Though the impact of covid-19 is lessening in places around the world as vaccinations begin to roll out, there are still many areas and people that struggle. Some regions may not see the vaccination for months, in nations like Italy lockdowns are starting again. But for millions around the world, whether vaccinated or not, a… Read More Disoriented in the Fog: Life as Covid nears an end
I have wondered when or even whether to write this blog post. Certainly it was going to be difficult to do with the physical fatigue I experienced in the aftermath of getting Covid-19 in late September. That fatigue only lifted in the past few weeks, but still I weighed writing this post. These past months… Read More How to Survive ‘Friendly Fire’
This is my first blog post on my own site since late August. The longest stretch I’ve ever gone between posts. As many of you know, my wife and I contracted covid-19 in late September. It was pretty brutal, though thankfully we were not admitted to the hospital or needing oxygen. But afterwards I had… Read More Where do we go from here?
There are moments or seasons that strip us of everything. We are left without disguise, even to ourselves. It can truly seem like it is the end, and as far as our efforts, it in fact may be. These times are places of extremity, where we go beyond where we have been before. Places often… Read More Coming to the end of ourselves
We’ve entered a new month. But the virus continues to spread in some countries and job losses mount. Hopes and dreams are still being put on hold, now with cancellations and postponements happening for events in the last months of 2020 as well. Most of us are tired. I’m tired of endless zoom calls, though… Read More Stop and smell the flowers, and don’t lose your humanity in these troubled times
Recently I received the following poetic lament from a dear man who is in our local church. I was so deeply touched by the authentic lament my friend Forest shares, yet how hope and humility fills it as well. Read it slowly, more than once. Add your prayer to his, lamenting and grieving your own… Read More Lament of a friend
Last week, on July 8, was the 40th year anniversary of one of the greatest hope-crushing days of my life. I had just completed my first year serving with the mission group, YWAM, that I am still with. On that day in July, 1980, I was to have departed from Sea-tac airport in Seattle with… Read More Ever feel your hopes have been crushed?
With just over four months to go until the USA Presidential election, the apocalyptic language has begun. Have you seen it? It can go like this: if my party/candidate doesn’t win the election, it will be the end of the world! Or the end of civilization as we know it! Or in more religious language… Read More Will it be the end of the world if your candidate doesn’t win in November?
Weren’t the struggles of Covid-19 enough? The lockdowns, the layoffs, the careers and dreams postponed or ended. And just as the impatience for a new normal grew to a breaking point, three weeks ago in Minneapolis, Minnesota happened. George Floyd. Protests grew by the day, demands for change that are not new. And they still… Read More Trust in the slow work of God
The uncertainty of what is ahead only seems to increase. With some nations or states beginning a careful process of re-opening, planning for the last half of the year remains difficult. I was on a zoom call today (fighting the zoomed out syndrome as usual now) and virtually the whole time was developing contingency plans… Read More Questions for an Unknown Future
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