Giving and receiving new life: What is baptism all about?

Should I tell them that it was my first time or not? When to do it? It would be a great opener, and everything seems more special. But they might get nervous. I could tell them at the end, but by that time it wouldn’t mean much. 

Here I was about to perform my first baptism, both nervous and excited. We, men, like to achieve things, to do things for others. We like to be able to accomplish things that support and sustain others – earn a living, raise children, be the best.

Annie Asmussen: adventure, love, joy, and peace - where to find it.

Life's been busy, and blogging hasn't. I figure that there are priorities and life, and living them is more important than writing about them. Exams have been very interesting, and I have one more on Baptism. Preparation for ordination continues to be intense, and life always brings surprises.

One of these surprises has been the story of Annie Asmussen. A young woman giving her life full-time  to God and others. I got the chance to ask her a couple of questions, and here are the answers. You can find out more on her blog: Way of Love.

"So I am a missionary to love the empty, unhappy, and falsely happy. I've seen the most hardened hearts find peace, freedom and joy in Jesus."

Lessons from the Cockpit: Flying and writing to give us a new perspective on life.

I'm new to blogging. Finding a new blog and thus, blogger is like uncovering hidden treasure. New perspective, experience, difference, and similarity. Things we agree on and things we don't! But all with a lot of insight to teach us. 

Christopher Laney and www.lessonsfromthecockpit.com
offer new insights on flying and life. See what he has to say.

Phil Mulryne: What to do with our lives? Vocation and discernment are for everyone.

Phil had it made. He was 18 and playing for Manchester United, one of the most respected football (soccer, for us Americans) teams in Europe. He had already played on their youth team for a couple of years. What more could a guy want?

But vying for midfield with David Beckham, Paul Scholes, and losing out on playing time wasn't exactly a glorious career. He moved to a much smaller club in hope of a little time on the field. But things didn't get better. Injury struck, more than once. As he moved from team to team, he wasn't getting playing time or recognition. What was he to do with his life?

Life's a Battle: the strength and joy we need to win (not just to get by).

Sometimes an idea just seems to hit us from all sides - like when we used to play bumper cars at kids. Well, these past few days have been that. 

So often, we're tired, down, and life's tough! It seems like we just keep giving, and every time we're emptier. We start calculating, measuring, compromising. If we cut a little here, stop doing that, and maybe just take it easy. No, it's lost before we even set foot on the battlefield. So where does real strength and joy come from? It's possible - we've seen it!