Night Candle Meditations

Some of you may have wondered what happened to me since I have not posted anything since January 8. At first I became sick and was down for a week with a pretty bad cold. Then as I was feeling better I developed a fever and was given a rapid test for Covid-19. It was positive. I was somewhat surprised since I had my second Moderna vaccine last April. For the next few days I had difficulty getting through my usual daily routine. Gradually I began to feel better, but there were difficulties with my concentration and thought processes. Not having read or heard anything about this possible aspect of Covid-19 left me unprepared and scared about my ability to communicate effectively. When I began writing this blog on July 4, 2021, my intentions were to just share personal thoughts and reflections on various Bible passages with the hope of encouraging others. Initially I neglected to share personal life details that I didn't think were relevant to my writing. I was wrong! I discovered t...

We smile with recall of long ago youth opening a box of Cracker Jack. Maybe you tore open one end in a frantic search for prize before first taste. Or perhaps you sedately opened a corner that allowed only portioned servings of caramelized popcorn and peanuts to fall into an open hand. Patience in waiting to identify prize may have frustrated an impatient sibling waiting to compare swag. We know that disappointment has a way of creeping into such comparisons. Opening bubble gum packets of baseball trading cards brought pleasant surprises, but also disappointment when trying to be first among friends in completing coveted team collections. We could not know beforehand the results of a bubble gum or Cracker Jack purchase. One could not plot or plan the expected outcome of that purchase. Yet today we count on well-intentioned plans to determine our future. When such plans fail, disappointment disrupts the routine of living. Unresolved disappointment has a way of dragging discouragement ...

Perhaps you have stood before a mirror resolving that this will be the year you become a better man or woman. There is recall of an author's words, "Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand." But you think this year will be different because there are now programmed reminders in your cell phone. Do you really think that will make a difference? When relying on our own good intentions and resolutions the result nearly always becomes an aggregate of resolutions made and resolutions broken. If we are accustomed to living life in a certain manner, how is it possible to change? After all, one cannot change their skin color nor a leopard its spots (Jeremiah 13:23). A resolution is the resolve to do something, to make a change. This is possible with the common and simple matters of life although resolute decision making is required. Real life change is the result of reformation, the correction of error and removal of defects. Reformation brings a desire to adopt a...