Christianity

The Shower of Repentance

I shower daily. Most days twice. And although I may have occasionally missed a day now and then, I’ve balanced it out by some days even showering thrice. Though it’s never been mentioned, people around me probably appreciate my effort, since without daily showers the accumulated sweat and grime tends to make me more than […]

The Shower of Repentance Read More »

Christmas Wish 2017

As a small child, Christmas held a special magic I’ve often wished I could experience once again. Mesmerized by the tinseled tree whose outstretched arms protected rewards for a good little boy’s year-long behavior, I anticipated for two weeks what marvelous treasures lay concealed by colored wrapping paper bound with glittering ribbons and bows. I

Christmas Wish 2017 Read More »

Rallying for Peace

Last night I was given the honor of being asked to speak at the Porterville Peace Rally. These were my comments. Good evening. My name is Rick Groves. Most of you don’t know me, and all of us are far too complex to nail down in a few words. So, by way of personal introduction,

Rallying for Peace Read More »

Bondage or Freedom? You Get to Choose…

Full Speed Ahead While historically I haven’t gotten too excited about politics, I find myself rather obsessed as of late. Try as I might, I just can’t help being drawn back into a very opinionated position. Here’s why. I care about my planet, my country, and even more about the people around me. I don’t

Bondage or Freedom? You Get to Choose… Read More »

Better than Organic

Better than Organic Read More »

One Dish at a Time

I hate washing dishes. Probably because I still associate it with punishment. When I was a kid growing up in Grandma’s house if I did something wrong, that was my penance — get my rebellious little behind into the kitchen, stand in front of the sink, and scrub. Somehow still today I think I must

One Dish at a Time Read More »

Sir Percival

I killed my dog today. You can sugarcoat the words by saying he was put to sleep, euthanized, or that his suffering was ended mercifully, but it doesn’t change that even if not by my hand that by my decision a life given by God to one of His creatures ended away today at 12:10

Sir Percival Read More »

Chapel of the Ages

My Grandpa and Grandma who raised me picked me up after the last day of eighth grade in 1973 to leave on a two-week vacation to Oklahoma and Arkansas to visit relatives I’d never met but heard a lot of stories about. The polar white ’66 Mercury Colony Park station wagon was loaded for an

Chapel of the Ages Read More »

The Waiting Room

At the Stanford Eye Clinic in Palo Alto, CA on August 29, 2011, a sight I will likely never forget passed through my eyes and into my heart. A lovely Asian family – father, mother, and daughter – slowly crossed the waiting room floor, the aged father maneuvering one small, weak step at a time, his quivering

The Waiting Room Read More »

There is a way…

There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way to death. – Proverbs 14:12 ESV I have always interpreted this to mean that when we ignore God’s ways and instead cling to our own that the results are personal and tragic loss, generally in the form of moral

There is a way… Read More »