Love Archives - Walking The Good Road

Unexpected Strength at Hacksaw Ridge

November 7, 2019 by Volkhard Graf

The movie "Hacksaw Ridge," based on the real-life story of Desmond Doss, tells his story of patriotism and love for country, despite being a conscientious objector. He had vowed to God that he would never take up a weapon but still wanted to serve his country. As you might imagine, not only was his patriotism questioned. Desmond suffered severe ridicule, was beaten and hurt by his fellow soldiers and court-martialed for not following orders. I'm not ashamed to admit, it moved me to tears.

Power of Choice

March 28, 2019 by Volkhard Graf

Would you agree that one of our most valuable opportunities as human beings is the power to choose? We might not think about it that much, because only when we’re faced with situations where we feel we have no choice do we recognize it. An enslaved person or a prisoner doesn’t have a choice. A …

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it!

March 8, 2019 by Volkhard Graf

Whoever thought first of using their refrigerator as a picture board had a brilliant idea. As I grab some milk for my coffee, I am surprised about the images we have collected on ours over many years. Little ones, who by now are married and have their own kids. Youngsters in their sports uniforms. Graduates …

Victor, how ’bout your Dad?

June 19, 2017 by Volkhard Graf

The movie “Smoke Signals” is comical and entertaining…and it points toward an important issue in all our lives. The issue is Fatherhood. In the story, Thomas Builds the Fire is driving his friend Victor nuts with the question:“Victor, how ‘bout your Dad”. The film shows them growing up together, both without a father. Thomas seems …

Doing What Love and Compassion Dictates

November 9, 2015 by Volkhard Graf

The country of my birth, Germany, is facing a challenge of before unknown proportions. Hundreds of thousands of refugees, primarily from Syria are streaming into the country. They have great hopes and dreams of a safer, better life. The majority of them have faced loss of all their possessions. Many of their family members have been …

What is the more radical solution: Elimination or Service?

April 26, 2015 by Volkhard Graf

Sitting down in the small Waiting Room at the Doctor’s office, I reached for one of the daily newspaper sections scattered among the magazines and promotional materials on display. The headline article dealt with the pressing issue of the day, the recent deadly outbreak of the Ebola Virus in East Africa. As I read about …

The Power of Forgiveness and Healing

December 29, 2013 by Volkhard Graf

He was popular and successful as commander of Syria’s powerful army. His leadership abilities and military prowess had made him rich and his king famous beyond the country’s borders. Things couldn’t have been better if there would not have been another truth about his life that made all his achievements, status, and riches mean next …

Trail to Peace–A Native American’s Story by Spencer Cody

June 8, 2012 by Volkhard Graf

I sat in stone silence looking at the white man sitting a few feet away from me. My heart was cold toward him, and I assumed he felt the same about me. “This is the way it has always been and the way it will always be,” I thought to myself, “the Indian and the …

Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly

February 2, 2012 by Volkhard Graf

If you have ever experienced injustice, you know the feelings that take hold when it happens. Maybe you were wrongly accused of something, stolen from, or attacked because of the color of skin. Injustice can lead you to the brink of losing it. Frustrated and angry, embarrassed and without recourse, you stare helplessly into the …

Becoming A True Radical

September 15, 2011 by Volkhard Graf

Many people today engage in over-the-top activities in search of the next adrenaline rush. No longer is it enough to just do something, it all has to be “extreme!” Extreme sports may include skiing down nearly impossible terrain or jumping off a cliff into the ocean many feet below. Cars have to be extreme too …

“One-anothering”?

May 8, 2010 by Volkhard Graf

On a recent visit to my “old” home country, Germany, I drove my now elderly mother to the local bank. Waiting in the car for her to return, I looked down the street at the sign of a small Mom and Pop store selling toys, magazines, books, and many other small things. As I thought …

Who is my Neighbor?

March 19, 2009 by Volkhard Graf

Have you ever been asked a question by someone that left you immediately with the impression that it was asked in a manipulative or leading way? Jesus often seemed to be the target of those kinds of inquiries. This one began with a lawyer asking him how to receive eternal life—a legitimate and important question. …

The Runaway

August 3, 2006 by Volkhard Graf

Growing up in a well-to-do family has its advantages. Growing up in a family with means and where everybody is loved and cared for is even better. Yet, even the best circumstances do not always lead to the best consequences. Jesus tells a story of a young man who became a runaway. He grew up …

Christmas “Wars”?

December 22, 2005 by Volkhard Graf

If you tuned in to the news during the past weeks, you most likely heard the words Christmas and war used in the same sentence—something you might not have thought possible before. Essentially, the debate is about being “politically correct” by no longer naming Christmas as such but calling it “holiday” so as not to …

Relationship Problems

August 11, 2004 by Volkhard Graf

Turn on the news and it stares you right in the face: Domestic disputes, strife with neighbors, divorce, adultery, kidnappings, ethnic unrest, war… Have you ever thought about the fact that just about every problem in the world has at its bottom line a problem of relationship? Society seems to recognize this fact and offers …

The Passion of the Christ

April 7, 2004 by Volkhard Graf

During this week, Christians around the world remember the suffering that God’s son, Jesus, the Christ went through. The recently released movie portraying the last twelve hours of Jesus, has generated much controversy, praise, and maybe most of all new interest in how and why Christ suffered! It seems remarkable that in a world, where …

Who am I to you?

February 4, 2004 by Volkhard Graf

One day when Jesus was traveling the country with his small band of followers he asked them: “Who do people say that I am?” The disciples replied that most people thought that he was one of the prophets of old come alive. Then Jesus asked another question, one that caught his followers by surprise: “And …

Can you measure love?

March 26, 2003 by Volkhard Graf

Is there such a thing as a measuring stick or benchmark test for love? Are there clues and evidences that indicate true love? If love is true it must somehow be reflected in how parties relate to each other. To have the other persons best in mind, not just one’s own desire’s, needs and wants, …

What’s so amazing about Grace?

January 29, 2003 by Volkhard Graf

In the last few years both movies and musical versions of Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables” have been watched by millions of people. They tell the story of Jean Valjean, a French prisoner, who had been sentenced to 19 years of hard labor for the crime of stealing bread. The injustice of the sentence and …

The bottom line

June 12, 2002 by Volkhard Graf

A lawyer once asked Jesus which of all commandments was the most important one. Jesus answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’ All the other commandments …are …

Have you ever blown it?

March 31, 1999 by Volkhard Graf

When I was a child someone told me the story of a young preacher who was asked to share God’s Word with prison inmates. The preacher was inexperienced and nervous but grateful for the opportunity. Stepping onto the little platform from which he would address the prisoners, he tripped and fell. As you can imagine, …

What is God like?

August 26, 1998 by Volkhard Graf

Did you know that God has feathers? Please hear me out, before you brand me a heretic! God describes himself in many different ways, all for our benefit and understanding. Psalms 61:4 says: “He lives in a tent and lets us find shelter under his wings”. Ps. 91:4 says: “He will cover you with his …

Everybody needs friends!

March 18, 1998 by Volkhard Graf

In the Gospel of Mark we are told a story of a paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus by four friends. They had probably carried him for quite a distance only to find that they couldn’t get to the one they had hoped would help their friend. The house was overcrowded with people who …

The most important question

July 30, 1997 by Volkhard Graf

If you are like me, you probably are more interested in finding answers to your questions than asking the right questions. Life with all its little details and decisions seems to throw more questions our way than we think we can handle. But I am beginning to learn the importance of asking questions because to …