There was a time I thought no one saw me. I felt invisible. I felt like the good in the world bypassed me and only the bad found me. I was invisible. An unknown. A cipher. If you haven’t yet heard of the word “cipher” in this context, it means “a person of no influence; nonentity.” I first learned it from the short film “Cipher In The Snow.“ That’s the story I told myself for a long time. But like…
Navigating to a new place before the days of GPS required a map, a general sense of cardinal directions, and a basic understanding of what one may encounter along the route. With these tools navigating from city to city or even across state lines is a fairly simple process. Except when it isn’t. Despite having great tools, sometimes I would still get lost! It’s so easy to miss a street sign, take a wrong turn, or simply be distracted. Sometimes…
“Our Savior’s love shines like the sun with perfect light.” What does this perfect light of our Savior’s Love feel like? Elisa compared it to the feeling one gets when sitting outside on a hot summer day — or maybe even a warm fall afternoon — when the rays of the sun seem to warm and completely fill your entire body. You know the feeling… Perhaps you also feel the Savior’s love this way. Or maybe you feel His love…
If in hindsight we can see our trials of yesterday were exactly what we needed for today, perhaps we can create a new perspective on our trials of today. I shared this thought with a friend last week and it has really stuck with me. You know, kinda like “hindsight is 2020.” I realize by now the whole 2020 vision thing is totally overdone, but that doesn’t mean it’s not accurate. Perspective is more than just a perspective, it really…
Les and I took the wonderful opportunity this weekend to travel to visit our son, Brenin, who works on Cannon Air Force Base outside of Clovis, New Mexico. It has been a while since we’ve seen him and our parent hearts needed to spend some time with him. I was a bit apprehensive about the trip because this was our first time flying post-COVID. Because of the lengthy quarantine period we have all been through and the civil unrest I…
When I deployed to Iraq several years ago, my dad gave me his first year AA coin from Alcoholics Anonymous to carry with me. It’s the coin right in the center of the photo with the Roman Number ( I ) Number One on it. I remember him saying to me, “Son, if I could make it through and survive my first year of sobriety, you can make it through and survive a year in Iraq.” When my dad passed…
If you could go be with God, to “Hie to Kolob,” would not your soul be filled with beautiful peace? Would knowing where the “Gods began” bring comfort and solace? Such is the promise of this beautiful hymn. We invite you to simply feel that peace as Elisa plays this beautiful arrangement by Jason Tonioli. Have a beautiful Sunday. We love you! Les & Elisa
There’s a lie when it comes to grief. We think grief should be done and over with quickly. Others tell us to just move on. And life dictates we keep going, jumping back into our routine after a brief pause to say goodbye. And that’s the lie. Grieving in all reality is a complicated mess. A sticky, gooey mess. In “A Grief Observed,” the quintessential book on the subject, C.S. Lewis describes just how messy grief can be. “They say…
And God said, “Let there be light.” But instead of marveling at the miracle, I seem to routinely ignore and too often take for granted the spectacular gift. Why do I do this? Am I really that busy? Or am I just blind to beauty? I may seem a little harsh on myself. Or maybe you’re thinking I’m not hard enough. Both perspectives just might be spot on! Saturday I found a few moments to slow down and pause. A…
“Why set a goal when we can make a promise?” This is the question Jason Hewlett proposes in his new book, “The Promise To The One.” The word “goals” has lost most of its meaning and purpose. New Year’s goals and resolutions, for instance, seem as effective as blowing dandelions in the wind. PERSONAL MANTRA A few weeks ago I introduced you to my Personal Promise Proclamation. I have had a version of it for several years and called it…