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Today’s post is a bit different. Once a year I pause to address some of the questions I hear most often from readers.
Where do you get the ideas for the subjects you address?
Everywhere. I enjoy books, so many of the ideas spring from whatever I happen to be reading. I’m especially drawn to science and history. Pop culture also has a way of sneaking in. It helps to have a file of sermons and presentations from my 40-plus years as a pastor. Some of my favorite reflections have been inspired by chance conversations or email banter with readers.
Do you listen to audio books?
I do. In fact, more than half the books I experience in a given year come via Amazon Audible. I’m frequently asked if listening to a book “counts” as reading that book. I always say, “Absolutely.” It took me a few years to adjust to the way I access a book’s contents – there’s definitely a transition from the eye to the ear. Along the way it was also important to develop a means of taking notes and retaining facts. I can add that I think it’s especially compelling when a writer chooses to read his or her own book. For me, that significantly deepens my connection with the author.
Do you use ChatGPT or another A.I. composition program?
I don’t. While I am among those who view artificial intelligence as a wonderful asset (and feel hopeful about its future), relying on A.I. to compose reflections feels to me like cheating. I believe readers expect to hear from a living, breathing, fellow disciple, not an algorithm. Besides, doing original research is at least half the fun.
Do you write a host of reflections in advance, or take it one day at a time?
I’ve never been able to write very far ahead. It takes about 2-3 hours to compose a reflection, which is something I usually do during the afternoon or the evening of the day before I send it.
Do you have an editor, a proofreader, and tech support?
I wear the first two hats. All the mistakes, misquotes, and misunderstandings are mine. I’m delighted to say that I get top drawer tech support and website design from my son Mark and from J.K. Stewart, without whom I would still be wandering in the techno-wilderness of the 20th century.
How many people are on the receiving end of the reflections every morning?
Our best estimate is somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 readers. That takes into account the many subscribers who acknowledge they regularly forward the reflections to family members, friends, and co-workers.
Does that mean I have permission to send them on to others?
Definitely. In fact, I hope you feel led to do so. All the reflections are meant to be shared, reposted, or used as illustrations in any context where they might be useful. An insightful author once said that God’s gifts come to us because they are on their way to someone else. I don’t see myself as someone blessed with many “original ideas,” but rather as a gatherer and compiler of some of the useful insights that have come to all of us from God’s people throughout the ages. Morning Reflections are just a way of making some of those insights more widely available.
How did Morning Reflections begin?
For nine years (2011-2020) I had the privilege of being the Director of Mission Integration (think “workplace pastor”) for about a thousand Indianapolis-based associates of Ascension, one of America’s largest healthcare corporations. At the beginning of December 2012, I realized that many of those employees knew next to nothing about the historical and spiritual roots of the Christmas season. After experimenting with a month of “morning reflections” leading up to December 25, my boss, Lee Coulter, graciously asked if I wanted to keep writing in January. Things took off from there. Morning Reflections became a stand-alone ministry when I retired from Ascension in 2020.
Is that why reflections only come out on weekdays?
Exactly. The Monday-through-Friday format was originally intended to serve the workplace.
Any plans to include Saturday and Sunday in the future?
None at this time. I’ve come to cherish my two-day weekend “sabbath.” It provides a welcome chance to recharge and reload.
Do you serve on the staff of a local church?
I’m formally retired from congregational leadership. From time to time I’m asked to preach or teach at local churches. Otherwise, I spend most of my waking hours with Mary Sue taking care of our five-acre horse farm near Lebanon, Indiana.
What can you tell us about your animals?
We have four horses, all rescues. One is a thoroughbred mare who is retired from the racetrack. The other three are mustangs (two geldings and a mare) – free-range horses from Nevada and Wyoming rounded up by the Bureau of Land Management. Our daughter Katy, a certified trainer, purchased them from the government via online auctions. I am not a rider, but I’ve become quite skilled with a muck rake and wheelbarrow. We also have eight cats (two indoors and six in the barn and beyond). As you can imagine, there aren’t many mice in our neighborhood. Some of you are no doubt thinking, “That’s eight cats too many.” But we cherish every one of them.
Is there a new series coming this fall?
Yes. Each reflection in November will focus on one of the “1:1” verses of the Bible – chapter one, verse one of either an Old Testament or New Testament book. It’s fascinating to discover how much theological content and inspiration can be packed into one of those opening sentences. Then, in December, we’ll tackle a series related to Advent and Christmas.
Do you feel hopeful about the state of Christianity in America?
Followers of Jesus are called to be the world’s most hopeful people, something we see in Paul’s wish for his readers: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). From a human perspective, however, this feels like a transitional moment for the North American church. Mainline Protestant denominations continue their steady decline in numbers and influence. Conservative and evangelical groups remain gridlocked in culture wars concerning politics, the age of the Earth, and what constitutes a family. Catholics, while celebrating the election of an American pope, continue to struggle to regain the trust of parishioners after pervasive priestly scandals. While research indicates that the long slide in national church attendance seems finally to have leveled off, many congregations are still trying to find their footing (and regain their former attendance) following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is there a new Reformation or revival on the horizon?
God alone knows! Let’s hope and pray that the Spirit provides just such a gift in the very near future.
What happens if I suddenly stop receiving the reflections?
Great question. The most likely scenario is that your computer, because of automatic updates, has shunted the reflections into your junk folder. So always look first at your spam. It’s also possible that you’ve been unsubscribed, either by an accidental keystroke at your end or through the deliberate action of someone to whom you forwarded a reflection. It is required by law that bulk email distributions include a link for unsubscribing. If you forward a post and that person decides, “I don’t really want to receive any more of these” and hits the “unsubscribe” link, they’ve actually just knocked you off the Reflection distribution list. That happens to at least a handful of people every week.
How can I prevent that?
Before you send any forwards, delete the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the post. That is perfectly legal when forwarding emails. And if you yourself want to get back on to the distribution list? Just send me that request at glenn@glennsreflections.com.
Is it possible to contact you personally?
Of course! It’s easy. All you have to do is hit Reply to any reflection, or leave a message in the Contact section of my website – the link appears at the end of every post. I connect with a number of readers every day (including weekends), and I enjoy interacting on a host of subjects.
How are things on the business side of Morning Reflections Inc?
We’re doing well. I can’t thank you enough for your incredible generosity.
Any last thoughts?
There are no words to express what a joy it is to know that when I hit Send early in the morning, this stream of electrons is somehow, by God’s grace, helping connect all of us for his ultimate purposes. Without you, there would be no ministry. Thanks for your prayers. And thanks for your partnership in this ongoing work.
Glenn McDonald
September 2025