Ron Oltmanns's Blog

Over 30 years ago, new to America, I was both surprised and moved by the sight of homeless here.

I remember an occasion when I asked my husband if we could share our leftovers with them.

It was Springtime in San Francisco. We were newly married and enjoying our honeymoon.

An old lady was rummaging for food at a public trash bin.

Without fanfare or announcement, he walked over to her and asked gently, “Ma’am, have you eaten?”

I knew then I had married the right guy.

When one of our sons did something similar recently, I felt again gladdened by God’s comforting hand toward us (me).

Righteousness – how much do you think you really have?

A church goer or someone with a Christian affiliation would tell you they have none.

Not sure where your Christian heart bleeds?

Try spending time in a place where there’s a lot of homeless.

Take your pick – every major American city has them.

Encounters with the homeless is a useful exercise in becoming aware of the state of your heart.

How would your pas de deux with the homeless look like?

(Mural in downtown Houston, Title: “Pas de deux”)

Do you talk about them like they are a separate entity?

Or do you try to do a pas de deux with them? One that returns them their self dignity?

I now understand why so many flee from the cities of America.

Our own world is horrific enough. We don’t want to see more.

This past summer and now, Ron and I are spending time in our American cities.

I didn’t intentionally seek to see the homeless in our country.

When it found me, I had to look. Really look.

I was at first frightened, then dismayed.

Angry and then overcome with a deep sadness.

I read about what fellow Americans and local governments do to help.

And I pitched in my share.

But the other day, while walking around Houston, I found myself unmoved to do anything much for two homeless people.

Strive Righteously

So when I witnessed how a friend treated a homeless kindly the other day, I was grateful for her example.

Life is hard to bear at times.

Some places and I’ll be first to report from the frontlines are scary to visit.

But I’ll take another example from another group of Christians I came across.

This time in front of City Hall in downtown Houston. At 8:30 pm in the evening on a weeknight.

Senor! Senor! Senor!

A group of people sings – young and old. They repeated this refrain in their song.

They sang in Spanish but it hit me quickly that they were singing to our Father in heaven.

Any true righteousness, or any striving toward it, I realize starts with a contrite and humble heart.

That is always a good start for anyone endeavoring to live a good and happy life.

The Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise, beautifully captures the power of gratitude and trust in God’s plan.

These verses invite us to reflect on God’s mercy, justice, and faithfulness across generations.

Magnificat

The Song of Mary

Luke 1:46-55

My soul proclaims your greatness, O God;

my spirit rejoices in you, my Savior;

for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed;

you, the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is your Name.

You have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation.

You, O God, have shown strength with your arm,

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones,

and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things,

and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Israel,

for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears, to Abraham, Sarah and their children for ever.

~ St. Helena Breviary

Thank you for welcoming me into your bosom, Lord The Conversion On the Way to Damascus by Caravaggio

In a tight corner in the Cerasi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome, Carravaggio’s second painting of “The Conversion of St Paul” hangs.

Acts 9:1-31, the story of Saul’s dramatic encounter with Christ, was pivotal in my own journey of faith. It resonated deeply with me before I chose to be baptized 36 years ago.

Acts 9:3-9 reads like this:

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. 
He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 
9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

(NIV translation)

The Grandeur of His Power and Majesty

The passage begins with an atmosphere of intense violence.

Saul’s relentless pursuit of the early Christians is chilling, and his determination to destroy the followers of “the Way” paints a picture of unwavering hostility.

And yet Saul is struck down by a power far greater than his own—a power that not only blinds him but awakens him to a truth that changes everything.

A question is asked.

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

Not just by anyone but the One who rules heaven and earth.

I can still hear the gentle and soothing voice of my substitute teacher who shared this story with me in 4th grade.

How could somebody be so powerful and still so gentle?

He became the heaven and Presence I sought.

The Conversion of Saint Paul by Caravaggio

Caravaggio’s first version of “The Conversion of Saint Paul” captivates me.

In this depiction, Saul is older.

The contrast between the younger and older Saul across Caravaggio’s works invites us to consider that at any age or stage of life, we are never beyond the reach of God’s grace.

Here’s the rest of the story for your convenient reading and meditation:

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. 23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. 26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 
He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit,
it increased in numbers.

Acts 9:10-31

The Magnificat and the story of Saul’s conversion are two profound biblical passages that capture the essence of divine power, mercy, and the transformative nature of grace.

The Magnificat: A Song of Praise and Reversal

Mary’s Magnificat, as recorded in Luke 1:46-55, is a hymn of gratitude and wonder.

