Spiritual Presents

There is a time when good-hearted, mature, responsible people need to clearly say, “It’s NOT OK!”  There is a time when “adults in the room” need to stand-up and say enough is enough.  There is a time when caring people need to lovingly and firmly say to everybody that what is taking place in the world is definitely NOT OK! It is NOT OK that so-called leaders around the world continue to choose violent solutions.  It is NOT OK that wars, grounded in greed, continue to rage.  It is NOT OK that countless children and innocent people have their lives permanently altered, destroyed, or ended.  It is NOT OK that deceiving charlatans and “spin” masters constantly muddle the truth.  Anything for ratings and clicks!  It is NOT OK that many are trapped thinking it is weakness to admit that you are wrong or say that you are sorry.  It is NOT OK that many politicians continue to spread hate and fear (and subject us to some really bad commercials).  It...

  My dad was the smartest man in the entire world.  He knew how to answer all of my most difficult questions.  Whenever I asked him challenging questions in life he would wisely respond, "Go ask your mother!" Nothing is quite as wonderful, nurturing, and important as a good mom.  Moms are amazing!  Moms sing us to sleep and cuddle us as babies.  They fix boo-boos and read stories when we are toddlers.  Moms correct and challenge us as teenagers.  They encourage us and pass on wisdom as we age.  Moms are not perfect, but can know more than most the importance of sacrificial love. There was no greater example of motherhood than Jesus' mother, Mary.  She understood that her relationship with her children (especially Jesus) was grounded in her love for God.  She was not perfect, but she knew what all good parents do.  If we want to be a great parent and have a special relationship with our children, then we need to first live o...

  One of the most powerful forms of communication is the language of touch.  In many ways, we learn about the world through touch.  A baby’s tiny digits cup the loving finger of a parent while feeding.  A feathery tickle produces smiles and giggles of joy.  Eskimo and butterfly kisses end the day and start a restful sleep.  Many learn how much we are loved through touch.  Sadly touch can also be used in very harmful and inappropriate ways as well.  We must be extremely wise and cautious when speaking the language of touch.  Hugs are particularly powerful tools of communication.  They express many feelings.  A friendly side hug assures a person they are highly valued.  The back-slapping bro hug conveys great respect.  A big warm bear hug shows sincere care.  Have you ever… Cried in someone’s arms?  Fallen asleep to the rhythm of another’s heartbeat?  Squeezed someone so tight because you did not want them to ...

  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the heartbeat of the Christian faith.   “Alleluia!  Christ is Risen,” has been the message from the beginning upon which the Christian way grew.  It is the Gospel, the Good News.  Christians shout this out every Easter with great joy!  Do we live as though it is true?  Do we live as though it actually happened?  Do we understand the profound spiritual gifts Christ’s resurrection offers each of us and the whole world now? And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.  More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.  (1 Corinthians 15: 14-15, NIV) People often argue about Jesus.  Was he God in the flesh or just a great teacher?  Perhaps he was a liar or even a looney?  Throughout the centuries folks have wondered if he faked his death, or that somehow ...

  Wars are never good.  There is rarely a just war.  War is the result of failure.  Failure to compromise.  Failure to communicate.  Failure of leadership.  Wars are the result of our broken humanity.  They are rooted in projection, greed, and pride.  People are deceived by lies and half-truths. Whole populations can be falsely demonized.  Further, the results of war are always damaging.  Scars of pain and suffering are formed that will last for generations.   Wars rarely solve anything and almost always set the stage for… the next war.   This is not to say that God is still not hard at work during times of war.  God continually reaches out to all who will stop and listen.  Grace-filled moments can happen during war.  Amazing incidents of courage take place.  Incredible acts of kindness occur.  Deeper understanding of other people by many does develop.  Some individuals find and are found...

  The Bible is a window to the living God.  Each book, chapter and passage can be thought of as a beautiful stained glass illumination of the divine/ human relationship. The Bible is not God.  It is a lens through which to engage God.  The Holy Spirit inspires every letter that is written and read.  Yet each word is penned by a human hand.  God is alive in the text.  However, the moment we reduce God to words we are limiting the limitless.  Both of these realities can be true at the same time.  It takes inspired wisdom to rejoice in how the Holy Spirit teaches us through the beautiful windows of the Bible. God is always reaching out in love to us first.  The Bible was written, edited, expanded, and redacted by many different people over many centuries.  Thus, it is open to human misunderstanding and even error.  However, knowing this should not lead us to dismiss or discount what is written in Holy Scripture.  On the contr...