By: James Neuhouser

I wake up this morning in a melancholy mood, we had plans on going to church but it just didn’t happen. I listen to Psalms 111, and it speaks to me and I feel every emotion at once. 

Some good news lately that changes my entire outlook on life. I listen to Psalms 111 to 130, which runs for well over an hour.

“Midnight shadows fill this bedroom, Fear keeps coursing through my mind. Tired eyes refuse their resting, Still I whisper desperate prayers.”

Someone had suggested that I rewrite some of my highlights, and I would love to but new things keep coming up. For some reason I can’t stop writing even though I might wish too. I’ve got a story in my head about the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel. Such an amazing story that affected his entire life, and perhaps changed the course of history. 

This week I had an epiphany. Something that I had probably thought about but this time it hit me. The difference between good and evil. Something that will tell you the difference. Most times it seems like evil is winning. It’s always about 50-50. Sometimes evil seems to be leading but we already know who is going to win the game. 

The difference is that good is eternal, infinite, evil is finite, i mi tot will end. I don’t know if everything infinite is spiritual, but everything that is spiritual is infinite. Let me give you an example of things on earth that are infinite. 

Names are infinite,  picking a name you could always add a letter or perhaps subtract one. The name Niceiana would be a good one. Every housing project is a name like River Creek.

“Lord please hear this broken cryin’ Calm my shaking heart tonight. Stay beside this weary body, Carry me through darkest hours.”

By: Ron Burt

Oakshade Raceway

Wauseon, OH, Saturday, June 13th – Colin Shipley won the DIRTcar UMP Late Model Race at Oakshade Saturday night. He started on the pole and for 25 laps fought off his stepfather, Rusty Schlenk, to get the win. It really got interesting when the two lead cars caught up to slower traffic. Shipley had some tough decisions to make as he approached heavy traffic running side by side with the veteran Schlenk. Colin began working through the lapped traffic, but he couldn’t separate any from the experienced veteran. After clearing the first batch of lapped traffic, the two drivers battled side for the lead with Schlenk trying to make the high side work. Shipley hugged the low side. The young driver stayed focused, not making any mistakes to fend off Schlenk to earn the race win. Casey Noonan finished third followed by Carter Murday and Devin Shiels.

Dylan Jessen survived a close call to get the win in the Late Model Sportsman feature to become the first (and only) repeat winner this season in any class at Oakshade, 2nd Josh Robertson, 3rd Dylan Hough, 4th Chris Williams, and 5th Mike Jessen. Dominator Stock Feature 1st Jeff Foks Jr., 2nd Mason Luttrell, 3rd Jake Rendel, 4th Scott Hammer and 5th Chane Stuckey. Sport Compact Feature, 1st Cory Gumm, 2nd Ryan Okuley, 3rd James Stamper, 4th Wesley Belkofer, and Adam Thomas.

Here’s Saturday’s Feature winners from Angola Motorsport Speedway, Saturday, June 13th, Late Model Tommy Cook, Modified Brandon Pulver, Street Stocks Lee Reed, Hornets Corbin Henderson and Front Wheel Drive Outlaws Derek Simon.

Feature winners from Flat Rock Speedway, Saturday, June 13th Figure 8 Motor City Madness 50, Billy Earley, Late Model Sportsman Mike Young and track history was made in the Street Stocks. Regan Ford Sr won the Street Stock feature in a first-ever 1-2-3 for the Fords, beating his brother Dan Ford Jr in P2, and son Regan Ford Jr in third. 

On Friday, June 12th, at Limaland Motorsports Park, Luke Hall won the USAC Thunder Midget feature at Limaland in the Mike Streicher Memorial. 2nd Bryce Massingill, 3rd Chett Gehrke, 4th Ian Creager, and 5th Dylan Trost. The Modified Mayhem feature for UMP Modifieds went to Jeff Koz, and it was his first feature Modified win of the season, 2nd Dustin Moore, 3rd Brennan Sherman, 4th Dylan Woodling, and 5th Drew Charlson. Thunderstock Feature Top 5, 1st Nick Bowers, 2nd Todd Sherman, 3rd Rob Trent, 4th Zach Rush, and 5th Dan Wooten. Dirt Truck Feature Top 5, Page Perrine got his first career DTTS win, 2nd Chris Hicks, 3rd Tony Anderson, 4th Rolly Heyder, and 5th Brandon Dailey.

