(From my “Too good to delete” email file, dated Aug 28, 2008) Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not…
Category: A Faith in Process
Notes from the Journey
“Before They Call…”
My 94-year-old mother moved at the beginning of March. Her new apartment, on the top floor of the same building, is much larger. Although she approached the process with anxious trepidation, the move went about as smoothly as these things generally do. But at the end, she was left with boxes and boxes and boxes……
A Broken Remote
God is great even when things in this world are bad. His power is shown so clearly when He makes good come from even the worst situations. Unknown Something is wrong with the “remote control” of my life. The only button that works every time is “pause.” I want to “rewind” to better days, but…
Rainbows
All of my windows have suncatchers in them, each one with a chandelier pendant that casts rainbows all around the room when the sun’s rays hit them. I love rainbows. That’s why all my window have suncatchers. Some mornings, though, when I open the curtains, I accidently set the suncatchers to swinging wildly. And while…
The Feeding Place
Hunter loves canned cat food. At 5 PM (he hears the specific birdsong from the Audubon clocks), he goes to the Feeding Place to wait in expectation. Hunter is messy, though, and doesn’t always eat “over his plate.” Even with a placemat he flicks food onto the floor. I didn’t worry too much about it….
In Times of Trouble
Psalm 46 Living Bible (TLB) God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. 2 And so we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble! Trouble? We’ve got it. Are we endangered? God…
Great Truths
For All Ages (From an old email too good to delete!) GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED: 1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats. 2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair. 3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her…
Laughter
Medicine for What Ails Us “Laugh, and the world laughs with you: Weep, and you weep alone. For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox Ain’t that the truth! Let’s consider laughter’s benefits: > It lowers the levels of at least four stress hormones….
Living in the Shadow
We live within the shadow of the Almighty, sheltered by the God who is above all gods. Psalm 91:1 Living Bible (TLB) Not what you expected? But the truth is we do live in the shadow of the Almighty, not in the shadow of fear and uncertainty. Unless we choose to. 2 This I declare, that…
Going Out with Joy
For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace…Isaiah 55:12a New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Yesterday I suggested prayers for the homes of those who are “sheltering in place.” But not everyone can stay home. To those whose jobs provide necessary community support, a big Thank You. We couldn’t get through this…