Talking with folks at the Habitat Restore, where I hang out a couple of times each week, a consistent theme of weariness keeps popping up. Staff, doing good work helping people earn their first house, work at the ragged edge. Shoppers looking for bargains to stretch budgets seem exhausted by inflation. One guy, from the Burns area, sagged into a recliner and said he was dreading the drive home, "I'm out of gas and almost out of gas."

Stop for a moment and brainstorm words which might describe our culture these days.

Now, do the same for the state of the church in our times.

Waiting for a deliverance, for some, seems to come easy. To folks wired like me, who get frustrated if I miss an opening in a revolving door, not so much. I recall a special needs student who explained why he sometimes had outbursts. He simply said, "Life don't easy." I can relate. With so much to be thankful for, and following a God who has shown himself faithful time and again, why would I doubt a deliverance was on the way, but I often do.

Ever listened, really listened to how folks pray? Better yet, have you ever paid attention to what you say when you pray? All too often it seems my prayers major on the stuff I hope God will do for me and mine. Don't get me wrong, we are encouraged to ask for what we need, but if we settle there time will show if we shrink down to a room of mirrors. For followers of Jesus, that is no way to live.

If you are like most folks, you have at least a passing recollection of the story of Jonah.

This reluctant prophet was called by God to travel east from Israel to proclaim God's message in Nineveh, the capital of ascendant Assyria. Known for brutality and ungodliness, this land of foreigners (in present day Iraq) was a direct threat to Israel. Understandably, Jonah scooted west and hopped a ride on a ship to Tarshish. Instead of going some 700 miles northeast, he intended to get as far away west as possible.

So far, 3.5 years into Grandparentland, I'm a fan. Remembering back, I think I was so busy scrambling somewhat cluelessly when our girls were toddlers that I missed some of the magic of a young life. Now, I find it easy to watch our daughter's daughter wander through her territory of discovery and experience sheer delight at the small things I rush right by, like …

In the midst of hard times, when we hope strong people will grow and emerge, folks of faith can wonder, "Where is God in all this?" Even in difficulties of our own making faith can waver and trust can wander. While we may not blame God for our circumstances we come close to that mindset. The difference lies in the God we follow.

A bit ago a memorial service was held for a dear friend, Mary. Having a part of the service was a gift and the time turned out to be just what a celebration of a believer's life should be. Long ago I was taught that there are three goals of a good funeral: Highlight the guest of honor, Comfort the bereaved, and Challenge those remaining.