on the Pilgrimage

Peace.  I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. (John 14:27) This week I got into a few discussions where words are used in ways that are a derivative of the person, defined or manipulated by the person using the word, and not from the definition of the word itself. In the process of an exchange, I realized that if we all have different meanings to words, then when we use them, the intended communication has a very great likelihood of going off the rails. What he was trying to tell me was not getting through; and vice versa. This week, the meaning of words has become very crucial to imparting one thought to another. Truly, without a common definition or understanding of the meaning of the word, there simply can be no communication. This...

For many years, throughout the past, I have come to this space to remember the Advent Season. To reminisce and to remind myself of what this all means. Over the past year, I have worked on a series I called "Wrestling with God", and - I admit - many things fell through. Even though I hope to continue it, at this time, I put a pause on it. The year has been full of ups and downs, and over the journey, I've had to set many things aside. More often, things for me have taken a backseat and things for others have taken priority. It's my intention that, for the next four weeks, I can make this  a priority. To come to this space, and spend some time connecting with my Christian ancestors. To breathe and listen to Christmas music, to just be for a little bit.  I'm not sure how long it's been, but I know many Advent entries in the past have been because of messages I've heard on that day. And, in a similar way, today is no different. I took the time to listen to P...