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Christian Reflections

What’s in a name?

“Hi, Charles,” the barista called out as I entered the coffee shop. Without thinking, I said “Hello,” and started my order. As I was waiting, I thought how interesting it was that this barista called me by name. I don’t go to coffee shops every day, but there are two or three I sometimes go

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A few extra moments

The elderly man stood just outside the door of the local grocery store. He waited as if maybe he was thinking about going back in, as if he had forgotten something. Then, it became clear why he was waiting. Slowly and carefully he pushed the door open and held it as an elderly woman with

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Come along on the journey

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — The season of Lent began on March 5 with a commemoration called Ash Wednesday. Lent is a period of 40 days when Christians prepare themselves for the arrival of Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and the hope this provides. During Lent, the Church actively

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In their shoes

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — It’s an often-used saying: Don’t judge someone until you are willing to walk a mile in his shoes. However, its power never diminishes. The biblical term for seeking to feel or connect with another is “compassion.” The original (Greek) word means “to suffer with.” Better said, when someone suffers,

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History Matters

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — David McCullough is one of the most popular historians and writers of the past 50 years. Although he passed away in 2022 at the age of 89, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author made past presidents like John Adams and Missouri’s own Harry Truman, as well as important figures like the

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Keep Listening

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — “Without counsel, plans fail; but with many advisers, they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). This is just one of many passages in both the Old and New Testaments where we are advised to seek the counsel of others. A popular saying related to that idea goes like this: “There’s a reason

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Beyond the Christmas card

By Charles Christian Best-selling Christian author Phillip Yancey wrote that although he loves cards depicting the manger scene, he feels they give us the truest picture of Christmas. The events leading up to the birth of Jesus were not quiet, serene or even orderly, according to the portrayal in the Gospels. Mary and her husband,

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Turn up the music

By Charles Christian There’s something powerful about music. It’s not just the fact that it is a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. Nor is it that hundreds of millions of people in the world at some point in their lives have played or tried to play a musical instrument. Music has a kind of power. Many

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You’re invited

By Charles Christian I remember the sight of my then-3-year-old son standing outside of his birthday party venue. We were there early to set up, but he didn’t realize that. So, as we were finishing the early setup, getting ready to go back home and come back later for the party, he looked sadly out

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Ready, set … rest

By Charles Christian We are in a fast-moving, fast-paced world. We have access to information literally at our fingertips. We have multiple calendars that map out our weeks and remind us of our deadlines. Whether we are in bumper-to-bumper traffic or sitting still at our desks, we consistently have the feeling that we’re “on the

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A fresh start

By Charles Christian The little boy kept erasing and erasing his math homework. He broke his pencil lead and had to resharpen it. Then he nearly tore his eraser off his pencil as he struggled with several of the problems in front of him. His mother came in and saw his consternation. She also saw

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Grateful people are happier people

By Charles Christian Studies show a strong link between thankfulness and happiness. Researchers say that when we express gratitude or even concentrate on things we are thankful for, the brain releases neurotransmitters that evoke happiness or joy. It seems no coincidence that the Bible consistently reminds us to give thanks and be thankful. For instance,

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Being square pegs

By Charles Christian A short-lived 1980s television comedy series called “Square Pegs” followed a group of high school students from a variety of backgrounds trying to fit in. Predictably, as is true in many real-life high school situations, they always come up a bit short when it comes to fitting in or “feeling normal.” Somehow,

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Leaving the ‘comfort zone’

By Charles Christian While we have all seen the “Welcome” signs in various states, I have also run across the “Now Leaving” signs: “You are now leaving California,” etc. Of course, these signs give away to pranks like one I recently saw online: “You are now leaving New York … Last person out, please turn

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Sad songs can actually help

By Charles Christian A not-so-closely-guarded secret among musicians is that most prefer sad songs. They play fast, “happy” songs to keep crowds motivated and interested. However, many will admit they learn the upbeat songs so they can have an audience to play the slower, sad ones. This is not because musicians are depressed people as

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Three helpful tips for election season

By Charles Christian As a United Methodist minister, I tend to take seriously admonitions by the denomination’s founder, John Wesley (1703-1791). He and his brother Charles, a prominent hymn writer, helped start the movement we currently know as Methodism. In 18th Century England, not everyone had the right to vote, but there were those within

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On our good days

By Charles Christian I had a mentor and professor who, after he made a profound point about growing in faith and walking in maturity, would sum things up by saying something like this: “So, on my good days, I find myself benefitting from this greatly.” This phrase, “on my good days,” has stuck with me

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Pete Rose as a lesson in forgiveness

By Charles Christian This is not a sports column. However, the recent passing of baseball legend Pete Rose at the age of 83, can provide a short exercise in theological concepts like confession, forgiveness and reconciliation. Rose, who played in the major leagues from 1963 to 1986 (an impressive feat in itself) still holds many

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Dealing with the news around us

By Charles Christian I was reading recently that not only do immediate personal issues affect our mood and our health, but the news around us can impact us, as well. The headlines that we’re bombarded with on the internet, television and in newspapers, even though they may be far away or not related directly to

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The God who is with us

By Charles Christian A pastor invited a younger colleague to a professional basketball game. The young man had not been to many pro games, so he was excited to be included. My friend was a sports chaplain, so he got in free and was allowed to invite a friend to the games. The young man

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No ‘Lone Ranger’ faith

By Charles Christian We were born into a unique situation. We have unique personalities and gifts. We are also born into unique families and communities. Some families and communities are loving, caring and nurturing. Others are neglectful and even harmful. However, most either express thanks for the healthy community they were raised in or at

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Learning from harvest season

By Charles Christian September is traditionally called “harvest month.” Because the Bible was written during an era when many people lived in farming communities, it is filled with stories and lessons about “the harvest.” Even though farmers work all year long raising various crops, designating a specific harvest month can remind us of important lessons

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Holy work

By Charles Christian About 30 years ago, the founder of Eckerd Drugs, along with a prominent Christian author, wrote a book entitled, “Your Work Matters to God.” Many would think this book was only meant for pastors or nonprofit leaders. However, the book was for an all-inclusive audience: accountants, salespeople, farmers, plumbers, etc. The book

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Always Learning

By Charles Christian We start learning from the very beginning. We go from full dependence to greater independence, especially when it comes to basic functions. Even if there are physical limitations that limit our independence, we still learn and grow. There is a sense in which we are always learning and growing. Some continue the

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Learning from our mistakes

By Charles Christian Mistakes are embarrassing. I remember seeing a commercial featuring a college bass drummer in a marching band. During the halftime show in front of a national audience, he turned the wrong way and had to quickly step to the side when everyone else was suddenly marching toward him. The commercial, which was

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The challenges and blessings of change

By Charles Christian Any new adventure can increase stress levels. New adventures can also get our adrenaline pumping and sharpen our focus. New jobs, new environments, new relationships and even a new school year can provide opportunities to break out of our daily ruts by challenging us to adjust our thinking and actions to adapt.

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Running to win

By Charles Christian Running has been popular for centuries. What started as a method to simply get from place to place faster has become the subject of athletic competition in virtually every country in the world. Millions of people are focused on the Summer Olympics in Paris, where runners compete for medals. It seems that

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