God's Words of Comfort During a Pandemic

Sermon preached at my congregation on March 15, 2020 for the Third Sunday in Lent. It was preached on Exodus 17:1-7 with John 4:5-26 also heavily used. This Sunday was arguably the first Americans had for worship during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you, Amen.

God’s Word is always full of perfect timing. Our lives this past week have been changed and altered in profound ways. You have the feeling we have been quickly thrust into uncharted waters and we don’t yet know where this wayward ship is headed. Its frustrating when you don’t really know exactly what to think, or what sources to trust. We’re not sure if the world is going to end in the next 7 days or if we’re going to find out everything is a-okay, nothing further to worry about. Tomorrow remains a big unknown.

Yet not entirely. God’s Word speaks about Christian living in difficult times. In days of uncertainty and days in which we feel like we are surrounded by unknowns and uncharted waters God’s Word speaks of hope. God is the most perfect of certainties in our lives. He is known. He is in charge. He makes tomorrow a matter of hope and promise because it is in His hands.

Trees and Life

[Originally published in the Monroe News on March 6, 2020]

I was out walking in the woods and snow near my house the other day.  Its something I very much like to do.  I’m an avid hiker and backpacker and would hit the trails and be amongst the trees often if I had the time.  There is something about being out in nature and being amongst all of these growing things that breathes life into one’s soul.  

Trees can play a big part in life’s story.  How many of us can remember that one tree in our yard with which we spent so much time growing up?  Perhaps it was the shade tree under which we would sit and read a book.  Maybe it was the climbing tree or the tree from which hung a swing for us to play.  I had a red maple tree in my backyard growing up.  It was the tree that looked like it was lit on fire every autumn with beautiful red leaves which filled the yard up with beauty for a few weeks.  Trees are right in the midst of our memories and they help us see the passage of time and this life.  You might just say trees are a symbol and sign of life.

Hartenstein Lake Snowshoeing

Can you spot the lake?

Brown's Pass Trail to Hartenstein Lake Trail
Trailhead Elevation: 9,925 ft.
Distance: 6.18 mi. (my Forerunner 230)
Elevation Gain: 1724 ft. (my Forerunner 230)
Start Time: 1:29pm
End Time: 6:01pm


Trip Report:
We were looking for good snowshoe routes to attempt near Buena Vista and Hartenstein Lake worked its way to the top of the list. It pretty much avoids avalanche danger throughout the route. The first 2/3 of the route are likely to have a well-packed trench from other users. Its worth noting the first mile and a quarter of this route is also a part of the Mt. Yale route which sees good traffic year round.

Paths to a Stronger Family

[Originally published in the Monroe News on January 31, 2020]

Everyone desires a stronger family.  But getting there isn’t so easy, this we know.  If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.  In this matter, we all struggle.  How do we improve life with those whom we call family?  In a world that really never slows down to let us catch up, how do we keep going and not feel as though we are always behind?  How do we just find rest and peace?

Now please understand, when I talk about family I’m not just talking about those who happen to live in a traditional family of mother, father and 2 ½ kids, or something like that.  We understand in today’s world that families do come in all shapes and sizes.  Many homes only have one parent, some are raised without any parents.  Some homes have no children at all, or some homes now miss the children that have grown up and moved out.  Family is what you make of it.  We might just say family is those people whom you love.

Timucuan Preserve at Fort Caroline

Willie Browne Trail to Timucuan Trail to Spanish Pond Trail
Trailhead Elevation: 30 ft.
Distance: 2.73 mi. (my Forerunner 230)
Elevation Gain: 67 ft. (my GPS)
Start Time: 11:05am
End Time: 12:18pm

Trip Report:
The State of Florida is certainly not known for its hiking trails. Before our recent family trip, I'm not sure I would have known of anything in the Jacksonville area. Nonetheless, I did my usual research looking for a great option for a family hike and found a gem here in Jacksonville. The Theodore Roosevelt Area of the Timucuan Preserve appears to be well known to locals as an area of beautiful trails and easy access for a morning's workout. We encounter 20-30 people out for their day's walk enjoying the beautiful landscapes and weather.