Thanks

  • Experiencing God’s Presence in Unsuspecting Moments

        Today, I had an encounter with the Divine in the most unlikely of ways. Our church hosts many community parties and programs, and with them come tons of food left for us to eat. Because of the season,… Continue reading

    Experiencing God’s Presence in Unsuspecting Moments
  • A Crisis of Faith Led Me to a Deeper Understanding of God

        When I attended seminary, I had a crisis of faith. I could not understand how my way of holding on to truth could be the only way of finding favor with the Divine. One of my continuous struggles… Continue reading

    A Crisis of Faith Led Me to a Deeper Understanding of God
  • I Will Keep My Eyes on You, My God

    It is extremely easy to worry about outcomes. We panic about illness, money, relationships, and everything else that seeks to take hold of our time. As a matter of fact, my anxiety about different situations can become so large that… Continue reading

    I Will Keep My Eyes on You, My God
  • Offering Everything to God

    As we find ourselves already in the middle of the Advent season, I am constantly made aware that plans are made with the understanding that life can change our direction in a New York minute.  I never would have imagined… Continue reading

    Offering Everything to God
  • Counting My Blessings During This Season Brings Me Joy

    I remember one time when Julian, my oldest son, was sixteen. He sang in a good choir in his high school years. This program featured a very ambitious selection of time-honored works and new music. I know I must shut… Continue reading

    Counting My Blessings During This Season Brings Me Joy
  • God Can Handle Our Complaints

         One thing that I respect about the ancient Hebrew prophets is their unwavering honesty.  Many times, God addressed the people about their sin, but sometimes God heard the people’s cries and needs.  At first, one might think that this… Continue reading

  • Our Family Advent Traditions

    I don’t know what it was about last night, but I had a profound awareness of God’s presence as my family decorated our Christmas tree. As my wife hung the ornaments, she pointed out the various people and places that… Continue reading

  • New Life Comes Where We Least Expect It

    “A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse; a branch will sprout from his roots” (Is. 11:1 CEB).      The prophet Jeremiah utters a strange proclamation to the people of Israel. He boldly tells them that “A shoot… Continue reading

  • Cleaning the House for Our Guest

         During the Advent season, we take a fearless, moral inventory of ourselves and of how we relate to those around us. To truly prepare, consider specific practices like prayer, reflection, or confession that help us remove the lent of… Continue reading

  • Finding God in a Chaotic World

    “Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).      The season of Advent sounds excellent, but finding time to prepare and listen to God seems impossible. Through December, leading up to Christmas, we find ourselves bombarded by countless… Continue reading