We are about to elect a new president, while such elections are usually somewhat difficult and stressful, this election cycle seems to be particularly stressful, even more so for those of faith. I have had several people ask me what to do in this election in which both of the major candidates seem to them... Continue Reading →
Spend the Time
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments oh dear Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes How do you measure, measure a year? In daylights, in sunsets In midnights, in cups of coffee In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes How... Continue Reading →
Healing Touch
Physical touch is important to our lives, we were created to touch and be touched. In times of grief, we console loved ones with a hug, a kiss, or simply by holding hands. In times of illness, we soothe with a kiss on the forehead, or holding hands. In times of stress, we relax with... Continue Reading →
Gifts
There are very few things in human civilization that are as universal as gift giving, almost every culture values gift giving and uses gifts to express a variety of meanings. Gifts are used to express regret and remorse, to express joy, festivity, and celebration, and perhaps most importantly a loving bond between two people. For... Continue Reading →
Lesser of Two Evils
"Of two evils, choose neither." Charles Spurgeon In this year’s U.S. presidential election there is a first, the candidates put forward by the two major political parties have disapproval ratings above 50%. No matter which of these candidates gets elected over half of the country will be dissatisfied, AMAZING! Disapproval ratings means the people who... Continue Reading →
Loving Service
In John 13 Jesus is approaching the end of his ministry and is giving his disciples his final instructions. Jesus begins this final set of instructions with a very physical and very humbling illustration, he takes off his “good clothes” and wraps himself with a towel to perform the work often delegated to a very... Continue Reading →
Prepare to die!
So many are familiar with the classic film The Princess Bride; a wonderfully romantic film, and a perfect choice to watch on St. Valentine’s day. Among the more memorable scenes in the film is the climactic scene between Inigo Montoya and the six-fingered man (Count Rugen). Inigo as he is fighting with the count repeats... Continue Reading →
It is Well?
Many are familiar with Horatio Spafford’s life and the story behind his wonderful hymn “It is Well with My Soul” (for a brief history see here). The song was written in response to the news that his four daughters had drown on their way to England. I cannot imagine penning the words, “When peace, like... Continue Reading →
Learning to Push Through
Over the course of the fall our neighbors have begun clearing off the hillside which separates our houses. What was once a thicket full of dense underbrush has become a neat little grove of trees. I have begun to take my daughter for little walks up the hillside to look at the trees and little... Continue Reading →
God with us
We all want God to simply part the clouds and look down on us, or to verbally communicate with us, unmediated. But, that cannot be, God is far too great, and we are far too insignificant. I am not sure what encountering God’s unmediated presence (I want to use terms like “real” and “physical” but... Continue Reading →
Squinting in the Light 