What if Thanksgiving were about more than gratitude for pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes? Don’t get me wrong—those are good gifts, too. But the closing words of the Lord’s Prayer invite us into a different, deeper kind of thanksgiving: “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.” Most of us grew up saying those words by heart. They roll off the tongue easily, like the “amen” at the end. But every now and then, it’s worth pausing to ask:What are we actuall
The Cheesecake Infomercial lead us not into temptation!) Gentle Presence, Living Insight in the Snack Aisle of the Soul You know that moment: you open the fridge “just to look,” and a slice of cheesecake launches a late-night infomercial on why you deserve it. No shame, just charm: It’s been a tough day. You’ve earned this. One bite won’t matter. James would say the cheesecake isn’t the tempter; it’s the story we start plating up in our minds. That’s where temptation really
The Alchemy of Forgiveness: Turning Hurt into Freedom (from “The Lord’s Prayer for Our Time” series) What if forgiveness isn’t a rule to follow, but a kind of chemistry — a spiritual transformation that changes everything it touches? When we pray “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we’re joining an ancient current of mercy that has always been flowing through the human heart. Forgiveness is never simple; it’s a process, a refining fire.
