Years ago, I was introduced to the concept of growing vegetables through a technique called hydroponics, which is the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil. I was amazed! Not because I don’t like getting my fingers dirty, but because of what hydroponics could mean for people all over the world. One of the hot new innovations that was talked about at the time was the possibility of using fish as the source of the “added nutrients” needed to support plant growth; this method is called aquaponics. I was excited about the idea of being able to produce both vegetables and protein for consumption from the same system. As I researched the topic

Swords into Plowshares. When Teresa sent out the email requesting volunteers to share blog posts, that title stuck out at me first from the list of weekly topics. "ME! I pick that one!" I responded, because that phrase appealed to me on many different levels. Plus, it should be an EASY* concept to write about, right? I already knew EXACTLY* what it meant. (*capitals have been added for emphasis and sarcasm.) One of my favorite things about the teaching at Grace has been the tendency to challenge preconceived notions and weigh them against God's character and scripture itself. I've heard the same thing said by others during the teaching team meetings as well, and I'd hope that if you've s

As we approach Veteran’s Day this next weekend, I would like to ask my church family to pray for all veterans. Besides the obvious physical disabilities many of these veterans struggle with as they return from war, there are many more with the often-unseen struggles with PTSD. This inner struggle of nightmares and daytime flashbacks can cause the veteran to be paranoid, un-trusting, isolated, and angry or irritable. It can make him/her feel hopeless, numb, and guilty in knowing that they have their lives while others they served with do not. The veteran can have loss of memory, insomnia, startle easily, and use self-destructive behaviors in attempt to numb their pain. The Veterans Admi