I remember my first “turn of the decade” New Year. It was the end of the 1950’s and the start of the 60’s. I was 9 years old, and so very excited for the highly anticipated 1960’s. It promised to be a decade of technological advances, labor saving devices, space exploration, and the emergence of that new “baby boomer” generation coming into its own as they entered high school. We did indeed also see many cultural changes, including civil rights protests, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Beatles, the Vietnam War and so much more. 

Now we approach a new year, 2026. It is not the start of a new decade, but every new year brings with it the hope that it will be a fresh start. It is a good time to both look forward and back. I am grateful for so much in this past year. I trust that the new year will bring my readers health and peace, and a renewed commitment to making the world around them just a little better.

I reflect also on my gratitude for my readers, both here in the United States and around the world. I want to recognize those readers from around the world, including Ireland, Sweden, China, Indonesia, Japan, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, Peru, Mexico, Australia, Nigeria, and occasional visits from other unknown friends around the world.

So, my blessings to all this New Year. May it be your best ever!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye                                                                Matthew 7:1-5

Projection: the attribution of one’s own ideas, feelings, or attitudes to other people or to objects Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Jesus was able to clearly outline the mechanism of projection long before more modern psychology had a name for it. The process of ascribing an attribute in ourselves onto someone else, then judging it, has been a part of the human condition since- well, forever.

Jesus correctly called upon people to clear their own eyes before they can accurately assess the problems with someone else. If we have a speck in our own eye, it actually, due to its close presence, looks, and sometimes feels, like a “plank”. It inhibits us from seeing things very well. We are not in a position to be able to see something amiss in another person’s eye, or heart as it may be, to offer a remedy. We need to get our own sight better first. Jesus went on to suggest that once we deal with our own problems, we may well be able to help a brother or sister with the same affliction.

My typical discussion with clients is the need to find personal healing by sharing their story for the benefit of someone else going through the same or similar problem. In this way, we get out of the pity, as well as the projection problems that can beset us, as we work to help another person.

But first, we need to see clearly in order to do that. We own our problems, work to deal with them, then we share our story for the benefit of others.

First step- we get the plank out of our own eye.

Prayer: Thank you Father for the wisdom of Jesus on human nature. He knows us better than we know ourselves, Amen.

 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5

Christmas 2025 is over, and we are in the “Twixmas” week. This is a kind of laid-back time for business, a time for kids to wear out their new toys, a time for some families to extend visits, a time to watch some meaningless (but nonetheless fun) college football bowl games, and a time to plan for the New Year.

Pretty soon, we will be back to “normal”, and winter 2026 will descend upon the Northern Hemisphere. People will be making New Year’s resolutions with the best of intentions, and they will feel better for the moment in having made some kind of commitment to positive change. Some actually will keep those resolutions, others, in the words of Ben Franklin, will fall into the old wisdom. “When all is said and done, more is said than done”.

The year 2025 may or may not have worked out as we had hoped. Some people are happy and fulfilled, others are in some level of pain and despair. But here is the truth of the matter. God is good, and he has been good, and he will continue to be good. He will never leave us or forsake us, no matter what kind of problems or issues we may blunder into. Our eyes are on God, not merely our current circumstances.

 That is the good news, my friends!

Prayer: Lord, we give thanks for your blessings in the past year, and pray for guidance in the coming one, Amen.

Jesus Was a Refugee

 After they were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up and flee to Egypt with the baby and his mother,” the angel said, “and stay there until I tell you to return, for King Herod is going to try to kill the child.”  That same night he left for Egypt with Mary and the baby and stayed there until King Herod’s death. This fulfilled the prophet’s prediction…                                                                                                                                      Matthew 2: 13-15

We all know the story about how Herod, upon hearing of the birth of a new king, Jesus, became paranoid and enraged. Having been apprised of the birth of Jesus by the wise men from the East, Herod declared a death penalty upon all boys under the age of two years old.

Joseph, alerted to the dangers to his family, quickly undertook the life of a refugee for his family. He took them on an arduous journey to Egypt. The earliest experience of Jesus was that of a refugee. We know that this was not a coincidence, but a fulfillment of prophecy. Moreover, it was a lesson that Jesus, from early on, could relate to the suffering of the people he came to save.

Egypt was a symbol of a place of refuge. Yes, it had previously been the place of bondage for the Hebrew people. However, both in Genesis chapters 12 and 46, Egypt became a place of refuge. Once again, in Matthew chapter 2, it became the place of refuge for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

How do we look at refugees today?  There are many serious refugee crises around the world today- Haiti, Syria, Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Venezuela, to name just a few. If Jesus were a refugee today, would he find safety in the United States? No, this is not a political polemic. It is a question of morality.

How do we respond to a human crisis? I trust that we adhere to our Christian ethics, not political expedients.

Prayer: Lord, give us wisdom as to how to respond to human need, Amen

 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”                 Mark 9:24

If you have seen the old movie, Miracle on 34^th Street, you will know exactly where my analogy comes from today. Late in the movie, little Susan Walker (played by a very young Natalie Wood), is struggling with believing in Santa Claus. The charming character, Kris Kringle, had been trying to get Susan to have belief beyond only the things that she could verify by her intellect. Her mother had drilled this idea into her for her entire young life- trust in only what you can see and verify.

As the movie progresses, Susan begins to wonder if there are things that might be true that she cannot verify with her intellect. Maybe she could believe in Santa Claus! Late in the movie, Susan’s nascent belief that maybe there could be a Santa Claus starts to wane again. She gets disappointed when she seems to not get the gift Santa had promised her.

