Month: November 2020

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed are those who trust in God!(Psalm 34:8) As the days grow shorter and the pandemic continues longer, I find myself thinking about the times, people, and places that brought me immense joy. Their portraits are a little dusty in the hallways of my mind but […]

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NRSV) A survey released earlier this week stated that 61% of families changed their Thanksgiving plans due to COVID-19 spikes. My family is one of them. The night before my parents […]

“Do not judge so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” (Matthew 7:1-2) Extra Grace Required. Maybe you’re struggling with a family member who criticizes you unfairly or expects too much of you… or a friend who […]

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. (Philippians 1:3-5, NRSV) The Thanksgiving holiday is two days from now. My celebration—and perhaps yours, too—will be very different […]

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16) While living up north, away from our Naples home, my mind often travels to our beautiful labyrinth at Naples UCC. It’s circular pattern rests […]

Jesus said to [Martha], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’ (John 11:25-26a, NRSV) I mentioned in a previous Going the Distance that I do not watch a lot of television. At least […]

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. (Luke 6:37) Bury the hatchet. Let bygones be bygones. Kiss and make up. I have come to realize that we have so many ways of describing […]

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31, NRSV) A car […]