Today is the Vernal Equinox, the First Day of Spring. In Chicago, Illinois, the equinox is on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at exactly 10:49 pm CDT. This is “the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator while tilting towards from the observer.” (Wikionary) Who knew? The equinox (an awesome Scrabble word, by…
Month: March 2020
Find the Helpers
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Fred Rogers Who are the helpers?*Hospital workers treating patients even at their own risk.*Government officials making and enforcing hard, unpopular decisions.*Scientists laboring feverishly…
Saint Patrick’s Day
Today, everyone is Irish! He [God] watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Saint Patrick ********** The Prayer of St. Patrick I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light…
Learning Experience
I fell and hit my head hard – twice in one week. I don’t recommend it, but it’s been a learning experience. First, I tripped over the open dishwasher door, slamming my head into the cabinets. My only injury was a small cut. Days later I fell off the pantry stool, again hitting my head….
5 Days until Spring
For me, there are several signs of spring: *Daylight Saving Time leaves me a grouchy mess.Check. It takes about a week to reset my internal clock. (sigh) *The spring bulbs start to come up.Check: I already see little green shoots. *The mallards return.Check: Each year a pair of mallard ducks visit the bird feeders in…
Contentment
Nine Requisites for Contented Living: Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor. Love enough…
More Than
We are all more than a fragment of time in our lives.” I pulled this sentence from an article in the Washington Post. The author had followed three elderly people for some time to write a story about their relationships. When the article was finished, however, she remained in touch, because they were more than…
Supply
(From my Journal dated 5/8/18) Jenna was invited to go to Champaign over Memorial Day weekend to play bridge with some of her long-time friends. She agreed to go, figuring it would cost about $300. I felt that it was something she really should do, but with property taxes just around the corner, knew I…
Psalm 28: 6-9
6 I praise you, Lord, for answering my prayers.7 You are my strong shield, and I trust you completely.You have helped me, and I will celebrate and thank you in song. 8 You give strength to your people, Lord, and you save and protect your chosen ones.9 Come save us and bless us. Be our shepherd and always carry us in…
Lost and Found
Jesus did not give the parables to teach us how to live. He gave them, I believe, to correct our notions about who God is and who God loves. Philip Yancey Parable of the Lost Sheep Even with 100 sheep, the Shepherd immediately realized one was missing. Perhaps it had been distracted, wandered away, or…