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Everyone needs compassion

We are heading into the most meaningful season of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. It’s a time we celebrate with family and friends, build memories, and consider what really matters in life. It’s also a time we grieve what is broken or who is missing from our life. With that in mind I want to share with you two actions that our children, grandchildren, family members, and friends need from us. The great news is that God wants to pour both of these actions into our lives. And as He does we can consistently contribute these actions into the lives of others! If you ...

Pope urges charity when churches are sold, reused

ROME (AP) — The Vatican and bishops from Europe and beyond have developed proposed guidelines for the sale or reuse of Catholic churches to help ensure that they retain their cultural heritage and serve the good of the community, not commerce. With some churches being turned into discos, gelaterias or demolished outright, the guidelines suggest that if the church cannot be given to another Christian community, it should be reused for cultural or societal aims. Those would include being used as a museum, a library or conference hall, a food bank for the poor or charity center. The ...

Feelings and Thankfulness

Reports of mass shootings, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes and raging fires fill our newspapers and televisions regularly. We can be overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and frustration because of these circumstances; especially if we or loved ones are directly affected. We might even wonder whether thankfulness is possible. Paul, an apostle of Jesus, wrote about thankfulness while he was imprisoned for his faith. According to historical documents, the Roman prison where Paul spent time was called “House of Darkness” because it was a damp, over-crowded, smelly, dark, filthy hole in ...

What we leave behind

FARGO — I spent 16 hours browsing, sorting, and disposing her belongings. It was exhausting, educational, impactful and surreal. I finished with sore muscles, a deeper appreciation for her life, and a thought to share with you. My aunt Janie passed away Sept. 16, 2018, at the age of 89. Her goal was to live to 100, and we always said if anyone could “will their way” to a longer life it was Janie. She was an overcomer, having had polio since childhood. She spent two years at a children’s hospital; the scenes you see depicted where 40 kids are all in one big hospital room was her ...

A change of perspective

I’ve read two books by Pastor Mark Batterson and own several more. I would highly recommend any of his books. You will enjoy his creative, energetic, action-oriented and engaging writing style. In both of Batterson’s books I’ve read, he shares a helpful formula. Being a huge fan of math, I get excited when I see formulas. But beyond the pure natural joy of formulas, his formula has been increasingly helpful to me and led me to a decision in my 2019 calendar. Batterson’s formula is: “A change of PACE plus a change of PLACE equals a change of PERSPECTIVE.” When I first ...

More manpower

Last Sunday, I discussed one of the three attitudes displayed by Samson in the Bible that make strong men weak. When a man sees something that he desires, his emotions kick in and he pursues it regardless of cost. He may lust after a woman, a career advancement, a house or a challenge to conquer. Samson tears a young lion apart with his bare hands. Later, he passes the dead carcass and it contains a swarm of bees and honey. He violates his vow by eating the honey (Judges 14:5-9). Entitlement says “I deserve it.” I killed the lion, the honey looks delicious…I deserve some. I’ve ...