Opinion

My oldest son called, and he asked, “Dad are you and mom ok?” I said, “yes,” They had been watching the local weather on television and they were forecasting big storms for our area. They were predicting high winds, rain, hail, and possible tornadoes.

We can sometimes fail to distinguish between apathy toward God and apathy toward things associated with God. For example, a person may feel unmotivated to participate in worship or Bible study, and may incorrectly conclude that she no longer has a heart for God. This is like saying a person who no longer enjoys sushi has abandoned all desire for food. We fall into such fallacies because we assume God is only accessible through certain activities—things our traditions have labeled “spiritual.” Very often these activities are rich and transformative, but we must remember that they are merely vehicles for communing with God—they are not God himself. In a certain season, if these “spiritual” practices do not help you connect with the Lord, if you find no joy in them over time, wisdom says to seek him a different way.

GUEST COLUMNIST The city of Toronto is in the news for outlawing sled and toboggan riding on 45 of its hillsides. According to the Toronto Star, the ban has sparked a robust debate about how far government should go to protect people from themselves while they’re having fun.

Astandoff at an Eagle Pass park continues as the Department of Homeland Security has sent a second letter to Gov. Greg Abbott demanding access to the Rio Grande park that is now under state control.

Every year about this time my wife and I close out our books for the year. There are usually papers scattered all over and we are busy helping each other to get everything added up. I always hold my breath to see if we have given enough to the Lord. It is our goal, or we try to give at least a tenth of our income. (Psalm 76:11). Several years ago, we were really busy and I didn’t watch our giving and when we totaled our giving we found out we had given very little that year. I felt so ashamed, and I proposed in my heart I didn’t want that to happen again. God has been so good to us, and we want to thank Him and honor Him with our giving. It could even be a way of saying thanks.

To wrestle with faith in God assumes a desire for God exists but remains, at least in some measure, unfulfilled. But what are we to do when we feel no desire—when we no longer wrestle because the fire in our soul for God has been extinguished?

GARDENER’S MAILBAG Dear Neil: After reading your helpful advice for a long while I now fear I need some personally. I had a relatively minor limb cut from my pecan tree less than one year ago.

GUEST COLUMNIST Get this: Gen Z job applicants are bringing their parents to job interviews, reports the New York Post. As it goes, for several decades America’s children have been over-coddled by their “helicopter parents” — parents who zoom in to resolve any challenge their children may face, even as they become adults.