1973 did not end well. The vice president had resigned and the long Watergate saga that would topple the president dragged on, dragging the entire nation down with it. War in the Middle East had led to the Arab Oil embargo, a cold winter and lines winding around the block at the local gas station. The cost of living was up by nearly 9%, and the appearance of a comet named Kohoutek was a portent to some of disaster to come. Continue reading →

Becky and I are in Boston to celebrate this Thanksgiving Day with Christopher, Katie, Caleb, Esther, and Gideon. Among the many things for which we are thankful to our gracious God this Thanksgiving Day is our LPC family.  As you consider the many blessings of God this day, ponder these words from a different and difficult harvest season in 1863,  

Indeed, this Thanksgiving may we continue to commend to God’s “tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers” in our sorrowed-filled time.  Continue reading →

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. – Psalm 9:1

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yes, of course, Easter and Christmas are more important. But Thanksgiving is my favorite. I love the time of year, the colors and crisp air. I love the day with its food and maybe some football. But most of all, I love Thanksgiving as a time to be with family. This year Becky and I will be with the Boston branch of our family, and that means Caleb, Esther, and Gideon time – time with Lena and Ada one month later! Their parents may be around, too.

Psalm 9 is a Psalm of David, so I join with David in giving thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. When we’re back from Boston, I will not only recount his wonderful deeds, I will have photos to show. Continue reading →

It’s a wonderful life in a big world. At first it seems a little overwhelming, but when you get used to it, you’ll never go back to a small world.

The wonder of the big world is what makes the headline so sad. Religious ‘nones’ are not only growing, they’re becoming more secular, says a new report from Pew Research. Could it be that the growing population of “nones” is the growing population of those frightened by the awesome and sometime frightening enormity of our world? I think so.

Another recent study is typical of the research that shows that people of active faith are more likely to volunteer and give for the good of others than those without faith. Continue reading →

Favela da Ventosa, Jardim America, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Money. I like money. I like what money allows me to do. But can I like money without loving money, the love of which, according the Apostle Paul, is a root of all kinds of evil?

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

I think I’m okay. I don’t love money, I don’t crave money, I just like money. And I delude myself.

Jesus says that money has designs on us, seeks to be our master (Matthew 6:24). I am foolish to think that I am able to “just be friends” with this tyrant. Continue reading →