Fredrick Buechner kind of loosened up my clerical collar, you might say.

Do you purchase the first tree you see? Of course not. You search for the right one. You walk the rows. You lift several up and set them down. You examine them from all angles until you decide, This one is perfect. You have a place in mind where the tree will sit. Not just any tree will do. God does the same.

Mark it down. You will never go where God is not.

When troubles come our way, we can be stressed and upset, or we can trust God. Caleb could have cursed God. He didn't deserve the wilderness. He had to put his dreams on hold for four decades. Still he didn't complain or grow sour.

Jesus tends to his people individually. He personally sees to our needs. We all receive Jesus' touch. We experience his care.

If you have a pulse, you're going to have pain.

Religion is intended to facilitate hope and faith. Much like a path is intended to facilitate a journey.