The Remote Connection
They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Colossians 2:19) Life during this pandemic has been difficult and compromising, to say the very least. Even now, with some of the original restrictions lifted, I still work remotely a fair amount of the time. My family still experiences church only online, since right now our kids are too young to get vaccinated. I am glad to still have the option of working remotely, but it has its challenges. The comforts and relaxing...
Read MoreThe Right Mindset
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5 NIV) I struggle a lot with mental conflict. It is not at all uncommon for me to agonize over something or get worked up for seemingly no reason at all. Most often this is the result of approaching something with the wrong state of mind. While I can usually keep outbursts to a minimum, the anguish or frustration I feel is nonetheless counterproductive and disturbing to anyone who may be around...
Read MoreRolling with the Changes
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2 NIV) To put it mildly, the last year plus has been unlike any other time I have lived through. Changes have been abundant in the routines at home and work that shape the way I operate. And like most everyone else, many familiar surroundings have given way to isolation in wake of the COVID pandemic, often challenging my ability to stay focused and maintain a positive outlook. When Thea was born almost a year ago(!), time to myself became virtually a thing of the past. Outside of work, my...
Read MoreLike the Mind of a Child
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Mark 10:15 NIV) As a kid, I often enjoyed watching Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. I have gotten a chance to revisit it now that my son is beginning to develop the simplest understanding of some basic things (and most likely spending more time watching a screen than he should). Just as I was, Isaac is fascinated by the speedy deliveries, field trips and movies on Picture Picture that look at plants and animals more closely or show how things are made. He loves letting our imaginations run...
Read MoreFinding Freedom in Life’s Compromises
We are currently living under difficult circumstances. In the effort to control COVID-19, we are forced to do almost everything from home, where many of us can easily feel like prisoners. With limited time outdoors, interaction with friends only through a screen or telephone, and down or alone time little to nonexistent, it can seem like most if not all our freedom has been taken away. But this is more of a perception than reality. Yes, distance and isolation are currently necessary to minimize the risk of ourselves or others getting sick, but it is not forbidden to enjoy fresh air and...
Read MoreThe Persistence of Memory
I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. (Psalm 45:17 NIV) I was at the Factoria Mall last weekend, where several businesses have vacated the premises in the last year. I could not help but marvel to myself how different and somewhat deserted the mall seems to have become, a distant atmosphere from the memory of good times and enjoyment. Gone is Goldberg’s Famous Delicatessen, with its wonderful menu and regularly occurring large family dinners. There is no more Regis Salon, where I would have my hair cut by a close...
Read MoreEmbracing a Different Nature
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT) As I have been praying over our church and the Biblical Conversation Café series we have initiated to discuss controversial issues, I have been reflecting on some memories of friends and past acquaintances and the topic of same-sex relationships. Ever since college, I have known a number of people who identified themselves with the LGBTQ+ community, some of whom are good friends. I feel called to share what is on my heart about this issue and how we...
Read MoreWith Responsibility Comes Privilege
(This post was first published in 2013.) When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (Luke 9:1-2 NIV) Nicole and I were ecstatic when the opportunity arose for us to get a dog this Christmas. We had wanted one for a long time, especially after one of our cats died last year. Holly, our new Scottish terrier, is an intelligent, energetic, most welcome addition to our household. But along with all the affection and adorable playfulness came...
Read MoreTrusting in the Invisible
For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25 NIV) When Nicole and I were struggling with infertility, the passage of the Bible that I kept coming back to was Romans 8:24-26. The promise of hope, that God will bring about the desires of our hearts that we cannot physically see or grasp, allowed me to keep praying and stay positive in the midst of the difficult worldly truth that we could not physically have children without medical intervention....
Read MoreOne Step Back, Several Steps Forward
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. (2 Peter 1:12 NIV) Groups and businesses frequently conduct evaluations of their status and develop plans for needed improvement, especially at the end of a year. If you are a Mariners fan, you probably know by now that the team has decided to “rebuild” for next season and beyond. Despite a winning season in 2018, the Mariners narrowly missed the playoffs again and have now gone longer without a playoff appearance than any other professional sports team. General...
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