In February, when traveling in Israel, I visited the northern most part of the country, a rural region that lies at the foot of Mt. Hermon, a snow-capped peak. The headwaters of the Jordan River bubble up from the ground… Continue reading

I knew an older man I’ll call Stan.  God brought him into my life at a time when I was wrestling with myself, my call, and some difficult inner questions. He had lived a simple life in terms of earthly… Continue reading

I sat with a friend yesterday who is dying. She was weak, hardly able to speak. We shared Communion, prayed, and talked about hope even with tears. Then, while I drove home the news came that wreckage of the missing… Continue reading

Over lunch yesterday a friend of 40 years and I just talked – about kids, church, politics, and life. Our time is not just enjoyable, it provides me with insight and balance in my life.  In another exchange, a friend… Continue reading

Antony Blinken, the United States Secretary of State, is in China meeting with leaders of that nation. His is a diplomatic mission in which he speaks as an authorized representative of the United States. This weekend his primary charge was… Continue reading

“Compared to him, I feel worthless.”  “She is so beautiful, I’m ugly.”  “If only I had his opportunities in life, I know I would do better.”  And so it goes for those who look around and compare themselves or their… Continue reading

I watched a documentary about a well-known celebrity, actor, politician in which the word “I” was prominent. The person proudly declared how hearing a thousand people chanting his name was his dream from childhood. He was born in an off… Continue reading

Have you experienced the joy of being blessed by another? Probably you did not refer to that way, but if you received a word of thanks or praises or affirmation, you were ‘blessed.’ The word simply means to be ‘favored.’ … Continue reading

The smoke from a wildfire in Canada blanketed a third of the United States yesterday.  It was thick at my home, making my eyes water and apparently alarming many who called 9-1-1 to report a fire. Looking at my own… Continue reading

I drove past the house for many years and somehow became aware of the life changes that were going on there over time. At first there were two people sitting out front or walking their dogs. An RV was parked… Continue reading