Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation— God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done.

Psalm 78:1-4 (The Message)

My wife and I were going over some old family keepsakes the other day, and we unearthed some treasures. They were treasures by my reckoning. There were not any forgotten U.S. Savings Bonds, or old stock certificates, but they were treasures nonetheless. These were items of my parents, grandparents and other assorted family members. They were photos, for example, of mom when she graduated from night school. Yes, that was a thing- some kids worked during the day and attended high school at night.

I saw old documents, mom’s old coin purse, a picture of my dad smiling in a photo from my brother’s wedding. Honestly, I never remember seeing dad smile so broadly in any other picture.

I could go on and on, but here is my point. Families have rich histories. I recall watching Ken Burns’ documentary about the Civil War (incredible, by the way), and much of its heart and soul, and historical verity, is comprised of personal letters from soldiers to their wives and moms back home. We learn about the people and the times they lived in by the letters and photos they kept.

I wrote a novel, Joseph Shepherd, which is based upon the idea of a chronicle of Shepherd’s journeys with his friend, and the legacies built on that. I didn’t know it while I was writing the book, but I was writing it to myself. I was telling myself to write down, for future generations, my thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

So, I would put this consideration forth to my dear readers. Think about ways to convey to future generations what is in your history, and what is in your soul. It is well worth it, for you and for those yet unknown family members who, years from now, will unearth a treasure.

Prayer: Father, you have given us rich lives and stories to share with others. What a plan you have for us! Amen

 

 Luke 24: 13-35

A verse by verse discussion of Jesus’ care-giving techniques 

On the day he rose from the dead, Jesus quickly began his last 40 days work on earth. He appeared before two men on the road to Emmaus. This is a beautiful story, and it illustrates the way we can care for others in their time of need. I will give a brief discussion of each verse, and the care-giving principles that Jesus displayed. 

v.13 “ … on the same day” – this was on Resurrection Day. The two were walking together, trying to comfort one another, heading to Emmaus. One was Cleopas, the other, very possibly Luke himself.

v.14 they were processing the events with one another, trying to work out their grief and bewilderment

v.15 – 16 as they walked together, Jesus appeared. Often our help comes from places we do not expect, or from people we do not expect. They did not recognize Jesus. He comes in the form of people we think are unlikely to be able to help us. Jesus made himself available to them.

v.17 Jesus inquired about their need. When he did that, they were confronted with having to share their pain with another person. Speaking it out loud sometimes makes it too real and painful. They looked down and stood still.

v.18 Cleopas’ answer may have revealed a lot of things. Was he sensitive and angry? He might have thought to himself  “Man, have you been living in a cave for the past few days? How could you miss such an event?” Cleopas, in his self absorption may have been unable to see how someone could miss what was so important in his own life. Or, he may have been taking out anger which is part of grieving. Jesus was the patient outlet for this. So are we as caregivers sometimes. 

v.19 Jesus asks Cleopas to say more about the events. Jesus shows interest, and a willingness to invest time in comforting Cleopas. Cleopas was all over the map in his rambling grief. Jesus patiently waited for him to finish his statement, then he spoke to him about the truth of the situation.

v.19 – 24 How much do you think Jesus may have wanted to say to Cleopas “Don’t worry, your problems are over! It’s me, Jesus, I am resurrected like the women said!” Why didn’t Jesus do that? He had bigger plans for them. He did not want to distract them, perhaps with something they would never have believed. He did not intervene too soon, rather, he met them where they were in their ability to hear the truth. For example, I often know that a person will be able to use his/her pain to help others in the future, but it is too soon to say this when they are in the midst of grieving. We need to let them grieve, and gain credibility as a comforter before we can be their guide for the future.

v.25-27 Jesus explained the present reality. He reminded them of what they had read, and put it into context. He became to one who comforted them with the truth.

v.28-29 Obviously, Jesus had done a great job at telling them the truth to comfort them, because they begged him to stay with them. Jesus then stayed with them. In fact, Jesus would appear to six people or groups of people that first day of Resurrection, yet he stayed with them to help them through grief to joy.

v.30-32 Jesus took on the role of priest and head of the family when he broke the bread. It was at this point that they recognized him. Perhaps it was the way he spoke as he broke the bread. At any rate, the spirit within them came to the “aha experience”, and immediately, they saw that this was the lamb of God, slain for them, and risen again.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your loving care for us! Help us to spread that wherever we go.

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay                  Matthew 28:6

Today is Easter, the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from his crucifixion death  two days prior. A traditional greeting in the early church was “He is risen!” The response was an enthusiastic, “He is risen indeed!”

This event is the lifeblood of the Christian faith, for it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It symbolizes for his followers a new life for themselves- a life of forgiveness and a promise of everlasting life. It is a life of hope and joy-one to be shared with others.

