I recently read " Heart of a Stranger: An Unlikely Rabbi’s Story of Faith, Identity, and Belonging" by Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. As the Senior Rabbi at Central Synagogue in New York, she leads one of …

This time of year, I find Muslim-Christian dialogue especially meaningful because Muslims worldwide love, respect, and revere Jesus; peace be upon him. His spiritual legacy offers Muslims and …

Hello friends! From the Baha’i Writings, here is why we are here:  ”Having created the world and all that liveth and moveth therein, He, through the direct operation of His …

When I was a child, Christmas meant only one thing: driving to Sandpoint, Idaho, to visit my grandparents. I still feel the thrill of those road trips—windows fogged, our family squeezed into a …

David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk and speaker known for his work studying gratitude, once posed a question in a TED Talk on happiness: “Does happiness cause one to be grateful, or does …

We’re on our third dog since we’ve been married, and I think this one has the most personality of them all. Her most excited time is when she knows her family is coming home. Whenever she …

On Monday evening, Sept. 22, Jews all over the world welcomed in our New Year with our holiday, Rosh HaShanah. While some Jewish holidays like Hanukkah and Passover mainly happen with family in …

So the TV reporter says “We need to warn you that the next images and audio are DISTURBING.” I then bolt for the remote to quickly change the channel (to anything!), again, again and …

What does trust mean to you, and do you consider yourself trustworthy? How often we reflect on trust and trustworthiness might be an indicator of how well they’re functioning in our lives. …

In my early twenties, I was an agnostic. I was not angry at God or wrestling with Him; I did not have the time or concern for the question. Life was full. I was married, already had a child, and was …

Well I know a guy.   He and his best bud hung together ALL the time. He was his friend’s wingman. They were inseparable; they did everything together. They defended each other; you mess …

Summer is here, and whether we’re heading out for a short hike, strolling Big Gulch, or gathering around a fire on the beach, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings …

Hello friends! It is only human nature that 1) We much love precious self-determination, precious liberty; and that 2) We don’t much love restrictions and boundaries being put upon us; rather, …

Hajj is considered the largest gathering in the world, with millions of Muslim pilgrims attending annually. This year, it started on the evening of Wednesday, June 4, and goes through Monday, June 9. …

I had the gift of growing up in northeast Washington state, deep in the forested hills of Stevens County. The school bus dropped off my siblings and a few neighbor kids three miles from our house. …

Once upon a time, there was a man who bought a piece of land in the hills of Idaho. He needed water for the meager crops he planned on growing and for the sheep he would tend. He looked all …

At 6:17 a.m.,  something happened that I hope you caught.  The sun rose. According to a quick internet search, that's the exact time sunrise happened in Mukilteo, Washington. I …

We are created in order that we might 1): search for and discover The Directions that lead to heaven on earth, 2): apply those directions in our own lives, and then to 3): enjoy a literally heavenly …

One of my favorite movies to watch when my children were younger was "Remember the Titans.” I loved and admired how a high school football coach, in times of racial tension, worked with …

Editor's note: This column was first published in the Jan. 17, 2023 issue of the Beacon. One of my favorite quotes is from Crawford Loritts. He says, “Greatness is never the product of …