What Is God's Favorite Word?
What is God’s favorite word? Some might argue that God’s favorite word is LOVE. After all, it certainly was one of Jesus’ favorite words. “Love one another, love one another,” he said over and over again. Others might say God’s favorite word is COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, GOODNESS, BEAUTY, or TRUTH. Still others might argue that God’s favorite word is NO. Just look at all those “Thou-shalt-not’s” in the Bible. (more…)
What Is God’s Favorite Word?
What is God’s favorite word? Some might argue that God’s favorite word is LOVE. After all, it certainly was one of Jesus’ favorite words. “Love one another, love one another,” he said over and over again. Others might say God’s favorite word is COMPASSION, FORGIVENESS, GOODNESS, BEAUTY, or TRUTH. Still others might argue that God’s favorite word is NO. Just look at all those “Thou-shalt-not’s” in the Bible. (more…)
The Old House Next Door
This past week they tore down the old house next door. It was a dilapidated white house that hadn’t been lived in for at least thirty years, maybe more. Although some people came faithfully every week to mow the lawn, the house itself was not taken care of. A few years ago, the roof began to sag. This past year, a whole section of the roof caved in. (more…)
Life Is a Lot like Being in a Marching Band
I live across the street from Chardon High School. During football season, Friday nights around here are pretty exciting—and pretty loud. When Chardon has a home game, hundreds of cars pack into our church parking lot. Hordes of people stream toward the brightly lit stadium. And before, during, and after the game, the marching bands play with precision and gusto. These bands got me to thinking: life is a lot like being in a marching band. (more…)
My Retreat at Gloucester
I just got back from making a retreat at Eastern Point Retreat House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The retreat house, owned and operated by the Jesuits, is located on a piece of rocky land that juts out into the Atlantic. It is a historic spot. The first European to see Gloucester Bay was the French explorer Samuel de Champlain. In about 1606 he spotted the bay as he sailed down the coast and, in his log, described the huge boulder that still sits at the end of Eastern Point. Champlain didn’t enter the bay for fear of “disturbing the natives.” In time, Gloucester became a great fishing port. Today it is still the home of the Gorton Fish Company. Another local resident who achieved fame and fortune was Clarence Birdseye, who perfected the quick-freezing method for fish and vegetables. (more…)
