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You never know how far a small investment might go. I recently discovered a small cardboard box full of old stationery and cards that have never been used but were tucked away in a forgotten far corner of my desk. Hiding among the papers was a little card with this on the back. It had…

I have fond memories of my grandmother’s old cooking pan. During the summer of 1965, I worked at a natural gas plant near where my Grandma Thyssen lived. It was a wonderful period of weekend bonding during which I would mow her lawn and she would tell me stories of what it was like back…

“Delight in Him from whom you have received everything that delights you.”                                                               Augustine Today we are celebrating, at least in the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time for remembering what we have been blessed with: physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. A friend of mine recently approached this by focusing on…

Have you ever wondered about the halls of power? This evening my wife and I viewed Part 1 of a PBS special on the history of efforts to address climate change. It covered the period from the 1980s through the mid-1990s, long after we had left the energy business. Special attention was given to both the…

What is in the anatomy of a crisis? While crises come in all flavors, they share some common characteristics.  Typically, crises are sudden and unexpected; they are important to the one affected and produce significant consequences.  Usually, a crisis will also involve some form of loss.  Our lives are, quite simply, disrupted.  I suspect that…

WHY JESUS? “…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (I Peter 3:15 NIV) Why have you chosen Jesus and the Christian “Way?” Perhaps it was the only option you were presented with as a child. “Jesus loves me this I…

There are no parachutes allowed when following Jesus. Who is my master? Since it is impossible to serve two masters, my life needs either to submit to God or to consciously reject divine control and aim at some specious “autonomy.” Either I look for self-transcendence based on faith, or I lock myself within my narrow…

Do you see clearly? “And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself  drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him…” (Luke 24:15-16) Something like Jesus’ appearance on the road to Emmaus, I am vision challenged! But my challenge is a bit more practical. Both eyes have…

People search all their lives looking for happiness. This week’s reflection features a piece written by Mr. Raymond Key. He speaks from a lifetime of experience. Blessings and peace, Chaplain Allenchaplain@nationsu.edu chaplainscorner.org When I lose something I search for i. I begin by going to the last place that I remember seeing it. Often, I seek in the wrong place.…

This week’s reflection, My God Is Love is part 6 of a series by Raymond Key on My God and I. The guest author, Mr. Key, who at age 100+ has a lot of wisdom to share. Blessings and peace, Chaplain Allenchaplain@nationsu.edu chaplainscorner.org The little legs ran swiftly across the floor. Little arms reached up. She…