The NU Blog Page

Ministry to others who are suffering illness, loss, or crisis is often an uncomfortable experience. We will change the subject or even just walk away rather than engage the one who is suffering on the level of their pain. Too often we say things that are more hurtful than helpful; like, “I know just how…

“In His name,” The more “orthodox” Christian communities have a practice that I have learned from, it is called the “sign of the cross.” It is actually a prayer. “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Saying this prayer is usually accompanied by the physical action…

Drawing Near to God: It is a good thing to come closer to God and be transformed into His image into a new creature. It seems to me that three components make up one’s path to this closeness and the new creation: 1. Knowing ABOUT God, 2. Knowing what to do or how to behave, and 3.…

Times of Reflection and Thanksgiving Spiritual journeys traverse multi-faceted arenas. Stormy seas, wilderness and deserts, rock trails, and shadow-engulfed valleys take their toll. Stagnation and boredom stand no chance in such environments. As a counterbalance, life journeys also supply stations of refreshment and renewal. Like irrigated green pastures in the middle of the desert terrain, spirituality offers the…

Are you feeling lost in the midst of Christians? There are a number of people with whom I correspond who feel like they are wandering alone in a desert. They have faith in Jesus Christ but fail to see his love and peace in the world they live in. This is a really difficult place…

The Lord is My Shepherd is probably the best known stanza from Psalm 23. This past week I spent some hours hiking in the forest. It is “backpack training” time, as I prepare for a three-night, 43 KM adventure that is coming up. For me, hiking like this is a special time to meditate and…

Having Effective Bible Study Can Be Difficult  Are you struggling to have effective Bible study? How do you judge the effectiveness of your personal Bible study? Well, I can think of several ways to go about determining this. For example, you might measure how many verses you have memorized. Can you more adequately explain the…

Are there any lifelong companions in your life? Some years ago, I found a watercolor painting of an old man playing his musical instrument, a horn. He was depicted in his nightcap and had sheet music casually set up against a stack of books. The caption under the painting was “Life Long Companions.” Obviously, the…

This past week I was honored to speak at the memorial service for my friend Jim Hughes. Jim and I first met twenty or so years ago, when we both helped teach Hospital Volunteer Training Workshops. Over the years, Jim became my “go to” man. When I needed advice on what camera to buy, I…

This Weekly Reflection is from a commentary on the Rule of Benedict. While the Rule was written for use within a 7th-century monastery,