Month: January 2026

My eyesight is not the best.  I wear contacts or glasses so I can function.  Without them, everything is blurry.  But as soon as I either put my contacts in or put my glasses on, things clear up.  They become more defined.  

For me, needing my glasses to read is obvious.  I cannot see the letters on the page, or if there are any.  I cannot read a book or a medicine bottle, my phone, or the computer screen, or really anything else.  With my glasses, I am able to see.  But seeing far off is a different story.  Many people who don’t know they need glasses are amazed at how much clearer the world can be once they put them on.  They didn’t know they were missing objects and events around them.  They didn’t realize how skewed their vision was until they had something to improve how they saw the world.

Maybe following Jesus is finding our spiritual glasses.  Having him as our guide helps us to see the world a bit differently.  Jesus talked to the leaders of his culture and called them blind and said the blind could actually see.  It had to confuse them.  But Jesus was speaking of something much deeper.  He was speaking of a spiritual vision.  

When we follow Jesus, truly seek to be like him, we begin to see the world slightly different.  We begin to see people, not as others but as brothers or sisters.  We begin to see the table as a place to commune rather than simply a place to lay our mail.  We begin to see kindness as a way to be the light rather than a chore should do.  We begin to see how love, God’s love, really can change things.  We begin to see God’s creation not as something expendable but beauty we are to care and tend.   We begin to see everything a bit differently.  Our spiritual glasses begin to clear up so many blurry visions.  We might even begin to see how God is still at work in our world, despite what the news may tell us.  

Maybe we begin to follow Jesus so he clears our way.  Maybe we see through spiritual glasses the great need for the love of Jesus and the craving for the joy, hope, peace and grace that comes only through him.  Maybe, just maybe, we begin to view the world through his lens, and that might just change us.

One of my goals is to pay attention to the small things in life.  I want to notice the beauty I would normally overlook.  I want to see the extraordinary among the ordinary.  That’s why I began this blog many years ago.  It’s why I continue to write.  It forces me to slow down enough to focus – not my easiest task.  

Today I was running on a trail which had a storybook path.  I always think this is a cool idea.  I didn’t read the story but there was one page which just jumped out at me.  I couldn’t help but notice and it really sparked something.  The page read something like… “Kindness is my superpower.”  

Usually when I think of superpowers, I think of extraordinary feats which require bravery and courage.  I think of people who do things which most others can’t.  I think of superheroes I read about as a child and watched on cartoons.  I think of people doing things I can’t.  But this… this struck a chord with me.

Kindness is something we can all offer.  This can be OUR superpower too.  It can be how we are extraordinary and help to change someone else’s day.  We can become the change we want to see.  We can become superheroes simply by being kind.  Don’t believe me?  Try it.  

Because our world is filled with anything but kindness, kind people stand out.  They bring the new and refreshing.  They instigate community.  And they spark kindness in others.  Maybe you and I can make this our superpower today.

Colossians 3 ¹² As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Troubled hearts – ever have them?  Do you ever find yourself just consumed with issues or troubles or life problems?  Our mind can become overloaded and it affects our heart.  When we are continually worried, our hearts take a beating (see what I did there?).  It can be difficult to trust.  It can be almost impossible to love.  It can feel hopeless.  Our hearts can be troubled with so many things.  

It can easily happen.  Sometimes it comes on without us even noticing.  And then, we take a moment and realize all is not well.  Something isn’t right.  Our hearts are troubled by the things which have occupied our minds.  We are not the first to deal with this.  Jesus is preparing his disciples for a time when he wouldn’t be physically with them any longer.  For the disciples, Jesus was everything.  They had given up their entire lives to follow.  Their daily schedules revolved around his daily schedule.  They ate with him and spent time with him nearly every moment.  What would they do when he wasn’t there?  And how could this be fair?  And who wanted this anyway?

