Spiritual Presents

  Is there someone you need to forgive in life?  Is there someone who needs your encouragement?  Maybe you need to feel the gifts of forgiveness and encouragement.  When asked how to pray, Jesus reminds us of the central importance of forgiveness. He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11: 2-4 NIV) Saint Barnabas was an inspiring early apostle whose feast day is celebrated on June 11th.  Upon learning about Jesus, he responded with excitement and great devotion.  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36, 37 NIV)   He also took Christ’s teaching to forgive others seriously.  After Saul’s conversion to become Paul, Barnabas was one of the

The first team I was proud to be a part of was my second grade soccer team.  I liked my fellow teammates.  It was fun playing the game with them.  The coach was passionate about the sport, an excellent teacher, and he obviously cared about us.  I had a clear role on the team as a goalie.  It was truly fulfilling.  We won the league championship and I got my first trophy.  Our parents gleefully cheered for us as we received them.  There is something wonderful about being a part of a special team.   There are common characteristics that special teams or great organizations possess.  First, the mission of the group is clear, worthwhile, and benefits others.  Second, good teams and organizations have tremendous leadership.  The leaders are passionate about what they do, can teach/ communicate well, and care about each individual in the group.  Third, the group is made-up of people with high integrity.  They work hard, go the extra mile, communicate well, and care about each other.  Lastl

  I know what I know, and that’s all that I know, You know?  I am what I am, and that’s all that I am, I am pretty sure.  There is nothing wrong with saying, “I don’t know.”  It can actually be quite liberating.  Moreover, it is not a crime against humanity to change your mind or have your thoughts and opinions evolve over time.  That is actually a sign of intelligence, not of being a flip flopper.  We are all constantly growing, being and becoming.  Having an open mind and a good healthy sense of humility helps each of us age well, like a fine wine.  We are unique gifts with so many possibilities.  We are each a treasure, and God desires that we become wiser and richer in love everyday.   At the same time, we are never perfect.  We each need constant refinement.  The great deceptive trap that we all fall into is the pit of pride.  Now, pride can be a positive gift (See SP on Pride).  However, here I use pride in the negative sense.  The kind of blinded self-serving pride that leads

  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 he was revived before he died.  However, all of these theories f

  Maybe you are like me?  I like spontaneity, but only when I am in charge.  I enjoy doing yard work, but I hate having to do yard work.  I like driving, except when other people get in my way.  Everyday would be perfect, but sadly unforeseen events keep interrupting.  I just can't understand why everybody does not agree with all of my well thought out opinions.  I wish my pets would take care of themselves.  I wish others would do my laundry.  I wish I had more time for what I want to do.  I would find more time for God, if I could…  Life happens.  Life is crazy!  What is your anchor in life?  What is most important to you? Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35 NIV) The gospels point out numerous times that Jesus highly valued his prayer life.  In fact he valued it so much that he would go out of his way to make it happen.  At the start of his healing ministry, Jesus woke-up be

As the years go by, we become more aware of the reality of death.  Some people are more compelled by circumstances to face it than others.  As a former hospice chaplain I would hasten to argue that no one gets really comfortable dealing with death.  Moreover, not many of us particularly enjoy contemplating our own death.  Death is always sad, often painful, and difficult to process. “For dust you are, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19d NIV) One holy day that confronts us concerning death is Ash Wednesday.  Many christians dread this day.  It marks the beginning of the 40 day lenten observance.  Lent is not a season filled with fun and excitement.  Rather, it is a time of self-examination through prayer, reflection and discipline.  It is designed to prepare us for Holy Week and the joys of Easter.  It calls us to examine our fate if left to our own devices. During the Ash Wednesday service a cross of ashes is traced on our foreheads.  As this is done, the worship leader looks