the Scriptures.In the book of Job, while Job is debating with his friends the Lord is the [...]

So much of what we choose to do or not do is linked to our feelings. In our culture one of the things that we really link to our emotions is music. We play music to cheer us up or to calm us down or create a romantic environment with the one we love. [...]

We often look to those with the most wealth, power and influence as the richest people. But how rich can they be if it doesn’t bring contentment, peace or even enjoyment? I love Paul’s word regarding his own life in Philippians, “Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to [...]

I was watching "Super Nanny" a couple of weeks ago, and was moved by the story of this mom that seemed incapable of disciplining her children because she felt like she was being a bad mom if she said no to them or enforced rules. As a result, her children were completely out of [...]

I have been working on some my sessions for Women’s Retreat with the theme, “Sustained by God.” I have been looking at the topic from many angles. One such angle I have been considering is how we become “unsustained.” (And yes, I did just make up that word) There are a number of things we [...]

At camp one of the top requirements we post on our job requirements, is that candidates must have a vibrant walk with God to work in ministry here. It is essential…non-negotiable. The Lord feels the same way…we can’t do ministry without being in a vital and vibrant relationship with him. Jesus himself said, “Remain in [...]

The other day at our manager’s meeting, I threw out the question, “What skills have you learned at Mt. Gilead that you have found invaluable?” One of the replies made me laugh, but I immediately understood what Program Manager Grace Seder meant when she replied, “Scrappy”. The definition is “to have a determined spirit; [...]

Do you ever remember playing tag? You avoided receiving the words, “Tag! You’re it” because it would mean that you had to do a lot of running around chasing after other players. If you have been chosen to lead a retreat, you may feel like you are “it” running around, but not quite sure [...]