The town meeting began routinely enough. What soon occurred, however, was a dispute between a handful of residents and a land developer. Some pretty sour feelings came to the surface. Wide differences needed to be resolved. A few people were visibly disturbed over certain issues. And yet, in … [Read more...]
Life’s journey: discovering the ageless work of God’s hand
Driving up Highway 1 in California, from San Luis Obispo to Big Sur and then into the San Francisco area, you see some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Along the way are rolling hills dotted with oak trees, mile after mile of spectacular coastline, and acres of forest that occasionally … [Read more...]
No surrender to indifference
Boston is no stranger to influential battles. Revolutionary ones in particular. Today the city’s historical sites host millions of tourists. Wander the Bunker Hill Monument grounds or stroll past the Old North Church. Walk the Freedom Trail. If you’re roaming around the 50-acre Boston Common near … [Read more...]
The lesson from Canyon Road
This time Canyon Road greeted us with a few surprises. Biting cold, rather than the dry summertime breezes typical of the New Mexican high country. Wall-to-wall people, instead of the usual meandering of summertime tourists that stroll the three-quarter-mile stretch of art galleries, studios, and … [Read more...]
No more strangers
Michael is German, he’s married, he thrives on classical music, and has a passion for sailing. Eric comes from a long line of native Hawaiians, he’s single, loves techno dance music, and would rather sit on the beach and watch sailboats. They are the best of friends. At one time, both men … [Read more...]
Not just a new year, but a better one
A new year, like the next chapter of a story, isn't supposed to be more of the same. There's an expectancy, or at least a hope, that the days ahead will somehow be different; that they'll be better. We need "better" in so many areas. Warmer relations in and among people; communities free of … [Read more...]
Why would God let these things happen?
[from an editorial published in the January 2, 1995 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel] A letter writer told us recently she'd shared copies of the Christian Science Sentinel with some friends. They liked what they read—the firsthand accounts of Christian healing today, and articles that … [Read more...]
Listening
On a late afternoon, our family went kayaking on a nearby lake. Upon heading out, one family member had to make a sudden maneuver and lost his eyeglasses into the lake. The lifeguard staff were contacted, and they estimated that the water was roughly 10-feet deep where they fell in. Nonetheless, two … [Read more...]
Not just what we observe, but why
There's hardly an area of life today where we don't find observers—observers of politics, of the economy, of social trends, of the world of entertainment. It's natural for us to look to observers for a perspective or depth of knowledge that we might not have ourselves. It's a way of expanding our … [Read more...]
Reacting to headlines?
Speculation about trade wars dominated the morning headlines. Within hours a massive sell-off caused the Dow to tumble over 500 points. The next day fear of trade wars subsided and the economy roared back into the news, this time because of an equally fast and robust recovery. A similar roller … [Read more...]