Early believers confounded others around them who did not know Jesus, but only knew of the loving attitude and behaviors of those people who called themselves “The Way”, or “followers of Jesus”, or later, Christians. That name, Christians, apparently was a moniker given to those Jesus followers and it was not meant to be positive, but the “Jesus people” appropriated it for themselves.

So as Christians, we are to live our life in such a way that everyday we can be aware of the new life imparted to us- one that is best shared with others.

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for your son, his life, and his resurrection, Amen

One who is slack in his work    is brother to one who destroys.                                                              Proverbs 18:9

There was a recent ruling about social media giant Meta that found its practices to be harmful to children. We all know the addictive nature of social media. I only need look at my own user metrics each Sunday morning at 9:00AM which tells me how many hours/day I spend on my phone.

Reels have been found to be particularly addictive because they are short, interesting, and eye-catching. It is easy to fall into watching reels which are often funny and at times even informative.

The point of danger is the fact that we are increasingly becoming a nation of short attention spans and shortcuts. Many of us remember the days of newspapers when lengthy stories covered newsworthy events in some depth. Reporters researched their story, vetted it with more than one source, and generally stood behind their product.

Enter the national newspaper USA Today in 1980 and a younger generation of newspaper readers, pre-internet, found bite sized articles which could be more quickly consumed.

Just a few years later, in the 1990’s, the internet came along, and with it an avalanche of information, some true, some not, in even briefer bites, and it was quickly and easily consumed.

As I have stated before, anything that gives quick gratification can easily become addictive. We see a national (and global) addictive process whereby we want information and entertainment quickly. The number of books read by Americans has been in steady decline for decades.

I worry about the attention spans of Americans, and others around the world, since information has become bite sized nibbles meant to draw people in for a quick bite, not a meal. It takes discipline to read long articles or books and it seems that the culture has departed from harder but surer way of getting at truth.

Alas, none of us are perfect in this endeavor. There is so much information now available, we get overwhelmed. That’s why, once in a while, I treat myself to reading books that are simply entertaining. I call it my “mind candy”.

Sometimes it helps my weary brain!

Prayer: Lord, help us to find your truth wherever we may look, Amen

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”          John 14:6

On this Good Friday, 2026 I am reflecting on the man crucified, and the human nature that led his enemies to do that. Was he crucified for healing people- maybe for healing them at the “wrong time” (the Sabbath)? Was he killed because he raised people from the dead? Was he persecuted because he taught people about the true nature of God?

The answer to those questions was likely, “No”. He was persecuted because he was seen as a disrupter to organized religion. In fact, he was called a “blasphemer”. He also fell into disfavor from those who sought political deliverance from Roman rule. In fact, Jesus never promised political deliverance- only spiritual reconciliation from a loving father.

Jesus displayed moral courage because he spoke the truth no matter the cost. He did that because he loved people, and he knew that indeed, the “truth shall set us free”. To paraphrase a line from the movie, A Few Good Men, the people who crucified Jesus “couldn’t handle the truth”. In other words, the truth did not line up with the narrative they wanted to advocate. Jesus was dangerous to them because their political or religious structures were being threatened.

So, the completely innocent Jesus was put to death because he threatened cherished and entrenched systems. The self-interest of those people and their groups were protected at the expense of Jesus. In the end, of course, truth triumphed. Jesus lives on in the lives and hearts of untold millions of people. His moral courage endures for those who choose to follow it.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus lives, as does his example to us. Thank you for sending your Son to us, Amen

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  

John 13:14

Today is Holy Thursday. It has also been called Maundy Thursday, taken from the Latin word Mandatum, and shortened to “Maundy”. Mandatum is the Latin word from which we get the word “mandate” in English- that which is commanded.

It was of course at the Last Supper – the celebration of the Hebrew Seder meal- that Jesus commanded his disciples to carry on and remember to share bread together in remembrance of his body being broken as a sacrifice for people. The Passover meal is rich in symbolism of a people being redeemed by a special and miraculous work of God.

He also washed the feet of the disciples, something that Peter rebelled against, until he realized that taking on the role of servant to one another, even in the most menial of ways, is the way that Jesus followers should act.

Your church may have special services on this day to commemorate this Maundy Thursday. But whether or not you have such a service, this is a good day to remember that Jesus became the suffering servant as a model for us to follow.

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember that following Jesus is an act of serving others, Amen

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now                                                     Philippians 1:3-5

Today is April 1^st and that means it is April Fool’s Day, but more importantly for me, it also marks an anniversary- the 6^th anniversary of this blog, reflectionsofacounselor.com. I had posted the blog for a few years before that, but April 1, 2020 was the day I decided to post it every day. The blog has been posted every day since then.