In the car with her mom, she dejectedly, and half-heartedly says again and again “I believe, I believe” trying to convince herself to believe against all odds in Santa. Soon the car pulls up on the house that she had asked Santa to give her and her mom. It was true! Santa had delivered on his gift!

I am not asking my dear readers to believe in Santa Claus, but I think the principle holds with our belief in God. Sometimes, we are so disappointed and hurt by what we see around us, that we  can lose hold on our belief. Is God real? Can he allow the pain and suffering we see around us? Can that God be trusted?

It is at those times that I sometimes feel like little Susan. I keep reminding myself, “I believe, I believe…” My faith is not simply a feeling that sustains me. It is a trust that God loves me and others in this world despite how discouraging it gets at times. I simply then rely on that old commitment that I made many years ago-

“I believe, I believe…”

Prayer: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief, Amen

God made all sorts of wild animals and cattle and reptiles. And God was pleased with what he had done.                                                                                                                                             Genesis 1:25 (Living)

Research seems to indicate that petting dogs and caring for them has numerous health benefits. Petting a dog is calming and leads to a reduction of the stress hormone cortisol. This in turn can lead to a reduction of blood pressure. Petting a dog also releases the hormone oxytocin, the bonding hormone which is raised in close and safe relationships.  

Owning a dog, or other animals also has a beneficial effect- that of giving us a purpose to care for another living being. This, of course, is especially helpful for those who live alone. Many of my clients also indicate that a primary means of exercise for them is to walk their dog.

Finally, I have seen first hand the therapeutic effect of dogs for people who have experienced trauma, or who live with chronic and debilitating illnesses or conditions. In some cases, people who have been suicidal decide not to complete the act because their pet needs them.

In God’s marvelous and intricate creation, he has seen fit to bless us with pets and a host of animals in this world. Now, isn’t that relaxing to think about today?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your creation, and the comfort of animals you have given to us, Amen

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.                                                                                                                                                                  Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

“Even the smallest light shines bright in the darkness”                                                                                               Donna Raye

Have you ever been in a cave? You know, like those tours in Mammoth Cave or some other spacious cave? If you have, you know how dark it is when the guide turns out the lights. Yes, it is almost painfully dark. You literally cannot see your hand three inches from your face- that dark. Then the guide lights a match some distance away, and it looks like a laser beam.

So, think about what it is like when you are in an emotional darkness. You feel that there will never be light again. You cannot remember what it is like to see or even feel the light again. Then comes a little note, or call, or card. Someone just sent a little thoughtful connection. Not a big deal in anyone’s thinking, but that day, that moment, it was as bright as a star.

You see, when it is REALLY dark, a little light shines inordinately bright. In comparison to the present environment, it becomes a huge event. Small by some standards, it is a ray of hope.

I spoke with a client recently who said that the little card and gift that she received from her church during the Christmas season, “made my week”.

So, don’t try to judge or minimize the effect of a small gesture. It really could be the brightest spot a person gets all week.

Prayer: Lord, help us to really see the little lights you send to us from others, Amen

As is my custom on Christmas, here is the story from the Gospel of Luke in the KJV. May your Christmas today recall the glory and wonder of the years…

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.                                                                               John 3:16

Here it is. Christmas Eve, 2025. This is a most anticipated evening for so many little boys and girls, and even for us bigger boys and girls. The majesty of God brought to earth in the person of Jesus. We have celebrated this event for centuries, even though the celebration has changed over those centuries.

The basic story has not changed. God so loved the world that he sent his Son to earth to reconcile us to the God of the universe. In doing so, he sent that son as a helpless child to a helpless population. His love for us reached to that extent.

So today, as we celebrate that marvelous event, let’s show to the world that we can have joy and peace, even in the midst of chaos and division. The world is as broken as ever, but God’s love is as sustaining as ever.

Let us welcome the Son into this world again, and let’s celebrate his freeing presence!

Merry Christmas!

Prayer: Lord, we are so grateful for the gift of Jesus who is the hope of the world, Amen

“In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, bridge to our future.”                                                                                                                                        Alex Haley

I often tell my clients that it is helpful to write out our “story”. We each have a unique story, all of which have great merit. That story is good for each of us to recall and record, not only for us but for those who come after us. For many millennia, stories have been passed down by oral tradition. The problem with oral traditions is that they get slightly altered over the generations.

Written stories carry the accuracy of the writer so far as their own memory allows. Indeed, our memories are colored perhaps more than we are aware. We add or subtract or slightly alter the details based upon our perceptions at the time. Still, we can get a better picture of the situations as we record them in writing.  

All this to say that I have been recalling some past Christmases- even back to when I was maybe six years old. Like when my uncle Bob was Santa Claus. I think somehow, I knew it was uncle Bob, but I didn’t want to ruin the illusion for either of us. I wanted to believe, and I am sure he wanted me to believe!

Then there were those Christmases where Santa just always happened to show up on Christmas Eve when I was taking a bath. Just missed him!

There were those wonderful Christmas Days when I was an adult and my parents were still alive. We had a houseful of people, gathered around a table laden with food. Friends and relatives crammed into our little house on Mayfair Ave. in Cheviot, Ohio (a small Cincinnati suburb). The spirit of love was in the air.

Well, there were so many other Christmas memories. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve when I sang in the choir and we sang those wonderful Christmas carols and hymns. The little nook in the living room where we set up the live tree. The ancient manger set handmade by my grandfather (or maybe his grandfather, I was never sure).

Finally, there were those more recent Christmases where my wife and kids and grandkids all went to the late-night service at church where we gathered with hundreds of others and sang Silent Night in candlelight to end the service.

So, my friends, recall your great Christmas memories, and consider writing them down. It is an enjoyable mental trip…