Night Candle Meditations

He was so much more than just a servant, yet we know nothing more than what has been said of him by a handful of men. Here was a man known and recognized by nearly all sharing ties to the common community of believers. After all, he worked for and often acted on behalf of the high priest. On the particular night in question he led a detachment of soldiers as the traitor Judas guided them to a favorite garden retreat for Jesus and His disciples. One man was disrupting the accepted method of temple worship. The high priest determined that nothing foil the plan to get things back to the way they were. To that end, he sent his trusted administrative aide to oversee the night's mission. The soldiers' torches failed to illuminate underworld shadows moving among the olive trees. The soldiers paused as forms of sleeping men awakened alongside the pathway. Judas moved forward to greet and kiss the cheek of another man stepping into the flickering light. The high priest's aide bare...

Many of us like to think that we have years yet before us in which to fulfill a dream or finish a quest. This may be especially true during our younger years, but what happens when best laid plans collide with unforeseen obstacles? Through the years I have continued to jokingly tell my wife, Carolyn, that I planned to live past a hundred years old and if necessary, to drag her kicking and screaming with me. As we grow older, challenges arise to such thinking as obstacles fall onto life's pathway. They come in many forms, but the greatest obstructions to longevity are generally health related. Recent changes in my own life elicit the prayer, "The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses." (Psalm 25:17).   Such words are not unfamiliar as reflection reminds me that "when anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul." (Psalm 94:19 NIV). God has always been present in my life, but these recent changes also disrupted...

In the moments before sunrise, God opens the door to a fresh new day. I sometimes gaze out window and watch as He paints the sky between broken clouds along the horizon of the Cascade Range. I find these moments to be affirmation of God's presence during my morning devotions. Such was yesterday's beginning until a knock on the door interrupted spiritual reverie. I was informed that I would be going out on a medical trip at 6:00 a.m. This was unusual since medical trips are generally scheduled later in the day. The escorting officers asked about my music preference as we began the thirty-five minute journey over rural back roads to clinic. Thinking of options on broadcast radio, I replied that I preferred classical music. I settled back for what I thought would be a routine trip. I wasn't aware that the particular vehicle we were in had satellite radio. One officer selected a station and I was suddenly immersed in soothing spa music. Despite the music I could sense the qu...