The photo of the day features the words my wife and I picked for the new year. Simplify is the act of making things more simple and is a spiritual discipline. To experience simplicity, we must be diligent to remove all that distracts or overcomplicates. Distraction is a common tool in Satan’s toolbox. A distracted Christian is an ineffective Christian. My year is focused on cutting out as much distraction as I have the ability to control so that I may live a in simple faith and practice.

Even after 25 years of serving God in different types of ministry assignments, I still sit here thinking, “Lord, I can’t.” I can’t because I don’t have a graduate degree. I can’t because I haven’t been where this hurting person is at right now. I can’t because I still struggle…

Today’s photo is for the historical record. In our state, 2023 brings a new law which limits businesses from offering free plastic shopping bags or styrofoam containers.

The dogs have been eyeing these Christmas stuffies for weeks. We pick our battles. Dogs 1: Santa Clause 0

The rest…in the boxes. This has been a bit of an unusual Christmas for our family. As is this case with adult children, you take advantage of every holiday you can get with each other. With our new granddaughter under the care of doctors in Denver, we were able to…

We are not the only ones out enjoying the beautiful day. The temperate climate and this amazing little lake in the largest of our local parks make a great place for Snow and Canadian Geese to rest their weary wings as they head south for the winter. The early Christians regarded the goose as a much better representation of the Holy Spirit than the dove due to their hypervigilance and keen sense of smell. I appreciate how their service to one another, especially in flight, encourages me to take my turn in leading and pushing against resistance as we, the church, journey together toward the destination God is calling us to.