We are currently in the middle of Ohio Sprint Week, featuring the All Star Circuit of Champions 410 Winged Sprints. It all started at Attica Raceway Park, on Friday, June 12th. On the podium 1st Craig Mintz, 2nd Parker Price Miller and 3rd Zeth Sabo. Saturday night June 13th the Series went to Sharon Speedway and the top 3, 1st Zeth Sabo, 2nd Dale Blaney and 3rd Leyton Wagner. Sunday, June 14th heavy rain canceled Millstream in Findlay, and the track didn’t want the make-up date. Monday, June 15, the Series was at Wayne County Speedway and your podium was 1st Kalib Henry 2nd Darin Naida and 3rd Brandon Spithaler. On Tuesday, June 16th Eldora Speedway was rained out, with no make-up date left. Thursday, June 18th Waynesfield Raceway Park had the best race of the Series and the 3 drivers on the podium 1st Chris Andrews, 2nd, Bryce Lucius and 3rd Nate Dussel. Friday the Series goes to Fremont Speedway. Atomic Speedway was scheduled to have the final race Saturday, June 21st. This was posted by Atomic Speedway 6/15/26 on their Facebook page. “We’re disappointed by the decision made to move the Ohio Sprint Speedweek Finale from Atomic Speedway, but unfortunately these are the things that happen with our current situation. All presale tickets for the event will be refunded”. Ohio Sprint Week will now wrap up at Wayne County Speedway Saturday, June 21st and pay the Feature winner $12,000.00. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron out!

By: Mark Holtsberry

Theodore P. Swats was born on April 1, 1888, in Virginia. He was the son of Charles Lewis Swats, who was born in April 1863 in Virginia, and Margaret J. (Guin) Swats, who was born on May 1, 1868, in Highland County, Virginia. The couple married on October 21, 1886, in Virginia.

By 1890, the Swats family was living in Virginia, where Charles worked as a blacksmith. They were the parents of Theodore, born in 1888, followed by Gabriel Augustus in 1890. By 1900, the family was still living in Virginia, and Charles continued to work as a blacksmith. The family had grown with the addition of Charles, born in 1893; Arthur, 1895; Cecil, 1897; and Boyd, 1899.

On February 1, 1906, Charles was murdered. He was buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Augusta County, Virginia. The two men responsible for his death were found guilty of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to serve five years in the state penitentiary.

On Friday, May 24, 1907, the recruiting station in Staunton, Virginia, accepted Theodore into military service. He enlisted in the United States 6th Light Field Artillery and was sent to Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio.

At the time of his enlistment, Theodore was farming. He was described as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, with blue eyes and black hair. He was later stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, where he met Alice Buchanan of Rosedale, Kansas. They were married on August 11, 1910. Alice was born in 1893, and because she was only seventeen years old, her mother gave consent for the marriage. Judge Ziegelasch performed the ceremony in the home of her mother.

No further information has been found regarding Alice. Theodore was discharged from the military on February 24, 1911, at Fort Riley, Kansas, under General Orders from the War Department. His discharge record stated that his character and service were excellent.

On March 10, 1915, Theodore’s mother died of cancer. She was buried beside Charles in Green Hill Cemetery. Theodore later moved to Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he re-enlisted in the military on July 27, 1918. He served in Battery C, 4th Regiment Field Artillery, and attained the rank of sergeant. He was discharged on December 20, 1918.

All of Theodore’s brothers registered for the draft, although only Boyd and Cecil served in the military.

