A Day of Love

Different people making a heart figure

In the American cultural experience today is Valentine’s Day. Thought to be a celebration of a saint, if we’re honest, is just another secular holiday excuse to boost the economy of florists and candy manufacturers. It isn’t really about love. Brethren, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had…

Read More

It is up to you

One of the difficulties of leadership is when people point fingers. They should do it. They should hear this. They should offer more. Leaders rarely hear people offering themselves. In the Church it sounds like, “I hope they heard your sermon today, Father.” It’s not about them. BRETHREN, when Christ appeared as a high priest…

Read More

Who Do You Trust?

It may be a parent or best friend. It may be the wealthy business owner who ‘took you under his wing’ to teach you. It may even be your local priest. But whoever it is, there is someone close to you to advise you and to hear your deepest secrets, and you trust everything they…

Read More

Avoid the Fight

It can be so tempting to look across the room at two people arguing and think, “I can solve that.” Just then, the inevitable comes with each calling you to “Take my side. Tell him that he is wrong.” Now you’ve done it. You’ve inserted yourself into something you have to business. Timothy, my son,…

Read More

God is in Control

We hear it from friends. We read it on social media. “God is in control!” I must admit that every time I see this it almost always means, “Sit back and let God take care of it.” For others it means God will punish those who attack us or intervene for us. What does God…

Read More

How do we heal?

Like many of you, I didn’t get much sleep last night. Ever since I was a little boy, I have been excited on Election Night, almost as much as Christmas. The past few elections have caused me to think. So many friends stand on opposite sides! How do we heal from this division? The past…

Read More

All Things Under His Feet

For many years I have struggled with the idea that God is ‘in control’ as if He was playing some sort of game with humanity. “God did…God placed…God chose…” These are expressions of power, not love. God is in control, but He doesn’t play chess. God’s control is based on love. Brethren, God has put…

Read More

Live for God

There is a great book that has made it way through the Church from the business world. In his book “Start with Why” Simon Sinek leads the reader to a higher business success by focusing on ‘the why’ of the business. The focus on ‘why’ is just as effective for our spiritual life. Brethren, Christ…

Read More

Be Happy for Others

When those closest to us are successful we celebrate with them. Our love for them is poured out in banquets and honors. We tell our neighbors about the honor and success that our friends and family experience. We live through their success. We are happy for their joy. When those we do not know are…

Read More

Eternal Union

It is easy to talk about forgiveness when it doesn’t matter. Too often I hear, “Sure I forgive them. God will take get them. I don’t have to.” I’m sorry to tell you, this is not forgiveness. This is vengeance. The problem isn’t now. The problem comes later when we are eternally together. There are…

Read More