It is a powerful acknowledgment of God’s work in her life and the broader implications of His mercy and justice.

Themes of humility, reversal of fortunes, and the fulfillment of promises resonate throughout this prayer.

Mary’s exclamation that “all generations will call me blessed” is rooted not in personal pride but in the recognition of God’s action through her.

This hymn also highlights God’s strength to upend societal norms: lifting the lowly, scattering the proud, and filling the hungry.

Saul’s Conversion: A Transformative Encounter

Saul’s journey to Damascus, as told in Acts 9:1-31, is an extraordinary narrative of transformation.

From a man consumed by violence and zealotry, Saul becomes Paul, a fervent apostle of Christ.

The story is both terrifying and beautiful—a testament to how divine intervention can alter a person’s trajectory entirely.

The image of Saul struck blind, dependent on others for guidance, is a humbling picture of surrender.

His question, “Who are you, Lord?” and the response, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” shifts Saul’s understanding of everything he believed.

Reflection on Transformation and Calling

Both passages invite us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys.

Mary’s Magnificat reminds us of the power of gratitude and the importance of aligning our lives with God’s justice.

Saul’s conversion demonstrates that no one is beyond redemption and that God can call anyone—regardless of their past—to serve a higher purpose.

These stories also invite us to contemplate:

Humility: Are we willing to acknowledge our dependence on God, as both Mary and Saul did?Courage: Do we have the faith to embrace the radical changes God may call us to make in our lives?Trust in God’s Plan: How can we, like Mary and Saul, trust in God’s timing and purpose even when it challenges our expectations?

Both Mary’s song and Saul’s story highlight the paradox of divine power: it is gentle enough to comfort the lowly yet strong enough to shatter the prideful.

Together, they offer a vision of God’s transformative work in individual lives and the world at large.

It’s hard to believe it, isn’t it?

But it’s true – we really are made for more.

More than what the world tells us.

More than what the world would have us believe.

In those moments when it feels like life is overwhelming, Psalm 56:8 reminds us:
“You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

Each tear, each challenge, each moment of doubt is seen and held.

Even in times of struggle, we are being shaped for something more — something deeper, something meaningful.

It’s easy to forget in the busyness of life, but we are made for greater purpose.

Not by the world’s standards, but by a divine design.

One that calls us toward something more authentic, more fulfilling, and more aligned with who we are meant to be.

Lyrics:

I know who I am ‘cause I know who You are

The cross of salvation was only the start

Now I am chosen, free and forgiven

I have a future and it’s worth the living

‘Cause I wasn’t made to be tending a grave

I was called by name

Born and raised back to life again

I was made for more

So why would I make a bed in my shame

When a fountain of grace is running my way

I know I am Yours

And I was made for more

(repeat)

Oh hallelujah

You called out my name

So I’ll sing out Your praise

Hallelujah

You buried my past

And I’m not going back

Hallelujah

You called out my name

I’ll sing out Your praise

Hallelujah

You buried my past

I’m not going back

‘Cause I wasn’t made to be tending a grave

I was called by name

Born and raised back to life again

I was made for more

So why would I make a bed in my shame

When a fountain of grace is running my way

I know I am Yours

I was made for more

I know I am Yours

I was made for more

Written by Josh Baldwin, Jessie Early, Jonathan Smith, and Blake Wiggins

CCLI #: 7207758

I’ve been reading and praying through the gospel of Luke the past few days and in Luke 11 I came across the following.

“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus: “Father, holy be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:1-4)

It’s not just these words for prayer that Jesus gives us.

He also encourages us to press our desires to God: Ask. Seek. Knock. Be persistent and shameless in asking for what you really want. And know that God wants most of all to give us more of himself in the form of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13).

The prayer that God is most eager to answer is the cry to experience more of him, the desire to be filled with his Holy Spirit.

Asking God for more “stuff” and things is not off-limits, but neither is it what God wants us to focus on. There are spiritual realities he wants us to see, spiritual forces we have to reckon with, spiritual truths that surpass what our flesh desires.

God wants to cleanse us of hyprocrisy and greed. God wants us to trust him and know in our hearts that he can give gifts better than any father on earth who wants to “spoil” his children.

The cry “Lord, teach us to pray” is not only–or primarily–focused on technique. Prayer is not about getting the words right; it’s about getting the heart right. It’s learning to embrace God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

I encourage you to read and then pray through Luke 11 and 12 and let the Lord teach you to pray.

