ODJ: tracking and planning
When I spotted some fresh tracks last week, I determined that they had been made by a fairly large red deer, almost certainly a male. So I worked out where he would be lying down for the day, then I planned my evening ambush. After I sat motionless for almost 2 hours, he made his appearance. Stepping out from the woods, he came to within 8 yards of me. The only problem was that he came directly
https://ymi.today/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ymi-logo-black-3.png 0 0 YMI https://ymi.today/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/ymi-logo-black-3.png YMI2015-09-11 00:00:152022-10-25 11:20:00ODJ: tracking and planningODJ: a grim reminder
What are you reading?” a friend asked. “A fairy tale,” I replied. “Oh, I love fairy tales,” she said and leaned over to read the title of the story. “Ewww!” she said, “What a grim title.” I was reading “The Glass Coffin” in the book Grimms’ Fairy Tales. Apparently the word coffin turned her off.While most of
ODJ: who am i?
Looking back, some of the most stretching moments in my life came when I was asked to do something new—something I had never done before. Perhaps you can relate to being asked to do something way out of your comfort zone!God was preparing to free the Jews from slavery (Exodus 3:8). He gave Moses the job, but he said, “Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” (vv.10-
ODJ: i got this
I had been doing well in my university classes and assumed that my upcoming logic exam was no big deal. A lukewarm sense of complacency settled over me. You might sum up my attitude as “I got this!”Unforgiving reality showed me I most certainly did not have this. My grade for the term plummeted. It seems my academic philosophy contained a misjudgement or two.The historical acc
ODJ: ignoring discouraging words
Many people are familiar with the book Gone with the Wind, and even more have seen the movie that was filmed in 1939 starring famous Hollywood actor Clark Gable. But what many people don’t realise is that the novel written by Margaret Mitchell was rejected 38 times by publishers before finally being accepted. It went on to sell 30 million copies. What if Margaret Mitche
ODJ: a large portion
As I was putting my 11 year old son to bed one night, we finally got around to talking about what had happened at church that morning. When we went forward to take communion, he used only one hand to break off the bread. As a result, he ended up with an exceptionally large piece—causing me and the administering elder to break into smiles.“I didn’t want to touch someone else&rsqu
ODJ: called to love
A friend and I once did an 8 day walk in the north of England. Much of our second day’s walk was done in view of Dunstanburgh Castle, a giant 14th century fort now in ruins. The castle was built by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, with a purpose: to declare Thomas’ wealth and glory. In many ways he succeeded. Seven centuries later, the castle keeps Thomas’ name alive. But in the most
ODJ: one amazing Saviour
Margaret Felten is one amazing mum. When I was a child, she offered hugs and kisses when I skinned a knee or was feeling sad and confused. Later she showed me what sacrifice and godly wisdom is all about—modelling a Christ-like path for me to follow. In my adult years she stood with my wife, Lynn, and me, praying for us as we faced life’s battles. When I fought a life-threatening ill
ODJ: disappointment & growth
Roger Bannister was considered the favourite for the 1500m race at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. He planned to retire if he won gold, but an unusual schedule at the Games affected his chances and he came in fourth. Instead of quitting, however, his disappointment spurred him on to continue competing. Two years later he went on to change sporting history. On 6 May 1954, at the Iffley Road track i