Back in August, some of us in ACTS XXIX had a chance to take part in a retreat with leaders of the campus ministry down at LSU. It was a grace-filled time to see what the Lord is doing at Christ the King (the student parish), and to watch the power of the gospel give new-found confidence to many of the young men and women present. On our way home, we had a chance to stop at the World War II Museum in New Orleans, one of the best and most moving I’ve been blessed to visit. As our time was short, we focused our attention on the D-Day exhibit.

Like many, our ACTS XXIX family is eagerly looking forward to Season 3 of The Chosen. I have personally found Jonathan Roumie’s portrayal of Jesus to be the best I have ever seen, and it has actually deeply informed the way I pray. I have always prayed, especially with Scripture, in a very visual manner, using my imagination to enter into whatever passage is before me. This past Sunday was a particularly graced experience of prayer for me.

It’s the day after Election Day, but at the time of this writing many results are still unknown. That said, as believers, there are things that are known, and foremost among them is the striking truth that these very eyes, with which I see this keyboard, and the ones with which you are reading, will one day see God! And His eyes shall behold us as we stand naked before Him. As many of us eagerly await the final results of yesterday’s voting, this sobering truth is proving, at least for me, a very helpful way to keep first things first.

This past week we were blessed to be present at The Good News Conference co-produced by Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire and Corporate Travel Services (a fantastic family-organization led by dear friends of ACTS XXIX). The theme of the Conference was Beauty, and we offered a word entitled “The Beauty of Hope.”

I say a “word” because we believe that what most of us need right now aren’t talks, inspiring though they may be, are words from the Lord — messages He wants to deliver to us. And, thanks be to God, He is more eager to give them than we are to hear them.