The Joy of Challenge 

One of my sons on occasion reads the Bible in Chinese.  When I ask him why, he tells me it slows him down and helps him ponder over God’s Word.

Ron, the initiator behind word-of-prayer, also reads the Bible at times in Hebrew and in Greek.

I on the other hand, go as far as reading the Bible in various English translations.

Do you try to read the Bible in various languages and translations?

I’m not advocating a strict pathway to access God’s instruction and revelation to us but I do see the value in opening up the Lord’s word through fresh avenues.

Psalm 91 (glory)

And that is how these series of Psalm 91 digital and framed products came about.

Psalm 91 (wings)

A few years ago, while going through a sticky health challenge, someone told me that Psalm 91 is quite commonly known as the “soldier’s psalm”.

Curious, I dug deeper to find out why. 

I then discovered that many soldiers in WWI recited this psalm daily.

Psalm 91 (comfort)

I’ve never been asked to participate in a war.  Neither do I need to flee my home country and seek refuge in another.

I have however desired refuge and God’s peaceful sanctuary has certainly been something I have received unmerited. 

Perhaps it is within those reasons that I spent a number of hours both laboriously and happily on these designs and making them available online for purchase. 

Psalm 91 (KJV – King James Version)

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,

and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night;

nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand;

but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder:

the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him:

I will set him on high,

because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

The King James version is old, over 400 years old.  Its archaic language feels restrictive and its sentence construction requires one to slow down and read it carefully.

Yet as late as 2014, a major study on “The Bible in American Life” found that 55 percent of Bible readers said they reached most often for the King James Version.  (Read source here.)

Psalm 91 (black frame) - click picture to purchase Psalm 91 (oak frame) - click picture to purchase

As for me, even though the execution details were a pain, I enjoyed quite a bit of  heaven working on this entire series. 

The cadence of the words, trying to detect any subterfuge that might come from the hands and minds of men and then surrendering to the truth and gravity of His promises – the entire creation exercise left me with a deep satisfying relish when I was done with it.   

It’s been a while since ..

I looked and paid attention to Psalm 91.  The last time before this creative exercise was when Ron did a bible teaching podcast on it in 2020.   You can listen to his teaching and share on Psalm 91 here.

Listen to bible podcast here This past Sunday at church ..

I heard the reminder and mention of Psalm 91 again.  

Psalm 91 (NIV – New International Version)

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.

It’s another beautiful version, isn’t it?

It’s a version I intend to dwell more upon after I post this blog.

Until the next time,

Blessings to you as you seek God’s face,

Angela 

PS. Find digital prints on our Etsy shop here

and framed products on our website here

I haven’t looked at the book of Psalms in a while.

So on Sunday, I decided to do some quiet reading and take some notes.

I found it to be a peaceful way to calm my anxious spirit.

Psalm 43 jumped out at me and captured my attention.

Here’s the full version:

Vindicate me, my God,
    and plead my cause
    against an unfaithful nation.
Rescue me from those who are
    deceitful and wicked.
2 You are God my stronghold.
    Why have you rejected me?
Why must I go about mourning,
    oppressed by the enemy?
3 Send me your light and your faithful care,
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy mountain,
    to the place where you dwell.
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God.

Psalm 43:3

I am not sure why the current NIV translation changed “your truth” to “your faithful care”.

I thought a long while about what God’s truth means.

It’s unchanging.

It’s full of assurance.

It’s loving.

And it doesn’t harm or hurt anyone.

How about you? How is God’s truth like for you?

I pray that His light and truth lift your spirit and guide you today.

Hugs,

Angela

Recently on Youtube, I heard a song inspired by Psalm 139.

Without much time to dwell into it, I immediately reached for my Bible to read what it is about.

Below is the New International Version (NIV) of it:

Psalm 139For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
    How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
    they would outnumber the grains of sand—
    when I awake, I am still with you.

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
    Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
    your adversaries misuse your name.
21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
    and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
    I count them my enemies.
23 Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

Here’s a couple of things I was struck by.

For one thing, I realize it’s been a while since I last opened my Bible to meditate on God’s Word.

It doesn’t matter if there’s a good preacher from the pulpit to expound on all things biblical and theological.

What matters is hearing what God has to say to me in the middle of all quietness.

It was both fun and refreshing to hear what He has to say to me on this day at this juncture of my life.

Here’s another – I became aware of a few individuals I have not thought about in a while.

You probably won’t know who Wee Ming is. I can’t even tell you if he is dead or alive. After all, it’s been 35 years since our paths crossed.

