Sometimes, what we want to avoid, can produce fruit we always wanted. The past week was a time of recovery for me following some unexpected dental surgery. What I hoped was a simple extraction came with a little more work and pain than I expected, but thankfully, I am in the final stages of the healing process. While my experiences with dental work were always […]
Ash Wednesday is fast approaching and with it, the beginning of Lent. As the first signs of spring make their appearance, we give our attention to a season of reflection and repentance. But why do we give six-and-a-half weeks to such somber reflection, put ashes on our foreheads, and take on special Lenten disciplines? There are many things that we would enjoy more, and if […]
I love snow. I look forward to it every year, and as I mentioned in a previous post, my family celebrates the first day of snow as a very special day. Not everyone shares our opinion. In fact, every time one of us expresses our love of snow, some of our friends make a point of reminding us of the dangers and challenges snow […]
Some memories are dangerous. Some are dangerous to remember and others are dangerous to forget. Last night, I happened to meet a colleague while we were out with our daughter. In the midst of our conversation, he reminded me of a memory from my life that was dangerously close to being forgotten. He said, “I remember a few years ago, when you were sick over […]
What happened to civility? I know we are overburdened and rushed for time. I understand that we are working to make ends meet and worried about the current economic forecast. I recognize that we have opinions and passions, but when did it become acceptable to subjugate the way we respect and treat others in order to make ourselves and our agenda the only thing that matters. […]
Have you ever had a day that simply did not go in the direction you expected? We all have, and sometimes it can feel like the world is actually working against you. Typically, those feelings come from our disappointment and frustration, but occasionally, we really are on the receiving end of the world’s animosity, or experiencing the results of sin in the world. It is […]
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion[b] like a young wild ox. […]
Have you ever come face to face with a truth about yourself that wasn’t pretty? Moments like these are never particularly enjoyable, but many times they can be very valuable times. Yesterday, while shopping at a local store, I had the opportunity to visit with a couple of friends. We were busy sharing laughs and a few stories, when one of my friends asked the […]
Have you ever noticed how easily some things go unnoticed? All too often we grow comfortable with what we know and what we see. Before long, we are blinded to things that are amazingly visible to others. Without an awakening or some intervention that causes us to look afresh at our lives and our environment we remain unaware. In one way, this is a gift. […]
Jesus said, “In this life you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He shared this truth in the middle of a discussion on the challenges that lie ahead for the disciples and all who would be faithful to the Gospel, for there were persecutions, oppositions and obstacles yet to come. Jesus wanted His followers to understand that no […]