Transformed Mind

We are now in the Lenten season, which commemorates Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness before the start of his ministry. It is a time of reflection and repentance, leading us up to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. On dwelling upon this season, I thought, “What does this ritual fast really mean to me?” I see and hear of people giving up certain foods, TV; my wife gave up Facebook and deleted Candy Crush from her phone, but is this just a show, a check-the-box type exercise that Christians are just suppose to do? On Ash Wednesday a few weeks ago now, I received ashes on my forehead that visibly marked me as a Christian to everyone that saw me. But then I thought, “What about the rest of the year? How do people know I belong to Jesus?” This brings me to an important clarification, that of Cultural Christians and of Born-Again Christians. The former are those that are Christian in name only. They identify themselves as such because that was the religion they are born into and ra...

Hope.  This simple yet powerful word has come up quite a bit these past few days in my circle of friends and colleagues.  Struggles with relationships either ending or being strained, not knowing what the future holds for sick loved ones, and for a military acquaintance, the fear of death in a foreign land. All of these real life worries yearn and deeply cry for hope. If you’ve read my other posts this may seem redundant, but hope, true unadulterated, ever-present, and lasting hope can ONLY be found in Jesus, in his steadfast love and promise to shepherd and protect us, leading us to everlasting life with him. Psalm 23 paints a poignant picture of this hope in times of fear and uncertainty. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2         He makes me lie down in green pastures.        He leads me beside still waters. 3         He restores my soul. ...

Norman Rockwell “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!”  – Psalm 105:1 Thanksgiving to many is centered upon family and friends gathering to enjoy each other’s company, stuff themselves with hearty food, and fall into a lazy day of naps and football.  This of course is not bad, for I greatly enjoy all of these things.  I remember going to my Aunt Deb’s in Wisconsin to feast, shoot hoops outside, or hit up the local skating rink.  The spread was impeccable with every morsel you could think of ready to be consumed.  There was of course the grown-up table and the kid’s table, the latter of course being more rambunctious and fun.  Looking back, I can see that it was all about relationship.  It is both wholesome and beneficial to commune and laugh together, just as Jesus did so many times with all he loved.  Like him, let us remember to whom thanks should be given, God, our wonderf...