The years of the 1920s remain vague. It is believed that Theodore and Alice divorced during that time.

By 1930, Theodore was living in Tiffin, Ohio, where he worked as a salesman for an advertising company. He was a lodger at 27 Clinton Avenue.

On May 4, 1931, Theodore married Violet Bernice Fohner. Violet was born on April 12, 1908, in Van Wert, Ohio. She had previously married in Michigan in 1924, but that marriage was unsuccessful.

By 1940, Theodore and Violet had moved to Washington Township, Paulding County, Ohio. Theodore was employed by the government as a laborer at the Trojan Powder Company’s Plum Ordnance Works near Sandusky, Ohio.

By 1950, Theodore and Violet were still living in Washington Township while working in the Sandusky area.

On April 3, 1951, Theodore passed away. He was buried in Little Auglaize Cemetery near Melrose, Ohio, in Lot 9, Grave 1. In 1952, he received a military grave marker.

On July 14, 1988, Violet passed away in Spencerville, Ohio. She had worked as a private home nursing care provider. She was laid to rest beside Theodore in Little Auglaize Cemetery.

… Until Next Time!

Dotting My Teas By: Marlene Oxender   

After I wrote “The Grandparent Leagues,” my grandson Deano and I talked about some of the funny thoughts I’d included. It was a story about senior citizens and what it would be like if they played softball.  

Deano and I tried to come up with a sport grandparents could play, and when soccer was mentioned, he said, “If grandparents played soccer, they’d be out of breath running up and down the field. They’d all want to be the goalkeeper because you just stand there. But sometimes you gotta dive, and that could be a problem.” 

Deano knows his grandmother is a keeper of words – especially his. He watched as I wrote his thoughts in a booklet I carry in my purse. 

Children have a way of telling it like it is, and their words can take us back to a familiar place. A place where we were strong. A place where climbing a tree was as simple as trusting our legs to lift us to the next branch. And balance – how could that ever be a problem? 

If a young person falls, there can be laughter. When a grandparent falls, it’s followed by a time-out until it’s determined they’re okay. Or not okay. 

Years ago, I was with my mother as she sat down in a gliding rocking chair. I saw the chair start to tip, and although I was right beside it, I couldn’t grab the handle fast enough. The chair fell, taking Mom with it. 

So there I was, standing in the living room looking down at my 85-year-old mother, still in the chair, which was on its side on the floor. She needed help. I needed help.  

The phone rang. Mom told me not to tell anyone she was on the floor. It was my sister-in-law Karrie calling to say the roads were icy. She was home safe and sound, though her van had done a slip-slide. Her nephew had come to the rescue, so all was well. 

Mom was sitting on the floor listening to our conversation – a conversation that was not to include the fact that she was on the floor. 

After I hung up the phone, my mother decided she’d have to get herself up. I watched as she crawled to the couch and got to her knees before coming to a standing position. She said she wasn’t hurt except for the bump on her head. She still didn’t want to give up her idea of not telling anyone.  

I left for an appointment in Fort Wayne but stopped back on my way home to check on her. By then, both of us could see the humor in the story, and we laughed. Mom said she must have been quite a sight to see. I told her a couple of pens had flown out of her hands. And some papers were scattered on the floor.

Her insistence on not discussing the fall was one of the story’s comical parts. She just needed time before deciding it would be best to let the family know. So I wrote an email to my siblings, and in the morning, Mom shared her side:

And before I could get up, Marlene said, “That will make a good falling story – Grandma off her rocker.”

If it wasn’t for her, I would not have tried to set on the rocker. She wanted a telephone number, and I came from the davenport to write it down on a piece of paper under the light. I don’t believe I even got set down, mostly on the left side, and it tipped over. She was right there but it happened so quickly she couldn’t catch me.

I cracked my head on the corner of the secretary, and the arm of the chair bruised my right side. The phone rang while I was still down, and it was Karrie telling Marlene about the snow on the roads. 

