I'm thankful each day. Some of the time. When I'm not tired, hungry, or complaining about something else. I yearn to define myself as an optimist, a positive individual. Instead, I seem to have a natural talent for finding what's wrong with things. Or what might go wrong. Despite my…
I made a huge purchase decision this weekend. In the dark. I couldn't see the car I committed to drive for the next three years. Assuming I knew what I would receive, I signed the contract and drove home. When the light dawned on my mistake the next day, I felt…
Father's Day encourages us to celebrate the men who raise children in our world. For those who've lost or never experienced a nurturing dad, the holiday can prove bittersweet or even bitter. Some fathers face this day with grief, as they've lost children to death or estrangement. Those without the…
Rub a dub dub, thanks for the grub. Yay, God. Thanks for the bread. Thanks for the meat. Thanks for the taters. Good God, let's eat. Maybe your Thanksgiving meal will begin with a more eloquent blessing. Well-spoken or simple, the attitude of our hearts matters far more than the words…
Fortunate folks huddle into homes gleaming with smiles. Fall decor gilds each room, while spiced scents draw them to a massive banquet of joy. Hugs lead family and guests to fill the seats around a table brimming with all manner of sweets and starches. A plump turkey gleams at the…
Delight can prove most challenging when we feel stalled. Others seem to be shining in spotlights and joy, while we seem doomed to linger in the shadows. Despite our hopes of fulfillment, we're stuck in the wings watching others beam with happiness. We seem to churn our days in the…
Sacrifice. Surrender. The spiritual disciplines urge us to give up things we might prefer to retain. The term "discipline" itself carries a grim reputation. Those who observe the season of Lent often wrap these pre-Easter weeks in terms of self-deprivation. We must resist all things delicious, luxurious, or fun so we…
Am I alone in my hunger for grace, or could you use a bit more, too? Tightrope walkers, slave rescuers, and martyrs amaze me. The trained and heroic few demonstrate courageous serenity under inconceivable pressure. Such strength seems reserved for an elite class. Could the awesome gifts of grace remain beyond…
As crises and horrors abound in today's news reports, tensions have escalated to record highs. The world trends are barreling past stress toward hysteria, and we must choose whether to join the craziness or become part of the solution. We can stand against the tide by adopting grace as our modus…
Have you seen today's date? Gasp! Veteran's Day flew by over the weekend. Some of us paused to remember our heroes. Took a day off. Worked retail. Whatever happened, somehow we woke up this morning to find ourselves waist-deep in November. And you know what this means, right? (Slaps cheeks and…