Dear Friends, Candidates for office are fond of asking voters, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” The implication is society, the economy, whatever, are disintegrating under the policies of the current office holders and a change is needed. This disintegration may or may not be a fact, but the question itself
Dear Friends, While they were in Bethlehem the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7). Although, he is never mentioned, the
Dear Friends, Last week’s message on the San Bernardino massacre and its aftermath resulted in an outpouring responses grateful for words of kindness and hope after that horrific day. Thank You. . . . John said, “Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17b). Those words express love, both tender and tough, personified in
Dear Friends, The subject of my meditation this week is the San Bernardino massacre. My observations are personal and spiritual and not intended as an attempt at a comprehensive treatment of the event and its implications. It is too fresh and raw, and too close to home for that, and others are better qualified for
Dear Friends, Zechariah, an old priest, with impeccable lineage married to Elizabeth, also a woman of impeccable lineage, reads Scripture, keeps the commandments, prays, and serves God. Yet, when the Angel Gabriel shows up with a message from God of joy and gladness in answer to his prayer for a son, Zechariah asks, “How can