“I prayed, but nothing happened.” How often have we heard these words? Maybe they came from someone in an argument about faith. Maybe they came from a child trying to understand God’s plan. Or maybe these words came from ourselves…
Prayer Is Not Magic
Let True Freedom Ring
The Fourth of July always seems to make people stop and reflect on the core values of our culture. One of these values is freedom. We talk about political freedom, religious freedom, and economic freedom. Listen or read any type…
The Book of Tobit vs. ‘Tobit’s Dog,’ by Michael Nicholas Richard
Tobit’s Dog is a love story amid the battle between heaven and hell for the souls of the good guys as well as the racists, murderers, rapists, thieves and connivers not portrayed in the biblical version of the Book of…
Spiritual Warfare: The Full Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle…
How St. Thérèse Draws Me Closer to the Heart of Jesus
I first learned about St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus when I was 15 years old, a sophomore in a Catholic high school. In English class, her autobiography, Story of a Soul, was one of the options on our required…
Creation in Me
In every human being there is a curious trait. Have you ever made, directed or organized something? You know, not necessarily a great work of literature or Fortune 500 Company or a breathtaking work of art. Anything: a finger painting,…
From Catholic School to Prison
Recently, I began corresponding with a young man who once walked down a dark, destructive path. Eric is sentenced to twenty years in a Jamestown, ND prison for his third drug offense. He tracked me down through my publisher after…
Pray; Listen; Wait
Seven times he said, “Go, look again!” (1 Kings 18: 41-46) Two weeks ago we celebrated Pentecost. Within the next week the school year ended and life has taken on a whole new energy. What do we do with all…
How Do You Measure Disciple-Making?
How do I know if my local church is making disciples? Whether you’re a person in the pew, volunteer leader, minister, staff, pastor, or parish council member–you should care. Your local church has the unique mission to foster initial and ongoing…
This is My Body
We value very greatly our God-given rights. Some of these were enumerated beautifully in the U.S. Declaration of Independence. We value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Jesus was – is – truly man, as well as truly God,…