Jesus tells them not once, but twice recorded in the same conversation – “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”  He saw it in them.  He felt it from them.  They were filled with fear and the ideas Jesus was presenting caused anxiety, all leading to troubled hearts.  But Jesus tells them they do need to fear.  They do not need to have troubled hearts.  He says this because he understands how they feel, but they don’t understand who he is.  They didn’t fully understand God was with them and would always be with them.  They didn’t get how God would provide a path for peace.  They didn’t see how God didn’t need to be physically with them, he would be with them in so many other ways.  They didn’t fully comprehend how the Creator of the universe was taking care of them.

Neither do we.  When our hearts are troubled, we tend to forget who fills our hearts.  When we are afraid, we can easily look for safety in places other than with God.  It happens.  So here’s your reminder…Jesus said it – Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Instead, may he fill your hearts with his presence and his love – where there will no room for today’s troubles.

You make a difference.  What you say and do matters.  It really has an impact more far reaching than we understand.  When we take the time to be kind, It has a ripple effect.  When we take the time to show love to one another, things change.  When we listen to someone else, they take notice.  

We aren’t kind or loving or a good listener to be noticed for it.  Quite the opposite.  Being kind should be our baseline attitude.  It should be where we function from.  To love one another is part of being a good human.  To listen is a gift we simply do because the other person deserves to be heard.

I get it, though.  It is often challenging to be kind in a world that is anything but kind.  It is a struggle to love when the most unlovable folks seem to be around us.  It is frustrating to listen when we have a million other things going on.  And let’s be honest – there are mean, aggravating folks out there.  But if we focus on this, we are missing the point.

Jesus teaches us to be a light in the world.  We are to shine bright with his light.  We are to be disciples regardless of other people.  They are not the determining factor of our attitudes or our actions.  They are the recipient of the gift we are given.  We are giving from a source deeper than ourselves.  We are giving from a place of great love.  We are giving from God and all he has given to us.  We are the light.  

Today, may we shine a little brighter simply because we serve a God who gives us all the light we could possibly need (and then some).  May we be kind.  May we be loving.  May we be good listeners.  May we be the light.

I don’t do well at resting.  It isn’t easy for me and doesn’t come naturally.  When I rest, I have to fight the urge to feel guilty.  I am a doer.  So to think about simply “to be” is a challenge.  I often think about how we are called human beings, not human doers.  But I enjoy accomplishing goals.  I enjoy the outcome from hard work.  But I know I am better when I rest.  I understand I only give my best when I rest.

I think this most becomes apparent to me when I read the scripture in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6, “³⁰ The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ He said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³² And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.”

Here’s what I pick up from this.  The apostles are excited about their accomplishments.  They have done work for the kingdom.  They have achieved many of the goals set.  God had been with them, just as Jesus had sent them.  They were doing great things.  Jesus tells them it is now time to find peace and rest.  They are to go by themselves and just rest.  They had been so busy, they hadn’t eaten (I’ve got to be REAL busy to miss a meal).  But they didn’t have time, things needed to be done.  There was only a limited amount of time to get so much done.  But Jesus didn’t tell them to keep going.  Jesus told them to go by themselves and rest.  

I hear Jesus telling us the same thing.  When we’ve done our best, when we’ve given our all, when we have put everything we have into something, rest.  Find a place and rest.  Find time to be alone and rest.  These were instructions from Jesus to his apostles.  These are instructions for us as well, I believe.  May you find time to do just that – rest.  

Blessings my friends as you seek the place and time to simply rest.

Spend much time on social media, watching TV or listening to the news and fear will ensue.  It is almost inevitable.  There are crimes and wars and injustices.  There are conspiracy theories and folks who thrive on bringing fear to others.  Some will create fear to gain power or control.  And still others will grasp onto anything because something seems better than nothing.  Bad news travels fast.  It captures people’s attention.  It sells ads and makes others money.  Our world is filled with people fearing something – or everything.  

With all of this, maybe we go back to the truth.  Truth is something we almost never hear or read or experience.  Stories are one sided.  Angles are presented to sell the story.  Perspectives are skewed.  Here are truths to cling to, especially when all seems full of fear:

God has not given us a spirit of fear.  He has given us peace.  Jesus told his disciples (and us) that he was giving peace.  He was giving a peace unlike the world could offer.  This means we can have peace even in fear.  We have not been given a spirit of fear and we do not have to live this way.

