This past week ten members of the congregation that I serve Desert Streams Lutheran Church traveled to the Navajo Evangelical Lutheran Mission on a mission trip. The mission is located in Rock Point, Arizona, which is in the four corners area. It is a six hour drive for us, and for those of us who […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
A World Without Hell
Have you ever thought what your life would be like without hell? The existence of hell is being questioned with growing frequency. What was once thought to be a “given,” is being examined and reexamined. An increasing number of people are coming to the conclusion that hell is a mere figment of humankind’s imagination. Of […]
A Helpful Map for the Journey
When a person begins a journey, it is usually helpful to consult one or two maps. Maps provide the traveler with a general path to follow and a little understanding of the terrain. A person doesn’t need to stay on the path all of the time. There are going to be opportunities to go exploring and head off […]
Incorporating Four Wholistic Lenten Habits
The Easter celebrations are over; the songs that so stirred our hearts and souls are fading. Lent has come to an end. The various disciplines that we chose have been completed—or possibly abandoned. We now look forward to the weeks and months ahead. One of the questions that I think we should ask ourselves at […]
Holy Week Thought #2 — Good Friday
Here are a few Good Friday factoids for you. Good Friday has been around since the beginning of the church. For the first three centuries, Christians commemorated Jesus’ death every Friday. (Friday Fish Fries are only distantly related to this church phenomenon.) In the early fourth century, the Friday before Easter was designated as the […]
Packing Holy Week Items pt.1
As I journey down the path toward a sane faith, I want to travel light. I don’t want to pack any religious rituals that I’m tempted to do just because I’ve always been told to do them. Nor do I want to pack a lot of preconceived notions. I don’t, however want to leave something […]
In Praise of Routines
Wow, Lent if flying by and Easter looms ahead! How have you been in developing your Lenten habits? For me, I’ve come to appreciate the routine. Things have been rather topsy-turvy in my part of the world lately. It has been difficult to discipline myself to practice thankfulness, express appreciation, eat fruits and vegetables, and […]
Continuing the Lenten Journey
How’s your Lenten journey going? Has it slipped by without notice, or have you felt your relationship with God being refreshed and renewed? I’m a tad late posting this blog this week. I attended a three day retreat entitled, “The Courage to Live Authentically,” Monday through Wednesday. I’ll write a later blog describing my experience. […]
We Have a Story to Tell
The bookshelves are full of tomes that condemn the Christian Church and predict its demise. The decline in membership is proof positive that the end is near. In this milieu, it is refreshing to read a book that believes the Christian faith can and will have a positive impact on our society and the world. […]
Got Lent?
We’ve progressed 1 ½ weeks into the season of Lent. In a previous post I shared four wholistic Lenten habits that I am cultivating during the Lenten season. Are you doing anything in particular to make these forty days a significant time in your life? I promised that I’d report my progress […]