![]() As we prepare our tables, our travel, and our time off for another celebration of Thanksgiving Day, I find myself thinking that giving thanks is harder than it seems. I say “thank you” to people dozens of times a day. I say thanks for giving me my coffee, thanks for bagging my groceries, thanks for doing that thing I asked you to do. I do it so naturally and habitually that I wonder if I even know what I’m saying! Saying thanks is a habit.
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![]() “Why doesn’t God DO something about the suffering in this world?” This question often sits at the heart of why people struggle with having faith in God. It is often the reason people choose to reject the idea of God, to be an A- (meaning “not” in Greek) Theist (one who assents to the existence of the Divine). It is a fair question and should not be dismissed. ![]() Compassion isn’t easy. It’s a challenging choice to stand with others in their weakness, vulnerability, loneliness, and brokenness. Often, our first instinct is to avoid suffering—either by trying to fix it quickly or by distancing ourselves from it. We’re conditioned to be active and productive, wanting to prove our worth by making a visible difference. Yet, in this pursuit, we can overlook one of our greatest gifts: the ability to stand in true solidarity with those who are hurting. ![]() The 2024 Election is over. Winners and losers have been decided. For some, the outcome is a victory to celebrate. For others, it is a moment of dread and despair. It is tempting (or a little delusional) to think that the conclusion of the election means we have settled our differences, embraced a unifying vision, and can move on. The election is over but our struggle for unity, peace, common ground, and a hopeful future is clearly not over. The election, it seems to me, didn’t settle anything. If anything, I come away more confused and uncertain than ever. ![]() We all continue to endure the political ads, blustering rhetoric, misinformation, and incivility of another election. Most of us, I think, will be relieved when the election is over. I’m not sure that candidates understand that demoralizing the electorate is not a good long-term strategy. Demoralized or not, however, as Christians, we have a responsibility to participate in elections and cast our votes. We have a responsibility to lift-up our leaders in prayer and work to make the world a better place through our political decisions. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 instructs: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” ![]() Lots of the attention to learning and growth in the church is centered on children and youth. Flowing from the promises parents make in baptism, the church helps with the shaping of young people as disciples. This is good and necessary. Yet, in our culture, we also think that once we “graduate” from school, finish the educational process in our youth, we are done, finished products with nothing left to learn. Read more at Grace Notes: https://bit.ly/htlc-gracenotes ![]() In a perfect garden, created by God for the sake of humanity, evil entered in the form of deception and lies. Christians refer to this story, found in the biblical book of Genesis, as the fall of humanity. This foray into human sin began when Adam and Eve, the first humans created in the image of God, were deceived. ![]() Jacob Astley found himself entangled in the turmoil of the English Civil Wars (1642-51). A Royalist, he served as the King’s Major-General of Infantry and, just before the Battle of Edgehill on October 23, 1642, he offered a heartfelt prayer in the presence of his troops. O Lord! thou knowest how busy I must be this day: if I forget thee, do not thou forget me. ~Amen |
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