Christian spiritual life requires discipline. At least, that is what I keep reading from various authorities, and what I am experiencing in my own life. It is not possible, for most of us at least–certainly for me–to grow spiritually without regular, preferably daily, focus and effort. This effort takes time. Prayer needs to be more than [...]
Archive for the ‘Church’ Category
Nothing Sweeter
May 3, 2012
May the Great Name of God Be Exalted
April 26, 2012
We all know God is not a Christian, right? Or least most of us know that. I was given fresh proof on Tuesday at the funeral for Leatrice Round, beloved mother of my friend Ivan. At the funeral home, I met Nick Bliley, one of the Bliley Brothers who have operated funeral homes in Richmond for [...]
She Lives! She Lives!
April 19, 2012
A friend invited me to an AA meeting on Easter Sunday–not because she thought I needed help to overcome alcohol problem, but because she wanted me to hear her story. I was honored to be asked, and I am so glad I went. I have known this woman for some years, as a faithful member [...]
More Network, or Not?
March 16, 2012
I appreciate much about various new technologies. I am well “synched”with my wonderful iPhone. I love texting, including sending prayers to church members (what I call “prxting”). Face Time with my granddaughter Juna every week is a major high point. I use email a lot–from my PC and my phone. I Skype with my daughter in [...]
A New King? Please!
January 16, 2012
On this day set aside to honor Dr. King, I am reminded how bereft we are of leaders of his stature. We really need the moral compass he provided. The strongest voices in our nation these days seem to belong to those whose primary values focus on money–getting more, keeping what they have, avoiding paying [...]
Care for Some Split Pea Soup?
December 22, 2011
I made some split pea soup the other day. I usually make some at Christmas time. I do so in remembrance of a time when I was still a young child in Sunday School at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Milford, Michigan. It was the year that we had no money in our home–my father [...]
Falling Short–Again
November 10, 2011
I have never been a big Joe Paterno fan. He always seemed too driven to win–but then so did Vince Lombardi, Woody Hayes, and a host of other coaches, both professional and college. Still, I am sad to see him fall. He did some good along the way. So far, the story seems to be [...]
When Good Things Happen . . . .
October 19, 2011
Two great things have happened to me this week. I signed up for Medicare (Parts A & B). . . . wasn’t easy. The bureaucratic channels are not all that straight forward, but I succeeded–well almost. I’m still waiting on my official Medicate number (my social security number and a letter of the alphabet to [...]
WOW!
October 13, 2011
I have had a crazy few days. I think today will be no exception to what the past several days have been. It is almost as if after a quiet birthday on Monday, God, or the universe, turned up the speed on the treadmill and said, “Get a move on it, buster!” And yet, in [...]
Go, Emily!
October 12, 2011
I talked to my daughter Emily last evening. She is teaching in a Montessori school in Mexico City. It is her first year teaching and it is rough. She enjoys the work–it feels like her life’s work–but it is very hard. I have never known a first-year teacher who did not feel that way. Her [...]
