For some reason, I’m thinking about solitude. Maybe because I crave it right now. There are times when life becomes overwhelming, and I need to process the “stuff” that’s on my mind. Right now, it’s grief for three deaths which have affected me in the last month, and the solitude of others left behind when there are empty places at the table and even worse, empty places in the heart of relationships. Then there are vicarious struggles of my children…..
When I’m thinking, as I have been lately, about the world being too much with me, that war talk is abhorrent, that cruelty and evil invade my living room through the TV’s “entertainment,” that the prayer list of illness and suffering grows longer each day, and that I feel impotent to solve the problems and challenges of those near and dear to me, now I look for joy and comfort.
I turn to the Psalmist who reminds me that God…..
I’m busy writing my next book, Bless You Bouquets, in which I recount the ten homes we’ve lived in, the gardens I’ve nurtured, and the people who have blessed my life. I make Bless You Bouquets often for people’s birthdays, as get well gifts, and sometimes just to brighten people’s days. They’re not elaborate, just a few sprigs of greenery, a couple of pretty flowers, with stems wrapped in wet paper towels, aluminum foil, a paper doily, and ribbon. It’s…..
This is a repost of a blog I read today. It is a response piece to Miley Cyrus’s performance at the music awards last weekend. I applaud Clay’s reasoning about music’s power and influence. As most of you know, my children and daughter-in-love are music teachers, and I have actively directed church choirs and children’s choirs. This spoke to me; it has real value for us to contemplate today.
It’s about time. Posted on August 26, 2013 by Read more
Were I to enumerate the blessings for which I am thankful today, I would be engrossed in my next full-length book manuscript. Chief among them this morning is our lovely daughter, Nancy, who blessed our lives with her birth August 23, 1981. At 3:14 a.m., she graced us with her presence, and life has never been the same, thankfully! She joined her eighteen-month-old brother, Paul in fulfilling my all-time dream to marry well, have beautiful and talented children, and live…..
It’s the little things that bless our daily walks in this life.
It’s listening to a new song our congregation will learn this week in worship, presented to us on Facebook and ITunes. Technology is not always as blessing, but joining in worship with Australians Christians praising our Savior touched my heart.
It’s my sleepy kitty finally relaxing after frantically surviving a very close thunderstorm last evening, resting in the forgetfulness of peaceful contentment. We can learn a life lesson…..
Last night our church began a new venture, weekly services on a beachside campus, reaching believers and those who have yet to hear and commit to conservative Christianity. It has taken years, months, days, hours of praying, planning, working, making contacts, and all who attended the first formal service were blessed.
In my book, It’s a God Thing!, John Phelps and his young bride undertake just such a venture. Although this was written independently from our Covenant Presbyterian Church’s opening…..
This is a beautiful piece: Letter to My Children, about marriage. I am thankful that Facebook often inspires me to think about the really important things in life, our families, our marriages, our children (married and unmarried), our society, and Christ’s purpose for us in this life. Enjoy.
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Home/ A Letter to My Children About Marriage A Letter to My Children About Marriage February 23, 2012— 6 Comments…..
We all face discouragement and disappointment. Some of it is because of our perceived imperfections, or points of conflict, or times of crisis.
It does not signify a loss of faith, or even a meaningful assessment of the circumstances.
Sometimes, it’s just a temporary episode of what some call a pity party.
Sometimes, it’s a moment of selfish indulgence.
But sometimes, it’s a signatory event or period which demands attention to what’s causing the effect.
In no way do I…..
This was my dad’s birthday, and is my sister’s 16th wedding anniversary. That makes it an even more special day than my usual graceful response that every day is “The day the Lord has made/ Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”
This is what I’ve written about my dad in my new book’s manuscript, Bless You Bouquets, that I’m striving to complete.
My dad, in my Memory Garden, is the row of pine trees which towered over our…..