Spiritual Presents

Every afternoon on the fourth Thursday in November I find myself in the same place.  I sit in my lazy-boy chair at home filled with turkey and stuffing, watching football.  As I doze off into a deep sleep I wonder, "Is this what it means to be thankful?" Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.. (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 NIV) Giving thanks is one of the most important disciplines for our spiritual growth.  However, thankfulness is not just about saying thank you when good things come our way.  It is also not about avoiding unpleasantness or realizing that there is someone out there who has it worse.  Giving thanks is not just learning how to put on a happy face.  Thanksgiving is an avenue to learn more about what is truly important in life.  It is a way of living rather than a state of being.   I try to start my prayers every evening with at least five thanksgiv...

  It is interesting to watch how people drive.  What goes through our minds as we motor along?  Many things definitely impact our driving habits.  Our hopeful destinations influence how we move from place to place.  Are we out to buy urgent supplies or are we enjoying a random adventure?  Our journeys are also shaped by how we view other drivers.  Do we see them as fellow seekers or as competitors getting in our way?  Our perception of time affects us as well.  Do we have the need for speed or is getting somewhere safely of paramount importance?  Finally, our knowledge, familiarity, and comfort with each path is essential.  Have we been down this road before? Knowledge and awareness in life are crucial. Do politicians stay focused on integrity and serving people, or are they motivated by looking good, winning arguments, and getting re-elected?  Do church leaders center their activities on sharing the good news and discerning ...

  Everyone wants to be someone else at least sometimes.  Halloween is a great time when we can dress up, act like someone else, and hide behind make-up or a mask.  Possibly we want to impress someone with a fancy costume?  Perhaps we want to scare the socks off of someone we owe?  Maybe we want to express a part of our personality that we otherwise like to keep hidden?  Armchair psychologists apply here please:) All hallows eve precedes all hallows day, or all saints day.  Sadly our culture focuses too much on the fun celebration of Halloween.  We tend to neglect the important  aspect of remembering the great saints who have gone before.  Don’t get me wrong, Halloween is a blast. In fact I would guess that many of the saints are thrilled that we enjoy ourselves every October 31st.  It is sad not because we have fun, but because we may miss many great lessons that the saints can teach us.  There is little honest reflection on wh...