Today is Veteran's Day, a time when we pause to reflect on the military service of so many within our nation's history. I confess I struggle with this holiday at times. My struggles began a decade ago when I was asked to pray during a Memorial Day service. My prayer followed music which talked of... Continue Reading →
Pro-Life Values and a Pro-Choice President
In the interest of full disclosure: I did not support Mr. Biden in the election in any way. I also specifically refrained from posting this until after the election, lest I be accused of trying to influence the election or support a candidate. For the last four years while Donald Trump has been president, I... Continue Reading →
What We Need is a New Approach
The election is over (I’m writing this before that statement is true but what I am saying does not depend on the outcome) and the one thing we must remember is that God is truly just, and it is God’s work which is perfect. That means if you are despairing over the results, remember God... Continue Reading →
Life is Hard
"Life is hard." How many times have you heard that or a similar phrase used. And it is true; at many points in our lives are marked by struggle and difficulty-- that's inevitable. We are all going to struggle with loss and grief, worry and anxiety, weakness, failure, fatigue- mental and physical, and a whole... Continue Reading →
The Pieces Need to Fit Together
One of the great issues I see with modern society is that our lives are compartmentalized. We are not whole people we divide our lives based on our commitments. At work a person is expected to be an employee with total allegiance to the company. In social settings a person can be a Republican or... Continue Reading →
Why am I voting?
Four years ago I wrote a post about the need to be ethical in our voting (here). In that 2016 election I had friends who voted for the Republican, Democrat, Libertarian & Green candidates I also had friends who wrote in names and abstained from voting altogether. And I mean friends, individuals I talk with... Continue Reading →
Beyond Racial Gridlock
Over the last several months I have been saddened by how the church has approached the topic of racism. Not simply because some communities have chosen not to engage in the dialogue, but also because many of the churches which have entered the dialogue have only used secular resources. In fact, the first resource presented... Continue Reading →
The Harvest is Plentiful and What that Means
Fall is a wonderful time to live in a rural community (I think it is always wonderful but especially fall). I am surrounded by the bounty of creation, from my backyard garden to the largest farms everyone is preparing for the harvest. I see the abundance of food around me and cannot help considering how... Continue Reading →
The Quest for Purpose
Jordan Peterson, professor of psychology at the University of Toronto, has become a popular writer and speaker, helping many people find purpose in their lives. I recently heard him talk about "the meaning of life"; it would be difficult for me to recreate the entire discussion, but I found one point interesting. He talked about... Continue Reading →
Why are we making a big deal of going to Church?
John MacArthur has been in the news recently because he has defied California's government and begun holding regular Sunday services. I have read some about his decision, his denial there is a pandemic, and his very public legal battle. I understand the struggles churches are facing as they deal with returning to normal worship routines.... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 