One of the ways to live a more spiritual life is to practice gratitude. Say thank you for blessings great and small. I even encourage you to say thank you for challenges, struggles and problems. It is often in the midst of a challenge that God is most real. This Thanksgiving weekend do more than … More Giving Thanks – Thank You
Below is what I had intended to send out last week but could not because of computer problems. It was also written before I learned that my tumor has not only spread, but is “enraged”. Any additions or changes to the original piece will be in italics. Recently I was reading John Maxwell’s book “Intentional … More I Am Going To Live Until I Die
“To every thing there is a season, and a time…” For years, some of my favorite words from scripture have been Ecclesiates 3:1-8. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die”. A time to die will come for … More A Special Message
Twice I have taken part in events to raise money for brain tumor research and been given the title of “Survivor”. I was even given a button to wear that simply read, SURVIVOR. Apparently, a cancer survivor is a person who has or has had cancer and is still alive. Don’t get me wrong, I would … More “Survivor”?
What is a miracle? I believe a miracle is something so great and so amazing that we can only attribute the result to God. Lately, I have heard more people refer to my situation as a miracle in the sense that my tumor was supposed to take my life well over a year ago. Obviously … More A Miracle
Not long ago I was talking to my Occupational Therapist and told her that I had just learned that my tumor appears to have not grown and seems to be dormant. I also told her that I felt that my reaction to the news was strange. Upon hearing this news I was thankful, but told … More Tumor Anxiety
On the last day of September, which also would have been my father’s 85th birthday, I returned to my Alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College to attend a Board meeting. When I rolled into the room I felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle. I realized that it had been a year and a half since … More A Great Day
On one of his regularly scheduled visits, the man who has increasingly become my Spiritual Director, Physical and Occupational therapist also known as my Personal Care Attendant from the Mount Olivet Home was talking to me about one of his favorite subjects – GOD! At the time, I had just been discharged from the hospital. … More An Unseen Hand
Don’t panic! I am O.K. Nothing has changed. I am recovering nicely and am sending out a mid-week devotion because I am developing a backlog of pieces that may never get read. So, for at least a couple of weeks, I will be sending out a mid-week piece. I am not a guy who collects much. … More What Have I Learned?
Last spring Pastor Michael Carlson, my longtime friend, colleague, partner in ministry, and successor to my role as Lead Pastor of St. Andrew’s in Mahtomedi asked me to come back and preach. When Pastor Carlson asked me to preach, I wanted to come but I was in a quandry. Last winter I had reasoned that … More Are You All In?
Pastor John Hogenson 