(Originally published March 3, 2016)

Have you ever been in a meeting or even a conversation, and you are watching someone speak, and then you suddenly realize you are not hearing a word that is coming out of their mouth?  Perhaps you’re tuned in to something else, another place another time, anywhere else but where you physically happen to be in that moment. …

As a child, I played softball…or shall I say, tried to play softball.  I was always an outfielder, when I played, and I recall that many times during evening games the setting sun would sometimes make it difficult to see what was happening on the field.   …

We’ve all heard the admonition, “Be careful what you wish for, you may get it!”  I feel somewhat certain that all of us can name a time when we impulsively thought we wanted something and then after obtaining it, found that it did not meet up to our expectations. …

What are you giving up?  This is a familiar question that many of us share at this time of year, as we transition from Carnival to Lent.  The practice of fasting is nothing new and has been practiced in cultures and religions for hundreds even thousands of years. …

“Thus says the Lord GOD: Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me; And suddenly there will come to the temple the LORD whom you seek, And the messenger of the covenant whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.…