1st Corinthians 12: 12-27 “Who would like to lead us in some Christmas carols?” John, our pastor, stood up front with the microphone, trying to marshal everyone’s attention. It was Christmas Eve, and excitement filled the air. “Joel’s a really good singer,” Amy called out. Joel grinned and walked toward the front of the church. [...]
In morning prayer today, my friends and I centered our lectio time on Psalm 25:1-10. The verses that shimmered for me were from the beginning of verse 5: “Ease me down the path of your truth. Feed me your word” (The Voice). I sank into silence to be met by images of being fed. I [...]
More magazine, which I enjoy for its insightful articles, has a monthly column: one month it is entitled “This is What 40 Looks Like,” the next, “This is What 50 Looks Like.” It always includes a picture of a beautiful woman and a bio extolling all of the wonderful things her life includes, changing stereotypes [...]
The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech and night to night declares knowledge Psalm 19:1-2 I’m sitting on the deck, meditating, when a wren’s raucous song jolts me back to earth. Open your eyes, she cries. Open your eyes! I open my [...]
Wally and I spent the night last night in New Harmony, Indiana. He had business in the area, and I came along for the ride because we both needed a break in the action, and we wanted to spend some time together. New Harmony truly is one of those “thin spaces” the Celts talk about—a [...]
Don’t you love the way God sometimes brings a book into your life at the very moment you need it? A couple of years ago I picked up Joyce Rupp’s book, Praying Our Goodbyes, thinking I would give it to a friend who was grieving the loss of her mother. It ended up under a [...]
Epiphany: (1) : a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure. (Miriam Webster Dictionary) Today I slept in (9:45 am!) read the Enquirer, answered e-mails, [...]
I sit on the deck, the morning sun warming the back of my head, and listen to a choir of birds and cicadas as I drink my cup of tea. My silk robe softly flaps around my legs as a cool breeze blows in from the east. The sky is summer blue, and wispy white [...]
We watch the moon rise, Mommy and me. Outside, she saw it coming. She crashed through the screen door to fetch me, grabbing my hand and hurrying me up Benton Avenue for a better view. It hangs at the end of the street, a giant peach in the night sky, bigger than a house—bigger than [...]
Lost One diamond ring 25th anniversary gift Antique filigree setting Priceless I feel naked Vulnerable Exposed Out of sorts Angry I’m quick to blame Joel, resident Tidy-upper, Tucker of found objects Into hard-to-find places On hands and knees With flashlight I search Under couches, beds, dressers, In baskets, drawers, cupboards, Behind wardrobes, desks, bookcases Sadness [...]