If you’ve ever expected a child, then you know something about the “nesting” period when suddenly you realize, instinctively, that the time is NOW to finish getting the nursery in order, counting the diapers, tidying up the house, and putting extra meals in the freezer because something waiting to be born is coming. Lately, I’veContinue reading "Attic Wisdom"
Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer
We recently returned from western North Carolina where we had the opportunity to visit Lake Junaluska, situated in the heart of a Methodist Camp and Conference Center and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and numerous old shade trees. If ever there were a place to commune with the Divine, by whatever name one callsContinue reading "Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer"
Showing Up When Life Gets Hard
“Life is difficult.” That three-word truth is the sentence that opens The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck’s well-known book integrating spiritual and psychological insights. It doesn’t sound like a welcoming beginning, though it certainly sets the stage for an exploration into spiritual and psychological growth. Admit it. Life is difficult. Once we have admittedContinue reading "Showing Up When Life Gets Hard"
Let There Be Light
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. So begins the story of creation in the Judeo-ChristianContinue reading "Let There Be Light"
The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep”
A time to keep, and a time to throw away. Eccl. 3: 6 A few days ago, we entertained a couple in our home for dinner—a couple we had not seen in well over a year due to the pandemic. On the one hand, the experience felt surreal, and on the other, it felt likeContinue reading "The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep”"
Adjusting to Life After COVID-19
The novelist Alice Walker writes, “Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming.” I find myself reflecting on her advice as I come out of a year of enforced hibernation and squint at the sun in my eyes. Here in the States, and in particular myContinue reading "Adjusting to Life After COVID-19"
The Year that Wasn’t
Recently I had the opportunity, after over a year, to visit a friend and have a cup of tea with her. As we conversed about the ongoing pandemic, she referred to 2020 as “the year that wasn’t.” At first I thought that was a clever and succinct summary of 2020 when the world was lockedContinue reading "The Year that Wasn’t"
A Story by Sadhu Sundar Singh
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. 13:13 Sadhu Sundar Singh was an Indian Christian, evangelist, and mystic who lived in the early part of the 20th century and often trekked through the Himalayan mountains to share the good news of the love ofContinue reading "A Story by Sadhu Sundar Singh"
Hope during Holy Week
Midway through Holy Week, consider the millions, if not billions, of prayers lifted by candleflame through the ages. The steadfastness of the flame offers the comfort of hope as its smoke wafts toward heaven, a visual sign that our prayer is being lifted, noticed, even heard. Our control is released and entrusted to the CreatorContinue reading "Hope during Holy Week"
Antoni Gaudi’s Faith
In 1883, an architect named Antoni Gaudi took over the design of a cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. A Roman Catholic, he had a vision for an extraordinary offering to God, and until his death in 1926, when he was hit by a bus, he saw his work as a sacrifice, made in love to theContinue reading "Antoni Gaudi’s Faith"
Spirit Reflections 