4+ day, 20+ hour ago (927+ words) WORTHINGTON " The Globe asked St. Mary's fourth and fifth graders, and Worthington Christian School fifth and sixth graders: What are you thankful for? Here are their responses in their own words and spelling. I am thankful for my mom and my dad I am thankful for Jesus and Mary I am thankful for dog cat. Mjak G. I'm thankful for my mom, and dad. I'm thankful for Jesus, God, and Mary. I'm thankful for my techers. I'm thankful for my friends, my besties, and my best friend for life, Mjak. Zendaya G. I am thankful for my toys, Mom, Dad, sister, Dog and all the people that are nice to me I am also thankful for My classroom, and God Because God made us he Loves us and even if we say that he does not love us he will always Love…...

4+ week, 1+ day ago (411+ words) Five hundred words to encapsulate four years. Doesn't seem possible. It was four years ago this weekend, friends, that we started this journey together. Borne from a simple idea about a weekly column viewing faith through everyday stories and circumstances. What a trip it's been! You've witnessed two more of our kids leave the nest, and our youngest start her senior year in high school. You've consoled me through the loss of our mother, two brothers and a beloved Husky named Cody in that short time too. For that I'll be forever grateful. You've supported me through a career change that if had been left up to me, wouldn't have happened. But here I am now, getting to wear my pastoral identity all day long! We've enjoyed laughs; shared tears; and helped hold each other's anger. You've helped me see…...

3+ week, 1+ day ago (392+ words) I think that one of the most challenging aspects of living a life of faith is the realization that everything in this earthly life we know is so " ethereal. Circumstances can change in the time that it takes for an eyelash to drop to the ground, and that is a very disconcerting thought for most of us. This precariousness is jarring and reminds us that truly we walk through this life trusting in things unseen. (Hebrews 11:1) I was reminded this week by a devotion I read that all we are certain of in this world is only temporary, and that our fortunes can literally change with the dawning of a new day. The rub, of course, is that those changes can either bring us great joy " or tremendous sorrow. I think it is exactly this uncertainty that vexes so many…...

3+ week, 9+ hour ago (1045+ words) WORTHINGTON " There's a profound truth that often gets lost in our understanding of God's character: the delicate balance between justice, grace and mercy. These three attributes of God aren't competing forces " they're complementary expressions of divine love that shape how we experience our relationship with the creator and with one another. Let's start with three simple but life-changing definitions: Reread those. Let them sink in because understanding these distinctions changes everything about how we view God and how we treat others. Think about the last time a police officer pulled you over. Maybe you were speeding " perhaps significantly over the limit. You knew you were guilty. You deserved the ticket. That's justice. But if the officer let you go with just a warning? That's mercy. You didn't receive the punishment you deserved. Now imagine that same officer not only let…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (448+ words) The other morning I hopped into my Ford F150 to start the day. When the onboard computer systems were a go, and the radio fired up, my SiriusXM was tuned to a station that I never, ever listen to. Some pop music channel I'd never heard of. Then on came a rap/reggae tune that my brother who passed in April absolutely loved! But, I'll skip the song title to spare judgment of his musical tastes! Maybe not such a great story to anyone else, but the thing is " it was the morning of his birthday! So, sometime between when I shut off my truck the night before, and when I got back in 12 hours later, the satellite radio service was tuned to a station I never listen to so that I would hear a song my brother loved " on the…...