The Old and The New
Recently, I’ve been thinking about the tension between holding on to the past and embracing the new. The challenge is learning to live with certain things that stay consistent and unwavering, while also welcoming...
Jim's Journal Blog
Social Detox
We live in a world that is noisy and busy. Everywhere we turn, something or someone is clamoring for our time, attention, and resources. It can be our phones, social media, TV, radio, magazines,...
Her Name is Andrea
When someone loses a spouse, there is usually a period of intense mourning and sadness. You’re in shock—overwhelmed and unsure of everything. But at some point, you start to open yourself up to a...
Creation Calls Out
The summer after Covid, when things in Arizona began to open back up, my youngest son Trevor played in a big baseball tournament. It was highly competitive, with teams from several states present. There...
Takeaways from Spain
Today, after 40 days in Spain, I depart. It’s been a terrific experience—one that has exceeded all of my expectations. As I transition to some other locations in Europe before returning home next week,...
Solitude
After I completed my Camino, I stayed in Santiago for a couple of days. I then headed back to Madrid, and from there on to Barcelona. I took the train to a monastery up...
Walking in Wonder
Tomorrow morning, I will wake up and do what I’ve done for the past 30 days. I will get dressed and brush my teeth. Put on my walking shoes. Grab my backpack with all...
A Change in Culture
In my hometown of Quincy, Illinois, there’s a Thanksgiving morning tradition: a run/walk sponsored by the local YMCA. It’s been going on for 45 years. At the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Run, there are two...
When the Ring Comes Off
Yesterday on my walk, I was talking with a woman from the U.S. The flow of the conversation led to our reasons for walking the Camino. I shared with her about my sabbatical and...
The Burdens I Carried
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you.” — Psalm 55:22 One of the most meaningful moments for many pilgrims on the Camino occurs at a place called Cruz de Ferro—the...
A Beacon
Today, I was in a town at a busy intersection, and I got turned around. I couldn’t find any arrows, and I couldn’t discern which of the five possible directions I was supposed to...