You are Not Alone in Your Fears

You are Not Alone in Your Fears

“The holidays…” now there is a term that evokes a certain amount of stress and strain. As we were all decking the halls with “FA, LA, LA,” anxiety and fear were running rampant in our homes and offices. And we are starting the new year with palpable tension. A case in...
Stooping at the Door

Stooping at the Door

On my last trip to Israel, our group was able to visit the West Bank area.  We were allowed to visit the cathedral outside Bethlehem that marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus. I am told that Church of the Nativity is the oldest complete Catholic church in the...
Listen with Your Eyes

Listen with Your Eyes

In general, most of us are poor listeners.  Here’s a good story to prove my point. It seems that Franklin Roosevelt didn’t really enjoy long receiving lines. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was being said. So, one day, he decided to...
Good Gifts

Good Gifts

When I was in the second or third grade, I got an unusual haul from Santa Claus. Before I indicate the actual gifts, I probably ought to tell a quick story. As a kid, I loved to work with my dad’s tools. I frequently would “borrow” them and then leave them scattered...
Luther’s Christmas Tree

Luther’s Christmas Tree

I love Christmas stories that give us insight into real people. One of my spiritual heroes is Martin Luther and a cool anecdote surrounds his family’s Christmas tree. It seems that Luther was in route home after a worship service in his hometown of Wittenberg. As he...
Laughter is a Gift from God

Laughter is a Gift from God

I believe that Jesus loved to laugh. I think that as He and His disciples sat around a campfire at night, they rehearsed some of the silly things of the day. When someone remembered the squabble James and John had that day, everyone would laugh, including Jesus. When...