THE TRAGIC EVENTS OF THIS PAST WEEK, at Virginia Tech, cause us to cry out, “Why?” Sadly, no answer we are given adequately answers that cry. As I have watched the events unfold I have felt helpless to do anything to help. Yes, I know I can pray, and that I have done, but I feel like there must be something more I can do.
Those who are close by the college have attended memorial services, or dropped by the campus to offer comfort. Those who knew those murdered have written blogs and sent emails. The rest of us tune into CNN and continue to ask the question, “Why?” We long for something to do, but what? There is very little I can do besides to continue to bring this tragedy before the Lord in prayer. Or is there?
As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to be peace-makers in our world. That world can be as close as our neighbor or classmate, or as far away as Africa or Asia. Statistics tell us that over 500 million people are facing the danger of battle, the loneliness of false imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of deep hunger. Looking at these numbers can leave us with the same feeling as hearing about the tragedy at Virginia Tech, feeling helpless to do anything.
The problems are just too big. But, there is something you can do. You may not be able to change the world, but you can help to change one life. Maybe it means reaching out with the love of Jesus to the one next to you or maybe it means reaching out to a child in the two-thirds world who is going to bed hungry.
That’s what Compassion Sunday is all about; making a difference in a child’s life. Showing God’s love in a very tangible way. Yes, you can be a peace-maker in our world. Now the question is, “What’s stopping you?”

I REALLY DO MEAN WELL. Every year I have plans to do my taxes in February, but it never fails, things get left to the last minute. At least this time I had things well organized. One of the reasons this time of year is so taxing is that I (we) make it so. When we push things off until the end life gets taxing.
That which is true about my tax preparation can also be true about other areas of my life as well. If I leave things to when “push comes to shove,” then life is going to always be more taxing than it was meant to be.
If I don’t care for my physical body, then I will pay a price in regards to my health. If I do not take time to maintain my home, I will myself having to do twice the repair work for often twice the cost. If I don’t take time everyday to enrich and development my family relationships, then when a crisis erupts (and they do), the damage repair will be much more costly in terms of emotional energy. If I fail to keep my relationship with God fresh and growing, then when I happen upon the valleys of life they will seem that much more dark and foreboding.
Being prepared reaps great benefits. Keeping on top of things, whether home maintenance, family relationships, or my walk with the Lord, pays great dividends. To leave things to the last minute only makes life more taxing and who needs that? Take time today to make life less taxing, especially as it relates to your family and your faith.
Now, where did I put those receipts?

NOTE: I DID NOT SAY I AM A MORNING PERSON. I really do like snuggling down under the covers and catching an extra few moments of shuteye in the morning, but when I force myself out early I find just how much I love a new morning.
I especially love early mornings in the spring and summer. I love getting outside before the sun begins to crest over the local hills and enjoy the briskness of the morning air. Just before the sun rises the bird song is incredible. It is if as they too are enjoying the blessing of a new day. At no time in the rest of the day are their songs so full and sweet. They sing at the expectation of the new day.
The birdsong, the still, cool morning air, the dew upon grass and spider web, speak of the reality that God was at work while I slept, and place in my heart the hope of new possibilities in the day that is before me. The death of night is fading and the life of the new day is rising.
I suppose that is why the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a morning event. It was a new day of new beginnings. The night of death had been powerfully swept away, and the dawning of a new Day had begun. The women and the disciples came that early morning of the first day of the week with the dust of death still clouding their eyes, they came as sleep-walkers only to be startled awake by the power of a new beginning. It was a morning in which I am sure the angels sang their songs full and sweet, for the Lord had risen, death was defeated, sin atoned for, and a new grace-filled day had begun!
Don’t you just love new mornings?!
He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

I’VE RUN THE SAME TRAILS through Henry Cowell State Park so many times that I think I could run them blind-folded. Of course, that would not be a good thing to do for a number of reasons! For example; tripping over twisted roots, or breaking an ankle in one of the various-sized varmint holes, and maybe most importantly, I would miss the ever-changing scenery that each new run brings.
It never ceases to amaze me that every time I run through the Park I see something new. I have noticed new trees that have fallen in the last storm and new blooms upon bushes or flowers. I have witnessed new little creatures scurrying across the path in front of me. I meet new runners and walkers, as well as cross the path of old friends. It is never the same old path, there is always something new to encounter, but only if I keep my eyes open and my mind alert.
This week we embark upon a well-worn path, a path that goes by the name of the Passion Week. It begins with Palm Sunday and ends with the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, and along the way we encounter, the teachings, temple-clearings, miracles, meals, prayers, and crucifixion of our Lord. It is a path that so many of have traveled so many times we could do it with our eyes shut. Please don’t!
I encourage you to travel this journey with your eyes, mind, and heart wide-open. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you alert along the path this week. Train your eyes to look for new reality, the deeper truth, the greater love. Take time, real time, to enjoy the journey, with all it joys and all its sorrows, I guarantee you, that if you take the time to walk these paths this week seeking to be fully aware, the celebration at the end of the path will be that much greater.
Will you join me in the journey?