Author: Chuck Goldberg

has a degree in journalism and a Master of Divinity in Christian education. A former newspaper reporter and magazine managing editor, he is now an ordained minister and freelance writer-editor.

The thought of yard work is akin to a colonoscopy, but at least I can put off a colonoscopy. A lawn needs attention, and the signs of life are getting too unmistakable to ignore much longer. I’ve never understood people who tell me they find yard work relaxing. Despite my standing invitation for them to relax at my house anytime, I’ve had no takers yet.

Orville Rogers may be 95 years old, but remains a competitive world-record-setting runner, after taking up the sport at age 50, and even went skydiving at 90 and hang-gliding at 93. While his contemporaries nurse their health, Rogers continues living vibrantly. His secret is found in the Bible, which he reads every year—now in the midst of his 50th time.

Though Halloween is over, Satan remains active year-round, quietly deceiving the unaware in many ways. In the following story, one lady who thought she was a Christian even wound up in witchcraft. Clearly, we must remain alert, because the devil never stops “looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8, NIV)

At first, Nichols seemed to be on track for a storybook life—talented, beautiful, and always achieving her goals. She finished high school in two years and began college at 16, eventually transferring to Baylor University at age 18 in 1989 as a music education major. In the upper five percent of her class, Nichols also had scholarships for master’s and doctoral degrees. Plus, she was already a sought-after motivational speaker, so she felt God had abundantly blessed her.