Have you noticed that when you first meet someone, inevitably either you or the person you are meeting asks the question, “so, where are you from?” or “what do you do?”  This usually becomes an icebreaker of sorts to perhaps find common ground or at least to simply spark a conversation. …

They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength,
they will soar as with eagles’ wings;
They will run and not grow weary,
walk and not grow faint.

I wonder how this happens…these words from the prophet Isaiah (Is 40:25-31). …

Last year, we experienced the grace of being able to spend Christmas in Mexico with dear friends.  While there we came upon a beautiful image of our Lady of Guadalupe.  Watching the framed image wrapped and lying on the tarmac in Puebla, we worried that it might not make it back to the U.S.…

I find it so interesting that part of the process for ensuring that the beautiful poinsettia plant blooms at this time of year involves the plant being placed in darkness for several hours of each day for a set period of time. …

What has to happen in order for something new to arrive?  Sometimes it may seem that cataclysmic activity must occur in order to issue in newness.  When a ‘newness’ arrives through violence and destruction, the ability to transition and respond in a way that is non-reactive is severely reduced, perhaps even impossible. …