Rays of dawning sunlight burst through the small aircraft window, awakening me from a deep sleep. As my groggy eyes adjusted, I gazed out and caught the first glimpses of land far below. Finally, we were over Scotland, gradually beginning descent toward the Glasgow airport. As views of land crystallized, rolling green pastures appeared, covered with randomly spaced small white dots. What were these? As we steadily moved closer, it became clear—sheep! While visiting Scotland, I delighted in seeing so many sheep. In the countryside, they seemed to be everywhere. And it was during this trip Psalm Twenty-Three, beginning with…
What’s Your Center?
Deep within the heart of every man and woman is a longing to know the Creator. Each heart and soul yearns for meaning, purpose, and peace. C.S. Lewis called it a “God-shaped hole.” We try to fill it with many things, yet always come up short. Only our loving Creator can fill the void. What’s at the center of your life? Is it something temporal—or eternal? Please enjoy this short film: Produced, directed, and edited by Matthew Elton. Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton
How Jesus Handled Stress
We’ve seen the pictures . . . Jesus, the Good Shepherd, serenely walking along a lush green meadow carrying a young lamb, sheep leisurely following behind. Jesus, walking through crowds, people thronging to be near Him. Jesus . . . always calm, caring, in control. But did He ever get upset? Angry? Sad? Stressed? Yes! Gospel records show us Jesus got angry at injustice. He wept and grieved when His friend Lazarus died. He had to contend with the Pharisees, constantly berating Him for healing people on Sabbath, the “wrong” day of the week. The Son of God was a…
Shabbat Shalom: Finding Rest
There’s no place like home. Home is where you hang your heart. Home is where our story begins. After spending a day in a bustling city, or being gone on a trip, I look forward to returning to the quiet of my home—the surroundings most reflective of who I am, and what I enjoy. Home is an oasis, a place where I step out of the world after a busy day, and am reminded of all I have to be thankful for. Jesus tells us in the world there will be trouble, but He has overcome the world to bring…
When Things Don’t Go As Planned
“We have a flat tire,” my husband R. said, as he carefully guided the family van onto the shoulder of the highway. We had just gotten onto the NY State Thruway when I heard an unmistakable POP, and seconds later a grating noise and THUD THUD THUD. It was Christmas morning and we were about sixty minutes in on our 2½ hour trip to my sister’s house. Awaiting us—if we got there—would be a delicious prime rib dinner and surely a delightful visit. As we all got out and surveyed the damage, thoughts quickly turned to the “what should we…
