Attic Wisdom

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’veContinueContinue 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 callsContinueContinue 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 admittedContinueContinue 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-ChristianContinueContinue 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 likeContinueContinue reading “The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep””

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 lockedContinueContinue 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 ofContinueContinue 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 CreatorContinueContinue 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 theContinueContinue reading “Antoni Gaudi’s Faith”

A Reflection on Palms and Lent

In this transitional time between seasons, as the harshness of winter is left behind and the hope of spring begins to bloom, we have journeyed together from ashes to hope. So many faith traditions present us with an opportunity to journey within and assess who we really are at the center of our being whereContinueContinue reading “A Reflection on Palms and Lent”