Plus, the Bible is full of reminders, from the beginning to the end, to not fear.  Do not fear is one of the most prevalent commands.  It is still true for us today.  In addition to having peace rather than a spirit of fear, we are also told not to fear because God is with us.  The Christmas story is about Emmanuel, God with us.  

So maybe we turn off the noise today and listen to the Good News.  God is with us.  He brings peace, unlike this world.  And he gives rest for our weary and fearful souls.  

Matthew 11 ²⁸ ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

There are a few things which are absolutely required for life.  We have other things which we need and probably want, but there are a few which are required.  One of the most important is water.  Without water, we perish.  Water is life.  Water gives life.  Water sustains life.  We continue to live because we have water.  So, it goes without saying water is vital.  

Water can also become important in our spiritual life.  The waters of baptism are a symbol of belonging, a symbol of family, and a cleansing of who we were before we were a part of this amazing family.  

In the Bible, Jesus came to his cousin, John, to be baptized.  John is hesitant, because John knows who Jesus really is.  But Jesus, understanding how John feels, reassures him this is the right thing at the right time – to move forward.  And so, John does what John has done many times before.  He prepares for baptism.  He wades out into the waters.  He readies himself to proclaim the mystery of death and life.  Except this time is different.  This is Jesus.  And this time, something miraculous and revealing takes place.  

As Jesus comes up from the waters, the heavens open up and the voice of God speaks.  The voice of God speaks just as the voice of God has spoken to Moses on the mountain.  The voice of God speaks as had happened to the people of Israel.  The voice of God speaks as it had done to prophets before.  The voice of God speaks but the message is one we must pay special attention.  This is my Son.  

Jesus was revealed to all people at his baptism.  But he was also setting an example for us as well.  He was showing us the way.  He was helping us to see this is a part of following.  This is a start on our journey of being a disciple as well.  

The waters of baptism not only show a cleansing, a redemption, and a sending forward.  They also show we belong.  We are part of a greater and bigger family.  We are welcomed into God’s great big family.  We are together with those who have gone on before us but have traveled these waters just like us.  We are with those who will come and be touched by these waters.  We are a part of a family where we may look different and talk different and think different, but we are united under the common following of God.  We are united in our calling to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.  We are united in our calling to love our neighbor as ourselves.  We are united in Jesus – the One who God reveals as his Son.

What a revealing it is.  Jesus continues to reveal himself in our lives if we pay attention.  Sometimes it is in the water.  Sometimes it is in other parts of his creation.  Sometimes it is through his Word.  And sometimes it is through our lives.  Jesus was revealed at his baptism.  May he be revealed to us today.

I was running…walking…suffering… enjoying nature at the Cliffs of the Neuse today.  It is an incredible day to be outside.  This type of day rarely happens in January.  It actually doesn’t happen that often in Eastern NC because it is usually hot or cold, not as much in between.  This is an in between type of day.  And it is a day to enjoy.  As I was making my way through the trails, I passed a couple of ladies and offered a hello.  They asked how I was and I asked the same.  At first, they said they were doing ok, then one woman said she lied, they were exhausted.  I told them not too much to go, to hang in there.  

They truly were only about a quarter of a mile from the parking lot (if they parked in that particular lot).  It was almost visible.  But a quarter of a mile can seem like a lot when you are exhausted and you don’t see the finish line.  I can relate –  when I would run races and people would tell me I was almost there and I still had 6 miles to go.  6 miles in the whole scheme of things may be minor.  But 6 miles when you are ready to be done feels like a lifetime.  It’s all about perspective.

It is hard to keep going when you don’t see any reprieve.  When you don’t know when this particular situation will end or at least get better, it can be overwhelming and defeating.  We really often want to quit right before we see the finish line.  We really want to throw in the towel when we just can’t see any resolution.  

