Welcome To THE NUGGET Kindling the Flames By: Paul Smyth ------------------------------ February 3, 2022 If you are anything like me, watching a fire dance about in a fireplace is tremendously soothing. Whether from a fire log, split timber or even natural gas—the yellowy-orange flames can supply more than heat and light. In my opinion, they provide a sense of calm, peace, and relaxation. ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET The Mitts February 1, 2022 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blo ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET Resilient Palms By: Lyn Chaffart ---------------------------------- January 29, 2022 "The space above the door leading into the inner room, and its walls inside and out, were also paneled. All the walls were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim." (Ezekiel 41:17-18 NLT) ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET Resilient Palms By: Lyn Chaffart ---------------------------------- March 18, 2023 "The space above the door leading into the inner room, and its walls inside and out, were also paneled. All the walls were decorated with carvings of cherubim, each with two faces, and there was a carving of a palm tree between each of the cherubim." (Ezekiel 41:17-18 NLT) I ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET Rays of Light By: Shirley Moulton ----------------------------- January 27, 2022 As children, we enjoyed playing with, and learning about, the properties of light through its rays.  A small bright light in a dark room allowed us to make shadow puppets, using our hands, on the wall.  The magnifying glass opened up new worlds as we explored nature up close, and set little grass fires in th ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET Back to Basics By Paul Smyth ------------------------------ January 25, 2022 This morning I woke up at 4 a.m. It wasn’t because I had a bad dream or a distant train whistle stirred me to consciousness. I simply opened my eyes and waited for my brain to catch up! Are you aware that you can’t solve all the world’s problems in the middle of the night? Believe me, I’ve t ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET The Inspiration By: Lyn Chaffart -------------------------------- January 22, 2022 Even though you’ve regularly seen a devotional written by me each Saturday in the Nugget, these do no weekly flow as to when they are written. Sometimes God gives me all kinds of material, and 5 or 6 devotionals flow out in a couple days. Other times, nothing. And once in a while, circumstances dictate that I take a ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Sword Fight January 21, 2022 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ~ Ephesians 6:13 NIV ~ I have been quite spiritually motivated of late by reading stories of World War II heros. One such hero was British officer, Ja ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET At a Crossroad January 20, 2022 It was the Summer of my 16th year.  I was 2000 miles away from home and my heart was aching.  I had traveled from the mountains of West Virginia to the great plains of Iowa.  I was with a group of boys touring a Seminary college.  When the trip had first started I was filled with excitement.  It was going to be a week of adventure, a week of travel, and the possibility of ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE NUGGET The Rock By: Lynne Phipps --------------------------------- January 18, 2022 "For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights." (Psalms 18:31-33 NIV) Along the trails where I walk with my do ...Continue Reading