I had said right away, “Don’t tell anybody.” So she listened to Karrie and never said a word. I finally got turned onto my knees and able to make it up. 

I told Darrell because I thought he wondered why I didn’t pick up Steve. I have a bump on my head, but it doesn’t hurt unless I touch it. Could have been worse. 

When Carolyn called, I was laughing and I turned the phone over to Marlene. When she came in the evening – she started laughing and going over the whole episode. 

Verna is picking me up and I am going with her to Hicksville Hospital for a program.

Have a good day. Love and God bless. Mom 

Somewhere along the way, grandparents become the keepers of words that make a story worth remembering. We’re in our own league now, one where young people help us in ways we never expected. They’ll teach us how to use a computer and how to write emails. They’ll hold our hand and carry our lawn chairs to a shaded area where we can watch them run on a soccer field.

In turn, we can tell them how we’ve been the keeper of our own goals. How we’ve become experts at doing things at a leisurely pace. How we dig in flower gardens by day and sit around campfires at night. 

We’ve had our share of experience in the game of life. We’ve been the coach. We’ve been the referee. Now we’re the consultants and the keepers of stories. 

Marlene Oxender is a writer, speaker, and author. She writes about growing up in the small town of Edgerton, her ten siblings, the memorabilia in her parents’ estate, and her late younger brother, Stevie Kimpel, who was born with Down syndrome. Her three published books, Picket Fences, Stevie and Grandma, You Already Am Old, are available on Amazon. Marlene can be reached at mpoxender@gmail.com  

Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” 

This verse is a powerful reminder of the centrality of faith in the life of a believer. It emphasizes two key aspects: belief in God’s existence and confidence in His power and character as a rewarder. 

First, I believe faith is essential to true Christian living. It is through faith that individuals enter into a relationship with God. The stronger your faith, the stronger your relationship with God, resulting in more peace in your life. In my service to God, I have experienced many miserable Christians. Operating and speaking on the premise of no faith, I don’t think they realized they were miserable and lacking in the primary essential element needed for a covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Essentially, misery begets misery. not love. The stronger your faith, the stronger your love. They are directly proportionate to one another. 

Secondly, the passage highlights the importance of diligently seeking God. This isn’t a passive belief; it requires action on our part. Committed action! Diligently seeking God implies a commitment to prayer, studying Scripture, and living in a way that aligns with His will. You are a God Chaser! God promises that those who earnestly seek Him will find Him, which reinforces the idea that our pursuit of Him will lead to spiritual rewards—peace, guidance, and ultimately, a deeper relationship with Him. Seek Him as if you were seeking gold. 

In essence, Hebrews 11:6 encourages us to cultivate a faith that not only believes in God’s existence but also actively seeks Him. It reassures us that our efforts in pursuing a relationship with God will not go unrewarded. God is eager to reward those who earnestly seek Him. This gives us hope and motivation to continue our spiritual journey, knowing that we are not alone and that our faith will bear fruit. But without faith, it’s impossible to please God.

Peace and Love,

—Pastor Dwayne

By: Ron Burt

The 32nd Annual Eldora Dream Week didn’t disappoint the Super Late Model fans last week at the Big E. With all the rain we had leading up to the annual event, Tony Stewart and his ground crew had the track in good racing conditions.  Eighty two drivers and race teams made the haul hoping to have one or more of the weeks big paydays. 

FloRacing Night in America kicked off Eldora Dream Week, Wednesday, June 3rd. Max Blair set fast time 15.495, and he won the first of 6 heat races. After winning a couple of big races the week before, including last Saturdays $100,057.00 win at Mansfield Speedway, all eyes were on Nick Hoffman. He still had momentum in his favor and pulled out a hard fought victory and $20,000.00 first place prize money. Finishing behind the leader 2nd Devin Moran, 3rd Dale McDowell, 4th Brandon Sheppard and 5th Chris Ferguson.

