praise be to 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
  • Like the Ancients, We Seek Out the Presence of the Messiah

    This time of year can become incredibly routine as we begin another year in the church calendar. The season of Advent anticipates the Savior’s coming into the world. Hasn’t he come already? We did read about this happening in the… Continue reading

    Like the Ancients, We Seek Out the Presence of the Messiah
  • The Things Our Children Teach Us!

    As I reflect on my stinky boy’s journey through the extended hospital stays and the enormous amounts of time traveling back and forth to and from our home, I remember the one thing that seemed to be missing. It was… Continue reading

    The Things Our Children Teach Us!
  • 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

  • Actions Speak Louder Than Words

         As I write each day during the Advent season, I realize something about myself. I often suffer from imposter syndrome. Yes, the words that I type possess truth, but putting them into action is another story. The truth is,… 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

  • A Light in the Middle of Our Darkness

    “We saw his star in the east[a] and have come to worship him” (Matt. 2:2b CEB).      Sometimes, I watch a New Mexico sundown and feel transfixed by the fantastic colors. One of my favorite moments is watching as the… Continue reading