What is “Amor Fati?”

Have you ever heard of the Latin phrase “Amor Fati?” It is a mindset employed by the Stoics like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, and it translates as “a love of fate.” It sounds gloomy. It sounds defeatist. But the Stoics, living by this principle, would see it as one of the keys to human greatness.

Tear Down To Build Up

Life involves a series of tearing down and building up. What in your life needs to be cleared away so that something new might emerge?

The Wise Old Woman At Target

Perspective can change your life. This was something I was taught between the cars in a Target parking lot.

Celebrate Birthdays! A Makenzie Post

Death takes away. But it can’t take away my ability to celebrate my Makenzie’s thirtieth birthday!

Eat This!

Food says “Love.” But what else does it communicate when you share a meal with others?

Pain For Today – Prevention For Tomorrow

The story is this. I hate sunscreen. Always have. Darting around outside as a kid, I remember trying to wipe it off, only to have it transfer from my face and shoulders to my hands which made “sandcastle building” no fun. Last week, the fifty-plus years of avoidance started to catch up to my face.

3 Joys In The Journey

Monday Motivation: Life is tough but there is always Joy in the Journey, yes?

Good Friday Isn’t Good! (Or Is It?)

Why do we call it “Good,” for goodness sake! It is the most horrific day in the history of mankind! Humans — the lowly created feeble-minded of creation — thinking that they can kill their Creator. Anathema! But we call it “Good Friday” not because it is a day for the Humans, but it is

The Positive Power Of Negative Thinking

Is it possible that negative thinking is a gift? Toward what could it drive you, spiritually?

What Is Spiritual “Novation?”

Real Estate fascinates me. It has for many years. Kellie and I have bought, sold, rented, and flipped houses as a hobby during most of our married life. Part of that whole process is understanding contract law. (I know, fascinating, right!) There is a concept in contract law called “Novation.” Novation in real estate occurs

Lent’s Logo

The start of something is often represented by a “symbol.” For example, when my friend started a business years ago, he went through the process of designing a company logo that would visually represent who they were as an organization. Today is the start of something in the church calendar. Like my friends’ company, we

What Define’s Your Life’s Benchmarks?

Yesterday, my long-time friend, Dean Dunavan, was ordained as a pastor to God’s people at Woodbury Lutheran Church and beyond. I sat listening to the words of encouragement spoken by our District President and other brothers in the ministry. They were beautiful words of life, caution, and love. My mind drifted, as it does, to

God Is Stuck With You

How often do we give or receive that lovely, age-worn phrase of comfort, “God is with you.” Lovely thought, isn’t it (cue “bunnies and sunshine” music). No matter what kind of mess you get yourself into, no matter what sort of dark place your desires lead you, “God is with you.” For sure, I’m not

It Doesn’t Always Work Out

You’ve tried to reconcile but anger, resentment, and fury meet you at the door. What do you do?

One Emotion God Doesn’t Have

Did you know that there is one emotion that God doesn’t have? When I tell you, you might be surprised because it is an emotion you and I encounter every day.