Thursday, June 4th was Dream Night 1 with Dan Ebert taking the fastest lap in qualifying 14.964. Unfortunately, he was only able to pull out at 15th place finish in the feature. Your winner Bobby Pierce won the feature after starting inside on row 4. On the podium with the winner was Tyler Erb 2nd and Hudson O’Neal 3rd.  

Friday, June 5th Dirt Late Model Dream Night 2 Eldora Speedway Dale McDowell set fast time with 15.036. He started the feature inside row 2 but just couldn’t advance. The winner Jonathan Davenport had a solid night winning the 2nd heat race, started the feature in 6th and was able to work through traffic and get the win. Behind Davenport was 2nd Brandon Overton, and 3rd Dale McDowell.

On Saturday, June 6th the weather didn’t look favorable for the 100 lap Dream. The sky opened and a lake developed in the infield. Once the downpour stopped, the pumps, drainage system and ground crew went to work and by hot lap time, the track came around and was race ready for the 32nd Annual Dirt Late Model Dream. Bobby Pierce had the best run of the 4 nights of racing, starting The Dream in 13th, fighting his way through lots of traffic, leaders and lapped cars to park his car in Vicory Lane for big $100,000.00 payday. Behind the winner Max Blair, Nick Hoffman, Dale McDowell and Devin Moran. A lucky race fan also won big. The take-home share of the 50/50 was $42,686.00.

Other racing results in the area Friday and Saturday:

Friday, June 5th Attica Raceway Park Attica Ohio ran a regular show with 3 car classes. Your feature top finishers were, 410 Winged Sprints 1st Cap Henry, 2nd Trey Jacobs, and 3rd Gauge Garcia. 305 Winged Sprints 1st Jamie Miller, 2nd Dustin Dinan, and 3rd Bryan Sebetto. UMP Super Dirt Late Models 1st Kyle Moore, 2nd Rusty Schlenk, and 3rd Gregg Haskell.

Friday, June 5th Limaland Motorsports Park Lima Ohio featured the Great Lakes Super Sprints, along with the UMP Modifieds and Thunder Stocks. Great Lake Super Sprints 1st Nate Dussel, 2nd Van Gurly Jr. and 3rd Max Stambaugh. UMP Modifieds 1st Drew Charlson, 2nd Dalton Lane, and 3rd Jeff Koz. Thunder Stocks 1st Aiden Hervey, 2nd Jordon Conover, and 3rd Tony Anderson.

Saturday, June 6th, Oakshade Raceway OH featured 3 Race Classes Sportsmen/Modified Challenge, Dominator Stocks and Sport Compacts.

Sportsmen vs Modified Feature, 1st Mike Jessen, 2nd Dylan Jessen, and 3rd Josh Robertson. Dominator Super Stocks Top 3, 1st Jake Rendel, 2nd Jeff Foks Jr., and 3rd Jerrett Rendel. Sport Compact Feature, 1st James Stamper, 2nd Ken Wells, and 3rd Ryan Okuley.

Next week I will cover Ohio Sprint week which is currently going on for the 410 Winged Outlaw Sprints and the Annual Indiana Midget Week, featuring the National drivers in USAC. Until next week, keep your wheels down. Ron Out!

By: Mark Holtsberry

John Irvin Swisher was born July 3, 1893, in Paulding County, Ohio, the son of George M. Swisher, who was born in December 1850 in Ohio, and Mary E. (Ayers) Swisher, who was born in 1864 in Ohio. The couple was married on January 13, 1885, in Van Wert, Ohio.

By 1890, the family was living in Paulding County, where George worked as a day laborer. A daughter, Laura Gertrude Swisher, was born in October 1885, followed by Francis John in July 1889. By 1900, the family was still living in Paulding. A daughter, Anna Elizabeth, had been born, followed by Joseph Marion in January 1895, Candice Allene in March 1897, and Vera Cleora in June 1899. John was a grade school student at the time.

