Month: November 2025

  • Advent Reflections: The Power of Hope and Love

    Advent Reflections: The Power of Hope and Love

    A favorite *story of mine that pairs well with the first Sunday of Advent is about a woman who leaves anonymous notes of encouragement throughout her city. Elizabeth, a recovering drug addict, wants to help others by spreading hope, something she once desperately searched for herself. So, she writes uplifting notes and tucks them under…

  • The Modern Distraction: A Call to Lift Our Heads This Advent

    The Modern Distraction: A Call to Lift Our Heads This Advent

    A table full of young soldiers at the food court appeared to be praying together over their noon meal. “How refreshing,” I thought. “They are giving thanks to God.” Tis the season. As I drew closer, I realized they were all staring down at their phones. It was indeed reverence, but of a different sort.…

  • Tuning into God’s Broadcast in Our Lives

    Tuning into God’s Broadcast in Our Lives

    A popular sports grill was packed one Saturday for lunch, with many of the noisy patrons watching American college football games on giant flatscreen TVs. Every television played a different game, but with the audio muted. I spotted a sign on the wall advertising an app that syncs the broadcast audio of a turned down…

  • Right Place. Right Time.

    Right Place. Right Time.

    Yesterday, at the urgent care clinic, a boy who looked to be 10-12 years old was in the waiting room sitting with his mother. I noticed he was holding a little puppy. It wasn’t a stuffed animal, but a real live miniature dog–licking his face! When it came time for the boy to go back…

  • Are You Open for Business in Your Life?

    Are You Open for Business in Your Life?

    Arise, Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) Early one morning, as the regulars arrived at a popular breakfast eatery, they were greeted by a sign hanging in the window: “Sorry, closed. Inventory day.” It’s been about five years now, and the Rise and…

  • Taste of Faith: The Essence of Christianity

    Taste of Faith: The Essence of Christianity

    This is a bit from a commercial back in the day. Can you name the item? Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun. If you answered a McDonald’s Big Mac, you’re right! Out of all the ingredients, the special sauce is what makes a Big Mac so tasty.…