That’s when we need to trust.  It is in these times trust becomes the only solution (because quitting can’t be).  Trust in what or who though?  For me, it is trust in God to carry me through to the moment I can take a break.  It is trust that God will guide me to the finish line (and maybe even drag me along if needed).  It is trust in God to know where the breakthrough will happen, even when I cannot see it ahead.  Trust really shows up when I cannot see the solution or the end for myself.  And that’s when trust counts.

It is easy to say I trust God.  But it is something entirely different to trust him when I cannot see the finish line. Whether it is a quarter of a mile or 5 years, I have to trust God will get me there.  Otherwise, I could end up quitting right before the breakthrough.  

May you trust, especially when the finish line is out of your view.

Proverbs 3, “⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.”

When you look in the side view mirror of your car, most of them have the words “objects are closer than they appear.”  In other words, if you think you have room, you might find you’ve hit the car next to you.  The mirror can be deceiving.  It is made to help you see around but not be exact.  It is a little distorted so you might have a different view to help you drive.  

I think many of our mirrors in our homes have distorted views as well.  I don’t mean we live in a home of fun house mirrors (wouldn’t that be interesting?).  I don’t even mean our mirrors are shaped weird or have odd contours.  I mean what we see in the mirror isn’t necessarily the truth of who we are.  

Many of us look in the mirror and see aging, problems, receding hairlines, and even things that just make us upset.  We see the extra weight or sagging skin we keep hidden from other people.  We see all the things we wish weren’t there, or at least we wish were there better.  We are often critical and harsh.  We nit-pick what is in the mirror, something we would not (and should not) do to someone else.  We even say mean things to ourselves, critical harmful things.  

Our mirrors are not telling us the truth.  Sure, what we may see could be technically there.  But it isn’t the whole picture.  It is our view of the truth.  What are we missing?  We are missing who we actually are – a beloved child of God.  We don’t always see how perfect we are in the eyes of our Creator.  We don’t usually see the light in us or the beauty inside.  We miss how we were shaped and molded by God who thought so much of us he made us just the way we are.  

Are there things we could do better?  Absolutely.  We can take care of this creation of God.  We can eat well, exercise, sleep better, and all the things to care for this life we are given.  But we can also take a moment to see who we really are, flaws and all – a gift of God.  That’s right – YOU are a gift of God.  

Maybe the next time you look in the mirror, stop focusing on all the things you would change and see who God sees – his child.  

Hear these words for you written in Psalm 139, ¹³ For it was you who formed my inward parts;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
    Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
¹⁵     My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
    intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.
In your book were written
    all the days that were formed for me,
    when none of them as yet existed.

Plans fail.  They just do.  We can work extremely hard to make sure everything is covered.  We can cross all the Ts and dot all the Is.  We can go over every detail until we are exhausted.  And we can execute our plan flawlessly.  With all of this, it can still fail.  We can still find ourselves at a loss.  Our plans can crumble right before us. 

This doesn’t mean we don’t plan.  It simply means we understand that sometimes plans will fail.  I have often found when my plans fail, God has other plans which are different, but better.  He sees a bigger picture.  He understands all the costs.  He knows our heart’s desires.  He sees you and me.  He knows all we have put into this.  And he has good things ahead, though sometimes really difficult.  

In the Bible, Joseph went through a disastrous time at the hands of his brothers.  But in the end, he tells them what they meant for evil, God meant for good.  Joseph had a plan.  His brothers had a plan.  And God’s plan prevailed in the end.  

Proverbs 16:9, “The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.”  I love the thought of God directing my steps.  I want to plan and work hard.  I want to give all I have to something important.  I want to provide value.  And I do this best with the Lord directing my steps.  He can show me where the potholes in the road are.  He can guide me when the road splits into multiple directions.  He can hold my hand when I face fear or disappointment.  He can and will guide my steps.  

Keep planning.  Keep dreaming.  Keep moving forward and working hard.  Just make sure God is directing your steps.  It will make all the difference.