But I remember his intensity. His face showing an obvious wrestling whenever he ponders and tries to make sense of a deep truth from God. I am glad he took time to share his thoughts and ideas with me.

I am also glad my spirit was open to receive it then.

Which leads me to another insight and point.

Routine, structure and comfort has a very sneaky way of lulling all of us into a deep sleep.

We think we are alive – busy with all our stuff.

When the truth is it’s good to be disrupted and welcome radical interruption at times.

That’s what this month of May has been for me.

On Mother’s Day, I deliberately unplugged myself from all things electronic.

Instead of visiting a spiritual center, I simply handed my phone to Ron to safekeep it.

Oh, how lovely it was to do without it!

And to notice all the automatic ways of how much I rely on my phone to function in our modern world.

Then this past weekend, a severe storm hit Houston and knocked out our electricity.

I heard close to a million of us were without power. (I have yet to fact-check that.)

2 days without power again was delightful.

Irritating at first but how wonderful it was to let go of many non-essentials and do so many essentials in a new way.

I certainly was glad to know a few of my neighbors in a deeper way.

In Psalm 139, I am reminded once more I was carefully planned out (verses 13-16).

Verses 17 and 18 cause me to pause and ask this question:

When was the last time I think His thoughts are more precious than mine?

Truth is I have more personal thoughts I like to dwell on than His these days!

As I relook Psalm 139, I am struck once more by the pure heart of this psalmist.

He is eager for Him. He loves the presence of God in his life.

Do you?

I hope this entry encourages a deepening of your faith walk with Him.

Yours warmly,

Angela

6 simple prayer quotes for your meditation and spiritual journey.  May they be a blessing to you.

“It is not wasted time to wait upon God.”  Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)

“Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God’s gift of himself.” Mother Teresa (1910 – 1997)

“A man prayed, and at first he thought that prayer was talking.  But he became more and more quiet until in time he realized prayer is listening.” Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855)

“Do not be afraid of silence in your prayer time.  It may be that you are meant to listen, not to speak.”  Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

“You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” St. Augustine of Hippo (396-430 AD)

“There are three necessary prayers and

they have three words each.

They are these,

‘Lord, have mercy.

Thee I adore.

Into Thy hands.’

Not difficult to remember.

If in times of distress

you hold to these,

you will do well.”

Elizabeth Goudge

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How to Walk in Our World

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,”This is the way; walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21

A young baby, now a lively toddler, is inspiring this post today.  

Jon is just slightly two years old as I write this.

I plan to give his mom this card when I see her next.   

Good Things Take Time

I made this card almost 25 years ago. 

It never found a recipient and for the longest time, the card was blank. 

No words came.

Then today, just like that, Jon’s name and the bible verse for him came to me.

I have watched his small frame crawl and then in time,  wobble up the stairs.

Today, I share his pride and joy as he tackles going up and down the stairs without any fear.

A Faith Lesson: Come and See

Soon enough I’ll not see baby Jon on a regular basis anymore.

So what word can I give this young child?

Unlike the card which remained the same (blank) the last 25 years, this young child will grow.

My prayer blessing for him?

That when he is lost or in search of direction–like so many of us who call ourselves adults–he would follow the instruction from John 1:36.

Come and see.

The Right Walk Matters 

In a world where stress runs high, confusion is rampant and distractions are plenty, it’s easy to forget that there is a peace that surpasses all understanding. We all can access it anytime and at any moment.    

Take time to document, record, jot down the goodness of God.

Do it in the morning, in the middle of the afternoon or just before you turn in at night.

It’ll do your soul good.  I promise.

 

 

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A few years ago, a customer bought this large 15 oz mug we created.

The message came out of the blue and it said simply these words:

Thanks for making this available to those of us getting and staying sober!

Until her message, I never thought much about how the precious words of Serenity Prayer might impact those struggling with alcoholism.  (The Serenity Prayer is often used by AA -Alcoholics Anonymous). 

There was something in the way of how she phrased it.  It certainly encouraged me to keep designing and commit to creating good stuff for the world. 

There continue to be many things happening in our lives of late.  So if you visit our website, you’ll probably notice the bursts of activity and then silence.

We are grateful for platforms and systems that allow us to share with you our creativity and our loves.

If you are new here, we encourage to check out Ron’s bible podcast – Season 3 that does a deep dive on Psalm 119 is my all time favorite.  

If life is a bit unsettling these days, we pray that these words from Reinhold Niebuhr comforts and supports you just as it has been an aide to us personally.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

You can purchase this mug for your everyday use or as a gift by clicking the link here.