The NU Blog Page

Do you know how to clean a fish? Fishing has always been an enjoyable past time for me. And “fishing for men” has a lot of similarities. For example, once a fish is caught, one must “clean” the fish before cooking it. There are many ways to do this. Fishermen in different parts of the…

I am taking time out for a reflection on grief. At my age, one begins to notice old friends passing away almost daily. And if they haven’t yet left the physical world, they are certainly dealing with age-related health issues. Like Mac and Marty, who are spending this holiday at a physical rehabilitation center in…

Change, Choices and COVID-19, these are challenging days of change for everyone. Millions of people around the world are sharing the COVID-19 pandemic experience. We are painfully aware, especially at times such as this, that change is a constant in our lives. How has your life changed in the past six months? I recently read…

Do you have a healthy fear of the Lord? Many of us are accustomed to an annual physical exam by our “primary care physician.”  During this season of the global pandemic, it might be useful to seek a spiritual health check of our souls. This week’s Reflection highlights how much we fear the Covid-19 virus…

We are living in a time of global Pandemic. COVID-19 has affected nearly everyone on the planet, Christians included. That said, I want to use the next few weeks to address ways to help us cope with the physical, mental, and spiritual stresses that have arisen due to the disease and our, often, unhealthy responses…

Discernment as a Way of Life Some time ago, a colleague Chaplain at a local hospital asked if I had the gift of “discernment.” I gave him a pretty neutral reply because, in truth, I really didn’t know what he was talking about. Fast forward a few years, and today I am beginning to understand…

This week’s reflection, My Father’s House, was written by Raymond Key of Katy Texas.  At age 99, Mr. Key is a living treasure of wisdom and a wonderful friend to all who know him.  I have slightly edited the original text.  May you and your family be blessed this week! Blessings and peace, Chaplain Allen…

Skills are tools. Life skills are tools that make life manageable. It is possible to learn and become proficient in the principles of living life effectively. Such proficiency results in “a life well lived.” I see life as functioning along two axes: 1. Spiritual, and 2. Physical, both are required. Linking the two are our…

Simplicity can be difficult for many to come by and for others it can be forced upon them. During World War II, Walter Ciszek (1904–1984) was accused of being a spy. After spending five years in a Moscow prison, he was sentenced to fifteen years of hard labor in Siberian prison camps. He is an…

An intentional Father’s Day would be a good thing. Much of the world celebrated “Father’s Day,” a time to recognize fathers for what they have given their children and families. Perhaps the most important thing a father can do is intentionally form his family. These Weekly Reflections have recently gone through a ten-week series called…