Last week I came across a statement by Dallas Willard that was both comforting and encouraging. You may or may not know anything about Dallas Willard, but Dallas was an outstanding Christian teacher/speaker and writer. I had the privilege of hearing him in person more than once, but also took the time to read some of his books. I was never disappointed by what I read.

Like people in general, Christians are not perfect and make mistakes as everyone does. Some of our mistakes are lesser than others, and some are greater than others. The greater the mistake the more damage can be the result.

The observation made by Dallas Willard I recently read was not just encouraging and comforting, but also an expression I felt could be helpful for people who have been burdened by some long time mistakes and needed what he said. In such a positive way from his spirituality and his knowledge of the Bible, Willard affirmed “There is nothing that can’t be changed in our lives, especially in terms of grace.”

Like so many of us who call ourselves Christians, I rejoice in the truth that by His grace God can change our lives as we submit to Him. I hope all of us who have walked with Jesus as our Savior and Lord realize some things need to be changed and can be changed by God’s grace. As the old hymn affirms, God’s grace indeed is amazing.

If you are so inclined I challenge and encourage you to invite God to change things in your life that need to be changed by His grace. I know I need God to change some things in my life that would by His grace draw me closer to Him and cultivate my walk with Him. Dallas Willard’s affirmation that “There is nothing that can’t be changed in our lives” is encouraging and assuring for those of us who have committed to be children of God and followers of Jesus.

I hope these thoughts have strengthened and encouraged your faith as well as giving you some things to ponder. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Jan and I went to a Beach Boys concert last Friday and we really enjoyed hearing again many of their songs from years ago. There were ten musicians on the stage, but only two of them were with the Beach Boys when they began in 1961.

I was only 10 when they launched their band but I have always appreciated them and their songs and music. Their concert this past Friday was the third time through the years Jan and I have seen them in concert and we appreciated all three of them.

Listening to them again in concert left me feeling nostalgic. The definition of feeling nostalgic is “thinking fondly of a past time or condition.” I’m 71 and often feel nostalgic when I am reminded about things in the past and remember them fondly.

Having lived in Southern California for 30 years I was especially taken by the two songs “California Dreaming” and “I Wish they all could be California Girls.” As a pastor for many years the song “God Only Knows” was also an important reminder.

It’s not just the music of the Beach Boys that make me feel nostalgic, but also a lot of music by other groups and individuals from years ago. Nor is music the only remembering that makes me feel nostalgic. Sometimes talking with longtime friends and/or family I also end up feeling nostalgic.

Another word to reinforce nostalgic is melancholy.  As an adjective melancholy is about being sad and pensive about a longed-for past time or condition. It’s not just music from the past that gets my attention, but also people, places, and vacations from the past.

I don’t think I’m the only one who sometimes thinks about music, vacations, places, and people from years ago. I don’t squelch those times when I am sad and pensive thinking about my past. Nor do I squelch my feelings when I think fondly about my past.

Being reminded of things in our past and remembering what they meant to us and still mean to us is something that happens to me quite often. Even though we cannot return to those times in our past that we cherish, we can remind ourselves and remember times in our lives that were enjoyable and exciting.

Most readers of these thoughts of mine have probably heard the classic song/hymn “Precious Memories.” Some artists who covered the song include George Jones, Johnny Case, Emmylou Harris, Jim Reeves, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and others.

Hopefully all of us have precious memories that mean much to us. On the other hand, we also have memories that remind us of mistakes, loss, and pain. At the age of seventy-one I have both precious as well as painful memories.

I tag this blog a reflection and one of the definitions of reflection is serious thought or consideration. I hope what I have written prompts some of your own reflection.

Feel free to leave a comment below.

Most of us probably remember at least one thing we wanted to become when we were moving into young adulthood. Many of us became what we wanted to become and others realized there was something else we wanted to become.

Earlier today I read the manuscript of a sermon by Ken Shigematsu. This preacher’s sermon was five full typed pages and one of the best, most challenging, thoughtful, encouraging, and attention getting sermons I have read the last several months.

Shigematsu used Romans 8:28 for his text and not only delivered the goods on Romans 8:28, he also included a variety of observations that got my attention and provoked some honest thinking about my own life and what lies ahead.

Shigematsu shared with those who heard the sermon or read the manuscript that “through COVID-19, I have been reminded that I do not control my life.” He continued “COVID-19 has shown me that I am utterly and completely dependent on the living God. If I think I am in control of things that is merely a pleasant illusion.”

Shigematsu’s sermon conclusion takes an entire page and gives to both listeners as well as readers a refreshing and instructive wrap to his sermon.

As much as I appreciated Shigematsu’s sermon, one brief affirmation in the last paragraph before his conclusion challenged me. His most powerful observation got my attention and has given me lots to think about when he reminds us “the central drama of our life is who we are becoming.”

I’ve been a Christian for most of my life and have had my ups and downs when it comes to who I am becoming. Hopefully I will keep on becoming more and more the Christian God wants me to be.

Shigematsu’s sermon title is Hope in a Time of Anxiety. If you can find it I think you will be blessed by it.

The Lord’s Supper is an act of worship that Jesus himself established and encourages us to regularly participate.

It is often called “Communion” (or Holy Communion) and emphasizes that we are in fellowship with God and our fellow worshippers. Connecting with and speaking with God is primary–but in communion we are reminded we are all part of the body of Christ.

In the Lord’s Supper we are not merely eating–we are eating together. We are in fellowship with Christ, and we have fellowship with one another.

When we share in the Lord’s Supper we need to be reminded that our host is Jesus. He invites and welcomes us to His table.

The Lord’s Supper is a reminder. We need to be reminded of what Jesus has done for us through his death on the cross. Perhaps the most important thing we need to remember is that God and Jesus forgive us.

Usually the Lord’s Supper takes place in a church building, but it is not limited to such a building. Some of the most meaningful times of communion for me have taken place in camps or on retreats outside in God’s creation.

Usually when I post a blog it also has a picture. I haven’t been able to figure out how to add a picture, but I am working on it. Be patient with me.

At the end of June in 2015 I starting writing weekly blogs. I appreciated those who signed up to receive the weekly blogs and the response of many to the blogs encouraged me. Not everyone who responded was positive, but I was both challenged and encouraged by the remarks of some of my readers who did not agree with everything I wrote.

I wrote weekly blogs for seven years and stopped writing April 21, 2022. Now as we near the end of summer 2022 I’m thinking ahead and planning to start writing weekly blogs again in the next few weeks.

If you were receiving the blogs before April 21 I hope you will receive this update and continue to read my blogs. If you have not received my blogs in the past you will be able to request receiving them as I begin writing again.

I hope readers will feel comfortable making observations and asking questions as I begin writing and sending blogs again.

Usually when I post a blog it also has a picture. I haven’t been able to figure out how to add a picture, but I am working on it. Be patient with me.