The world’s media today is filled with stories remembering the horrific events of September 11, 2001. As we write this message, television screens are broadcasting simultaneous services of commemoration about what happened that day in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. 2,977 people died — tragically, violently, needlessly. The world changed dramatically that…
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Two different families in the same small town experienced tragic and shocking deaths by suicide of a family member they dearly loved, within a short time from one another. Both deaths made headlines in the local papers, causing their families to suffer more pain beyond the losses due to the salacious nature of the stories…
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Before we get started, let’s play a quick game of compare and contrast: Think about the life you thought you were going to have -the one you envisioned when you were a kid, a college student, a newlywed, or a first-time parent. Now think about the life you do have. Chances are good that the…
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The two disciples whom Jesus joined on the road to Emmaus recognized him in the breaking of the bread. What is a more common, ordinary gesture than breaking bread? It may be the most human of all human gestures: a gesture of hospitality, friendship, care, and the desire to be together. Taking a loaf of…
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Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. Joseph Campbell It’s complicated, she exclaimed many times as we talked. It’s complicated, crazy and sometimes I just can’t believe it’s happening to me. She had laid it out: The surgery following an accident. The long hospital…
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You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it. Maya Angelou Over the next several blog posts we are going to explore the…
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As we work to create life for others we naturally light our own way. Mary Anne Radmacher An NPR news story today that focused on how people cope with loss and grief caught our attention. The central focus of the piece was that … research suggests one of the best ways to heal…
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That which does not kill me, makes me stronger. ~Frederick Nietzsche What you have experienced, no power on earth can take from you. ~Unknown As we look back upon our lives it is particularly difficult to acknowledge that challenging seasons or experiences have meaning and purpose. Our tendency is to try and forget them,…
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