It’s Back To School Time! It seemed as though the Fourth of July barbecues had hardly cooled off and the fireworks were gone from sight, when the newspapers and television were sprouting commercials for all things back-to-school. What? Come on, let us have some summer before we get backRead More →
Company’s Coming! Come, Lord Jesus, ever blest. Grant thy gifts and be our guest. Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. And let these thy gifts to us be blest. Somehow, these two variations of an old family table prayer have been incorporated into my extended family’s practice. Read More →
Sirens and Crickets “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, butRead More →
How Do I Get There From Here? “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” – Psalm 25:4, 5 A standing joke among manyRead More →
This poem was sent to me by a long-time friend and classmate who was a member of the first seminary class that included women to be ordained into the ministry of the Lutheran Church in America. She’s retired and dealing with some health issues, but continues in ministry through e-mailsRead More →
To Weed or Not To Weed? Well as Shakespeare might say, “Ah, yes. That is the question!” Take a stroll around our church grounds [or perhaps your own yard] and you can spot them here, there, and almost everywhere. Weeds seem to be able to thrive in all types of soil andRead More →
We had a birthday party at our house last night. It wasn’t elaborate, didn’t involve a lot of people, no fancy gifts were given. But it was just what the birthday person wanted, so that’s all that mattered. We sat around the old round oak table, eating, laughing, and simplyRead More →
Let Freedom Ring! This weekend, people all across the country enjoy some time off from their usual work or other responsibilities, and spend some time taking part in traditional Fourth of July activities. A few folks may even stop to reflect on the history and significance of Independence Day. AnotherRead More →
The windows are finally clean! It seems ridiculous that it’s nearly the end of June before I was able to get all the winter grime removed, but it seemed there were many days when it was too hot, too wet, too windy, or too something else, and all seemed likeRead More →
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. For just as the body is one and has many members,Read More →