During this season of quarantine, I’ve been taking a new look at prayer. Prayer is essentially “communication with God”.

I’ve looked back at several Old Testament references when God and man converse. Here are a couple of things that I’ve discovered:

1. God initiates the conversation.

2. He starts with a question.

I love Christmas! Along with Andy Williams, I too think, “It's the most wonderful time of the year—With the kids jingle belling—And everyone telling you be of good cheer—It's the most wonderful time of the year!” However, in all its busyness, Christmas has the potential to be so chaotic that we miss the calm it actually represents. We have a choice; we can be part of the monster or the moment.

Being a preacher’s kid, I heard a lot of stories. Many of them made an indelible impression on my life. Sometimes it wouldn’t be a full story but instead would be a quip or quote that my dad would use. One of those he always used in his sermon around Thanksgiving was the quote credited to Helen Keller— “I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” I’m not sure if she actually said that or not, but it sure sounded like a mantra that would fit a woman of such resolve.

The crowing of a rooster means a lot of different things to a lot of different people! That incessant high pitched “cock-a-doodle-do” is a one of a kind sound that even the youngest child will attempt to imitate. To some, it is the signal of a new day and a fresh start. It carries with it the potential of new beginnings with a blank slate. For others, it rings with remorse and is a reminder of the night before or even the countless mornings when opportunities were carelessly squandered.

My daughter and her husband live in Montana. My wife and I recently visited there and made several hikes into the depth and beauty of Glacier National Park. One of them being the famous “Highline Trail.” The Highline Trail is an extremely popular hike, and for good reason. At every step, you can enjoy spectacular scenery as the Highline follows along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall. The beautiful views, the excellent opportunities for spotting wildlife, and the wildflowers, all combine to make this a hike we will never forget.