By 1910, the family had moved to Bethany Township, Gratiot County, Michigan. George found work as a farm laborer. The birth of Bernard R. Swisher in 1902 completed the family. John was working odd jobs as a laborer. John’s mother, Mary, passed away, although details of her burial could not be found. George remarried within the year.

By 1915, John had moved to Erie County, Ohio, where he worked various odd jobs. There he met a seventeen-year-old young woman named Carla R. Hill. They were married in 1915. Sadly, she died on October 26, 1915, and was buried in Sand Hill Cemetery in Margaretta Township, Erie County, Ohio.

George’s second wife, Darlah Ruby Swisher, passed away on Wednesday, January 5, 1916, at 2:30 in the afternoon at her parents’ home. Funeral services were held at the home on Saturday afternoon.

John registered for the World War I draft on June 5, 1917, in Erie County, Ohio. He was described as being of medium height and build, with brown eyes and auburn hair, and was noted as having a disability in his right ear. At the time, he was working as a teamster for Woodside Farms in Breckenridge, Michigan.

On August 26, 1918, John joined the National Guard out of Sandusky, Ohio. He served with the 39th Company, 10th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade until September 28, 1918. He was then transferred to Battery B, 70th Field Artillery. He received an honorable discharge on January 30, 1919.

On December 31, 1919, John married Ruth Bartley Sedore. She was born on August 24, 1902, in Isabella County, Michigan. In 1920, John and Ruth lived with John’s father and stepmother in Wheeler, Michigan, on Cedar Street. John was engaged in farming.

After their divorce in 1922, Ruth, for whom this was her second marriage, went on to marry two more times. John moved to Colorado, although it is not known what took him there. He passed away on December 31, 1924. His body was returned home and buried in Sand Hill Cemetery beside his first wife, Carla.

Ruth passed away shortly after her fourth marriage on July 14, 1929. She is buried in New Mexico.

… Until Next Time!

Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker

Has anything funny or embarrassing ever happened to you?  Have you ever lost your glasses and found them on top of your head? 

Everyone at one time or another has done something embarrassing and I am really good at it.  Years ago my family went out to eat at a nice restaurant in Lima. In the glass counter where you check out, there was a display of homemade cinnamon rolls. A sign in front of the rolls said 5 for $10.  They looked so good I said I wanted 5. 

When I went to pay the clerk said, “That will be $15.” I replied, “No, the sign says 5/10. That would be $2 a piece.” The clerk said, “Oh that sign is for something else, but cinnamon rolls are $3 for 1.” I lost my temper a little bit and told the lady taking the money, “ Well I am not paying $3 per roll, so just put them back in the case.”

It was winter time and the parking lot was icy. I stomped out the door and “wheee” I went sliding down the icy road and went under a parked car. My head was sticking out from the car so thank God I was ok. People coming out the door said “that’s the lady who got mad over cinnamon rolls.” I was embarrassed and said, “Well sir, I just wanted a roll. “

This story came to me a while back. A gentleman was in Fort Wayne and saw a stand and a sign that said “Free hotdogs” Going up to the stand he told the waitress, “I’ll take one of those free hot dogs.” 

He decided he wanted mustard on his hot dog and reached for the mustard container. He squeezed the container and nothing came out. He shook some more and still no mustard.

Then showing his manly muscles he squeezed that mustard bottle so hard that the mustard lid came off and mustard squirted out all over. His mustard landed on the poor waitress and himself. He was embarrassed and his hot dog landed on the ground.

He told me, “I told her I was sorry but she was not friendly at that point so I just went to a gas station and tried getting my clothes clean in the bathroom sink.” 

In high school many years ago, I always tried to chew gum in class and study hall. Ha! Teacher never caught me till one day she called out my name, “Nancy come up here.” She said, “I saw you chewing that gum so spit it out and bring it to me.”

I went to the front of the room and the teacher said, “Now put that gum on the chalkboard and stick your nose on it for the remainder of class.” No, no, not me I could not stand up in front of everyone with my nose glued to the chalkboard. That was so embarrassing. But I did and I never tried chewing gum in her class again.

