Think About It

A while back I had an exposure to COVID. It might have amounted to what the CDC considered a “close contact” exposure, but even according to those accounts, it was minor. Yet interestingly something happened with me. Since I have a pretty busy June and July I started to contemplate what might happen if I got the virus. In all honesty, I wasn’t all that worried about getting really sick, my concern was what if I couldn’t travel here or speak there? How bad do I need to feel before investigating this further? When do I test? Do I even test? After a few days of pondering (obsessing) about things I was worn out! Now, please hear me. I am not looking for medical advice – by the time this is published, the window for that contagion has long passed. My point is an awareness of what worry can do to us. I had no real reason to fear what might happen, but I still thought about it – and my thoughts weren’t healthy! Every time I coughed or if I didn’t feel 100% (which you never do at m...

I recently discussed forgiveness in a sermon. We talked about how one of the most basic acts of serving others was being willing to forgive them. The Bible is filled with examples of forgiveness as well as direct commands that we have an obligation to forgive others. In fact, Jesus was very straightforward when He said, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15). Interestingly, after the sermon, someone came up to me and asked how many people actually tell other people that they forgive them. I have to be honest with you, I had never really considered this. We talk about the need to forgive others, but just think how much more effective forgiveness could be if the other people knew they were forgiven. When we wrong someone, we tend to be embarrassed around them and that can have a negative impact on us. Yet, when we k...

Who are you missing this Memorial Day? Memorial Days are an interesting juxtaposition of emotions. On one hand, they are fun days that can be spent at the beach or cooking out. Many of us have the day off work or school and some of us use the day as a launching pad for a summer vacation. Yet, by definition, Memorial Day is a time to think about those who are gone – particularly those who sacrificed something so that we can be who we are. Maybe it was a loved one who died serving their country or a parent who established the values by which we live. It could be someone we never met or a person we couldn’t imagine having to live without until that fateful day we said “good-bye”. Whoever it was, for some reason, they changed our lives. Like I said, today is a day filled with fun and reflection. As we go though today, let’s have a good time, but let’s also take some time to remember those who have paved the way for us. In fact, let’s not just stop with remembering, let’s retell ...

Are you back to your pre-COVID Christianity? There is no doubt that the last two years have had an impact on us. For some, it could have made them more devout and active, but I would imagine that it had a negative impact on many more people. The loss of hope, a sense of helpless, a fear of sickness drove some people inside and may have driven some away from the church. Is it time to come back? The story of Christianity is one of return and restoration. Whether it is the result of sin or sickness, there is a time when we will all need to come back to a renewed relationship with God. Thankfully, our Father and His Son is always there with open arms. When Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son, He described the time of restoration in this way, “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead ...

Have you thought about what it takes to be a leader in the midst of crisis? Just about anyone is willing to lead when things are going well, but it takes a special kind of person to step up in when things are going crazy. This isn’t just the case when our own decisions created problems, crisis leadership is especially necessary when the crisis (or crises) aren’t of our own doing. I bring this up because we are living in a world in crisis. We are not in the best of times – not even close. Yet, that doesn’t mean that we can sit back and fuss about how bad things are. Some of us have to step up and be leaders! As I thought about this, I remembered something the Apostle Paul wrote as he reflected on his life, “… one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14). Now, I realize that Paul’s words relate directly to his own personal struggles,...

Today is my dad’s birthday. As I thought about this day, several things came to mind, but one of the most obvious is the influence he has had on me. Some people say that we physically resemble each other and if you listen real carefully, you will probably hear his words come out of my mouth. I was named after him (and my grandfather). Yet, the most notable influence may be in our careers. I have been a minister, police officer and am very invested in trauma and crisis management. Interestingly, his careers parallel mine (or more accurately, mine parallel his). I don’t think that I consciously set out to follow his lead, but after six decades the similarities are eerie. Have you thought about those who have influenced you? More importantly, have you stopped to thank those who influenced you? Eventually, we all have to make decisions based on our own rationale, but it would be the epitome of arrogance to say that we are self-made people. Do you need to thank someone for where yo...

One of the problems with the world’s view of Christianity is that they tend to see it as a mere snapshot of modern time. They see it within the context of a 21st Century world filled with issues and strife. Yet, godly religion in general and Christianity in particular has been a part of the world’s history. Not only can we see the way Christianity influences the world today, but we can also look back to its beginning over two millennia ago. Yet, even before that, we see God’s hand in leading people to Him. Shortly after mankind first sinned God prophesied there would be a Deliverer who would come and save His people. In condemning the act of the serpent (satan), “The Lord God said to the serpent, ‘Because you have done this, cursed are you more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life; and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you o...