Advent begins tomorrow, November 29th, in this year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2015. One of the features of Advent in many churches is an Advent wreath, with a candle lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. No thanks to … Read more
On author Robin Lee Hatcher's Facebook page, she posted a photo that showed sunflowers that her husband had planted alongside their house. What grabbed my attention was that they grew almost to the eavestrough, but one yellow sunflower … Read more
At ten-plus years of age, my dog, Elliot, lives to eat, sleep, and watch the birds fly to and from the feeders in the front yard. Most of all, he loves his food — it doesn't matter what brand or type. He will even scarf up crumbs from … Read more
I belong to a number of online websites designed to assist a person in finding good books to read. Goodreads promotes the work of writers and sells their books, but also offers a reading challenge to encourage its members to get serious … Read more
As I cruise the posts at Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon looking for a book to hit my fancy, I am often influenced by the choices of others. Their appreciation of a particular work makes me check out the book at the library or buy it … Read more
Snow-shy birds recently back from warmer climates sang me awake to a crystalline glaze frosting every surface. I walked outside with my golden canine companion across crusty puddles that crunched and crackled underfoot. Elliot sniffed … Read more
One winter evening many years ago, when I was in active ministry, we held Bible studies in my home, the church manse, where we read the Bible, prayed, and shared. We often finished our time together with the Lord's Prayer. We gathered in … Read more
In the aftermath of the blizzard, weak rays of sunshine peeked through breaks in gunmetal skies. The grumble of snowplows scraping along roadways in a valiant attempt to free ribbons of asphalt from mounds of blizzard-laid snow blended … Read more
I was a Valentine's Day baby. Thus, every year, my father brought home two boxes of chocolates in heart-shaped boxes, one for my mother, and one for me. How my child's heart loved him for that heart filled with sweets! Fast forward to the … Read more