Thoughts By Bill Strom

2026-05-09

How Much Do Parents Give Up?

Are you “giving up” your life with the hope to be repaid, or are you willing to let that go? Lord, Help me pour into them things that matter.

2026-04-30

We Are Not Consumed

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

2026-03-05

We Are Not Consumed

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

2025-12-23

I Wonder About Mary

What do you think was going through Mary’s head as delivery day approached? Could she ever have anticipated delivery in a barn?

2025-12-18

Joy in the Midst

How might we find joy amidst this busy season or when pressures abound? Might we learn from Mary who submitted herself to God, aware that He had her best interests at heart?

2025-10-19

Contentment in October

Where I live October is a transition month. By October summer is all put away. The lawnmower sits idle in the shed, and deck chairs lean against the back of the house. Annual flowers once in full bloom now rot in compost piles, ...

2025-08-18

When Trusting God is Hard for the Abused

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

2025-02-21

If Hockey Banned Fighting

Take Action: The next time you are in a conflict situation, look for ways to defuse the situation through apology, listening, or walking away

2024-12-24

The Joy of the Lord is My Christmas

We sometimes say Christmas is a Holy Day, but personally I forget that too often amidst the tinsel, TV, toys and boys. I forget that genuine joy comes from celebrating Emmanuel

2024-08-29

Created, Lost, and Bought

The story is told of a young boy taken with model ship building and the sailing of his boats on the lake outside of town. After saving up quite a large sum from mowing lawns and walking dogs, ...

2024-08-19

I-Dolatry

It is easy to cave to thoughts that feed our ego! "You really are amazing,” “Your ideas are no doubt better!”, and “Aren’t these people lucky to have you as their friend?”

2024-06-05

Welcoming Gently

Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us a life worth imitating. May I bow in awe of His glory and from that place open my heart to people.

2024-04-15

God Is HOLY

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. God is awesome. He is also holy, another term far too misused or over used.

2024-03-25

God is Creator, We the Created

I am convinced I can become bitter toward God if I believe two myths: 1) I deserve to be happy, and 2) God is in charge of making it so. In truth, God is more interested in us becoming like Jesus

2024-03-06

Not Against Flesh and Blood

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

2024-03-03

Finding the Good in Conflict

Conflict may be difficult, but good can come of it. Conflict is a part of life, and good-meaning people rub each other the wrong way routinely. The question is how we will deal with it — either destructively or constructively?

2024-02-22

How Do We Pay Attention to God

Recently I chatted with experts in listening attentively and empathetically to callers who suffer from depression, loneliness, or various life hang-ups. I asked, “What does it mean to listen to God? More than that, how do we listen to God?” The responses came quickly:

2023-10-24

A New Deal

So instead of God waiting for you to mess up, and we all mess up, he provided a way to forgive the mistakes and a Helper to guide your heart and mind to do better.

2023-09-24

What An Idiot

What do people need besides our critical comments? Dear God, Help me extend grace and patience to others just as I hope you will do towards me. Amen.

2023-09-11

Unless a Seed Falls

unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24

2023-08-30

The Easy Yoke

When I was young I thought a godly life meant avoiding things that others in town enjoyed freely. I was on the outside looking in as my youthful peers spoke of their first cigarette, drink, and engagements with girls. Their lives seemed carefree, and mine a burden.

2023-08-23

Caught Blue-Handed

Have you met people who refuse to deal with sin in their life, who cross their arms and huff “I’ve done nothing wrong!”?

2023-08-16

Looking Down the Lane

Dear God, it is so easy to think that life without you is free, fun, and easy. Help me see that in You I find significance.

2023-06-26

God, Our Peace

Can you call God your peace? Do you lean on his peaceful ways to get through trials?