I brew a cup of Darjeeling, then slather a toasted sourdough English muffin with butter. I spoon on some homemade strawberry freezer jam, enough to drip down my chin when I take a bite. The white wooden porch swing hangs from rusted chains and creak-squeaks as I settle into it. It’s hot already, but it’s […]
You Can Dish it Out, But . . .
My grandparents owned a small restaurant called the Airport Grill in Waters, an eye blink of a town a couple miles up the road. And yes, there was an “airfield” right behind it. “Field” being the key word. I don’t remember any concrete runway nor anything but a small private plane or a National Guard […]
Scripture Sunday: Mouth Open and Panting
Every word you give me is a miracle word– how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. Turn my way, look kindly on me as you always do to those who […]
Still Saturday: When Talkativeness Prevails
Silence is nothing else but waiting for God’s Word and coming from God’s Word with a blessing. But everybody knows that this is something that needs to be practiced and learned, in these days when talkativeness prevails. Real silence, real stillness, really holding one’s tongue comes only as the sober consequence of spiritual stillness. […]
Epiphany on the Porch
I’ve taken to the porch this morning with a cup of coffee and my camera. It’s supposed to be over 100 today, and I can feel the humidity rising. But there’s a breeze, and it’s comfortable. I love this porch. I don’t think I could ever live anywhere again without one. We added this […]
Melting Moments
Mounds of blueberry fluff float in a cotton candy sky kiss embrace become one and spill over into swirling tongues that lick the horizon in melting moments. Raised from the archives.
For When You’re Unexpecting
I know something’s up when the usher hands me a scrap of green ribbon. It’s not like our pastor hasn’t told us to expect the unexpected. That’s the title of this month’s sermon series, after all. And he believes in fun. I’m hoping this is fun. We find a seat front and center, our […]
Scripture Sunday: A Huge Round of Applause!
Let’s hear it from Sky With Earth joining in, And a huge round of applause from Sea. Psalm 96:11 (Message) Applause, everyone! Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs! God Most High is stunning, astride land and ocean. Psalm 47:1-2 (Message) Joining the applause and the wave of overflowing gratitude toward our […]
Still Saturday: So We Might Know Him
In a culture where busyness is a fetish and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest he invites us to enter more fully so that we might know him more deeply. “Be still, and know that I am God.” Some knowing is never pursued, only […]
Dancing With Julia–Or Not
We went to the symphony on our first date and then somewhere for a bite to eat. I ordered a shrimp salad. A bit extravagant, probably, but I thought he was rich. His parents drove a Mercedes, after all, even though they were farm folk. I remember how he encircled my right hand with his […]
