One of the many features that I love about Kansas is its population; it’s small in number compared to many states. I also have a fond affection for the diverse landscapes of the Flint Hills and the bumper crops of sunflowers that adorn the roadsides that lace their way through the Kansas prairies.
If you’re one of the less than 3 million people who call Kansas home, you may know the sunflower was designated as the official state flower in 1903. This long-stemmed flower with petals of golden yellow is classified as a turnsole plant, a word of French origin and one that means to “turn towards the sun.”
The sunflower, like all plants, is not self-sufficient—it depends upon the sun for essential nourishment.
Health-conscious individuals are learning what botanists have known for many years: In proper amounts, there are some benefits associated with exposure to the sun. There’s ample research that’s easily available, and it indicates the sun’s rays are beneficial to your health.
While the sun is important to you physically and mentally, it pales in comparison to the Son, who is vital to your spiritual well-being: “The one who believes in the Son has eternal life. The one who rejects the Son will not see life, but God’s wrath remains on him (John 3:36).”
I encourage you to cultivate the habit of rising in the morning, facing the Son, and following Him throughout the day. When you practice this routine you will develop a God-focused regimen of strength that recognizes that it’s, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6).”
When you arise in the morning, why not give the Son a chance to shine on you?
People come in many shapes and sizes. Some of them are disillusioned and distracted; others are inquisitive and interesting. 
One of the best-known and well-liked chapters in the Bible, is Psalm 23. In times of heartache, people contemplate its principles and find solace in its truths.
Like most of you, I have watched the news and thought often about the people who have felt the fury of hurricane Harvey. The needs of the people of Texas have been the focus of some of my prayers.
Even though I’m Kansas born and Kansas bred, I was a resident of the bluebonnet state of Texas for about ten years. Texans are proud of their state’s scenic beauty, its abundant natural resources, and the tasty Tex-Mex cuisine.
How would life, as you know it, change if churches and faith-based organizations went on strike and no longer contributed to the needs of society? The void of services would sound a mournful echo reverberating with the shock waves of desperation.
The year was 1963, and it was the first time I saw the ugly face of racial prejudice. It happened while we were vacationing in the South and had spent the night at a relative’s house.
Some people are so busy talking down to others, they never share an uplifting word. One stokes the smoldering ashes of human misery, while the other shares the comforting warmth of God’s mercy. Will you do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12)?
Some people are incredibly kind and compassionate in the way they consistently treat others; however, due to the surface similarity of the two, the depth of difference between kindness and compassion can be overlooked.
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