As you recall, that was in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic, and I felt that I needed to post in order to have a sense of having a voice, and some level of control during a very troubling and chaotic time. I hope it benefits my readers, but you see, it is also good for me.

Therefore, I want to sincerely thank my readers who read regularly, and many who read it every day. It gives me joy to see regular readers from the United States, led by people in North Bergen, New Jersey; Cincinnati, Ohio; Kentucky, Texas, Iowa, California, North Carolina, Michigan, Virginia, Illinois, Oregon, South Carolina, and Kansas. Actually, over the years, I have had readers from every state in the union.

I also have faithful readers in Ireland, China, Singapore, Norway, England, Canada, Australia, and at least a dozen other countries at various times over the years.  I name these places because I want my readers in those places to know that I see you, and I value your following!    

As Paul said in his letter to the Philippians, I thank my God in all my remembrance of you…

Prayer: Lord, you have given us a long distance relationship with people whom we will never meet this side of heaven. What a blessing that has been, Amen  

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

In past blogs I have written about the concept of paradox, that is, a truth that appears contrary to common sense. I have also written about my little backyard pond, and the very hardy fish that occupies that pond. He/she is, (I will call her a female for sake of pronoun redundancy), by my reckoning, at least eight years old. This little mutt (by the way at least 5 times larger than when she was set into her current home) has thrived through every season, every frigid winter, and every blazing summer. I have named her “Hardy”. I thought about adding another fish named Laurel, but Hardy would probably not like sharing her space after all these years. Several years ago, I added a few little fish and they succumbed to – well something got them.  Hardy however, has survived splendidly on her own.

Yes, I place a de-icer in the pond when sub-zero temperatures would freeze it solid. I tend to the pond health by thinning overgrown aerating plants, skim out leaves as best I can to avoid too much decaying organic matter, and rarely, I add a little water in the summer when evaporation makes the water level a bit low.

The fish however has never been fed by me. She must fend for herself, eating the algae, any insects she can find, and whatever else she may decide is nourishing. She must avoid predators such as snakes, an occasional blue heron, one of the feral cats in the neighborhood, maybe even the raccoons that prowl in the evenings. The point is, a very rigorous life, one of striving for survival and hard work finding food, has made her extremely fit for her environment.

That got me thinking about the idea of a life of striving. People who must work hard to survive and thrive are usually stronger for the effort. A life of relative ease does not cause one to live longer. Indeed, it tends to shorten life. The “greatest generation” of the depression and World War II, were called that for a reason. They had to overcome much suffering and deprivation, yet they helped build a strong nation.   

The gospel is replete with paradox. Statements like the weak are strong, the last shall be first, one must lose their life to find it, etc. are just a few examples.

When we strive, we survive. What a beautiful paradox.

Prayer: Lord, your ways are higher than our ways, and they are so amazing, Amen

As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
 for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.                                                                                                              Psalm 103:13-14

Mount Rushmore is the spectacular monument crafted by Gutzon Borglum in South Dakota. Carved into the rocks there are the images of four acclaimed American Presidents- George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Often, in sports, talk show hosts will throw out a question to fans, like- “who is on your Mt. Rushmore of football running backs”? Or “who is on your Mt. Rushmore of starting pitchers in major league      baseball “? The question, of course asks, what are your top four sports heroes at a particular position or sport?

So, if there were a Mount Rushmore of Bible passages, Psalm 103 is right up there for me. I often assign this as a little homework for some clients to read throughout the week to remind them of God’s love and provision for them. The entire Psalm is uplifting and encouraging, especially when we are feeling downtrodden, or even forgotten by God.  

So, of you need a lift this week as we head into Easter, consider Psalm 103. It is on my Mt. Rushmore!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the encouragement we can find in this beautiful Psalm, Amen

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”                                          Matthew 21:1-3

Today is Palm Sunday, the traditional start of Holy Week. It marks one week before the highest holy day, Easter. On this day that we call Palm Sunday, Jesus rode triumphantly down the streets of Jerusalem to the adulation of a crowd who knew of his marvelous teachings and the miracles he had performed. They, of course welcomed him with great joy that day. By Friday, they would be demanding his death.

We know this story. I have always been fascinated by the possible back story of how Jesus had arranged for the donkey and the colt. Evidently, the owner of these animals was known to Jesus, and Jesus had known just when the time was to dispatch his disciples for the entry to Jerusalem.

Jesus had known all along how this story would end, and he had planned the smallest details of it. Love entails anticipating what others need and providing things for them that they cannot provide for themselves.

What an example Jesus gave, upon his anticipated death just days later, to plan the details of how he would redeem the people he loved.

Prayer: Lord, what an example of love you have given to us! Amen