I just finished reading, Code Talkers, written by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila. It is a beautifully written biography of Chester Nez, one of thirty-two Navajo code talkers, who helped win battles in the Pacific area during WWII. Mr. Nez also shared his younger years when he was taken away from his parents to be educated in the government’s school program for assimilation of Native Americans into the American culture by eliminating their cultures and languages. The government was…..
In these times of anger,hate, fear, vitriol, violence, and confusion, where love, compassion, and caring cannot be found, let us all draw near to the River Jordon and wade into its waters. We need to be redeemed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We need God’s dove of peace to surround us, to hold us, and to inspire us to see the tears of those who need us, to hear the hearts that are breaking, to share…..
One of the most endearing scriptures is Ephesians 1:3-14, written by the apostle Paul. Christ blessed us with many spiritual gifts that God ordained when we were chosen by Him. God chose us in love before the world was created so that we would be holy and without blame. Because God adopted us as His children, He gave us grace in His beloved Son. Through Christ, our sins were forgiven with Christ’s death on the cross. With wisdom and insight,…..
A Prayer for Our World Lord, our world needs Your love, hope, light, peace, and grace. Hatred has replaced love. Despair has diminished hope. Darkness continues to fight the power of Your light. Violence and immorality debase any semblance of peace. People refuse to show grace by demanding their own agendas. You watch over us at all times. Your loving voice helps us to be who You want us to be. You empower us every day with Your…..
In the bleakness of winter, we often forget that even though the wind blows strong, earth and water are made hard like iron and granite, and snow keeps falling day after day, heaven and earth cannot stop Jesus Christ from coming down to us. A simple stable was where He was born, despite the dirt, stink, and animals in residence. We may be poor or rich,but we can all give our hearts to the new-born baby, even in these gloomy…..
Some people think that artists of different art forms are highly talented, and that they, themselves, could not possibly create such beautiful works of art. I beg to differ. We are all talented in some way, and God does not pick and choose who receives what gift. It is up to each of us to lovingly accept His gifts and to create more beauty for an already beautiful world. All He asks of us is that we take care of…..
This is the fourth Sunday in Advent, and Christmas is very near. My heart and soul are remembering so many past Christmases. CBS brought back the beautifully captivating story of the Waltons on Christmas Eve story from 1971 in DVD form. I found myself remembering my family Christmases of many years ago and wondered what we, as a nation, have done with Christmas. Is the meaning of Christmas tinsel on the trees, lights hung around the house, how many presents…..
On this third Advent Sunday, I will paraphrase verses from an eighth-century Buddhist teacher, Shantideva, whose philosophies about happiness continue to inspire me to be a better person as I prepare for the birth of our Lord and Savior. When we care for others’ needs before our own, happiness comes from that selfless act. We must never stop trying to make the hardships of others less painful. We must continue to relieve the sorrows of the less fortunate. Those who…..
John the Baptist shouted, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the paths of the Lord.” This is Advent, and we should be preparing for the coming of the Christ Child. However, when we think of the man shouting, most of us would be a bit afraid of what he looked like. After all, we live in a society where looks matter, bodily odors matter, food that is strange or disgusting to us matters…right? John wore clothing of camel’s…..
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, 2025. It is hard to believe in the light when so much of our world seems to thrive on hatred, violence, anger, vitriol, greed, and lies, but through it all, Emmanuel, “God is with us!” Through His light, peace, love, hope, and grace, we can believe, because He walks beside us through the good and the bad times. As I look out over the newly fallen, fresh snow, pure, white, and without blemish,…..