Then one Sunday we had a church dinner and I was so hungry. There was a beautiful angel food cake on the table with chocolate frosting on it. Oh my. With my tummy growling I looked around and did not see anyone. So, I stuck my finger right in that cake and licked off that good chocolate frosting. About that time a big church lady came up and said, “Nancy get your finger out of my cake.” I jumped back and said, “Ma’am I only stuck one finger in it and it was so good. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone please.”

Yep, I got caught and it made me feel embarrassed. However that  lick of chocolate frosting off my finger was worth every penny I had. 

I just heard another story of a young man who was good at history and current events. His knowledge won him a trip to Washington DC 

Another student went also and one evening a very fancy dinner was held. Students were dressed to the hilt and the other student who went with him also was sitting beside him.

Everyone was getting ready for a delicious dinner when the young man had a sudden sneeze. Aaaaa-chooooo. Talk about being embarrassed . A big ball of the contents of his nose (snot) escaped from his nostrils and landed on the girls arm. I was told, “no one was very hungry at our table after that!”

We all have days and times of thinking “Now why did I do that and who all saw me do it. 

Have you ever done something that might have embarrassed you? Have you ever squirted mustard on a waitress or slid on the ice under a car over cinnamon rolls?

Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts.

Matthew 7:1-2 states, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

This passage is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, in which he imparts essential teachings on human relationships and moral integrity. At its core, these verses highlight the principle of reciprocity in judgment—implying that the standards we apply to others will inevitably be applied to us in return.

The verses remind us to approach others with humility rather than a critical spirit. It’s easy to point out faults in others while overlooking our own imperfections. This calls for self-reflection and personal accountability, urging us to focus on our own behavior before critiquing others.

The idea that the measure we use will be the measure used toward us underscores a moral law of the universe. If we judge harshly, we can expect that same harshness to come back to us. In my old neighborhood, we would say,” What goes around comes around”.  

Conversely, showing grace, understanding, and kindness can foster a more compassionate environment.

Encouraging empathy and understanding fosters deeper relationships, in which individuals support one another rather than tearing each other down. This fosters an environment where people feel safe to share their struggles without fear of condemnation.

In retrospect, these verses invite spiritual contemplation about our own shortcomings and the grace we’ve received. Understanding our need for forgiveness can cultivate a compassionate heart that extends that same grace to others.

Matthew 7:1-2 challenges us not only to reconsider how we judge others’ actions but also to recognize the power of our words and judgments in shaping our relationships and the communities we inhabit. By embracing this teaching, we can contribute to healing and understanding in our interactions with others. Lord knows we could all use healing and understanding. Can’t we? 

Peace and Love,

—Pastor Dwayne 

“Do you remember 

“When you walked among men 

“Jesus, you know when you’re looking below 

“It’s worse now than then 

“Pushing and shoving, crowding your mind 

“Lord for my sake 

“Teach me to take 

“One day at a time”

My friend had a difficult day yesterday. I felt so sorry, but there was not a whole lot that I could do except to pray. This life is not easy, It seems that trials are a big part of it. While contemplating the day my friend had, this song came to mind. What else can we do but take  life one day at a time.

“One day at a time, sweet Jesus

“That’s all I’m asking of you

“Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do 

“Yesterday’s gone, sweet Jesus 

“And tomorrow may never be mine 

“Help me today 

“Show me the way 

“One day at a time”

A friend told me today that America is no longer a Christian nation. This is probably true. When I was a lad literally everyone I knew went to church. Europe had huge cathedrals, but they were empty. Now I don’t see any of my neighbors going to church. 

“I’m only human, I’m just a man 

“Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am 

“Show me the stairway 

“That I have to climb 

“Lord for my sake 

“Teach me to take 

“One day at a time”

As we near the end of our days, life becomes even more of a struggle. We can’t do many of the things we used to do, but we are always thankful for what we have, and all we are able to do. One day at a time.

—James Neuhouser