Uncategorized – Page 28 – Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings

Borders

The word “borders” can stir up many different feelings. Growing up in N. Ireland the Border was something you did not cross and in my teenage years it was heavily patrolled! At primary school a border was what you ruled on both sides of the page and kept your writing within. As I played racquetContinue reading “Borders”

On Eagles’ Wings

One of the most majestic of birds, if not the most majestic, is the Golden Eagle. Here, in nearby Bernheim Forest, Kentucky, a pair of golden eagles have been tagged and traced over the past 5 years. Athena and Harper have been returning from Manitoba, Canada, to winter in Bernheim. Just this past week theyContinue reading “On Eagles’ Wings”

My heart dances!

These past days have had their fill of waiting expectantly for the signs of spring. Nothing is more pleasing than that first daffodil. Amazingly it has made it through the winter and survived under recent blankets of snow and frost. At last it stands in full display sharing its beauty and color for all whoContinue reading “My heart dances!”

“The waves run up the shore”

The novel No Great Mischief, which is set in Canada, tells a story through the relationship of two brothers, Alex and Calum, and in part their shared childhood memories in Cape Breton Island. The author, Alistair MacLeod, tackles the conflict between the rise of individualism and family in the post modern world. There are soContinue reading ““The waves run up the shore””

Desert

We are not good at doing nothing. We have difficulty being still for more than a few breaths. The desert landscape is at one and the same time inviting and terrifying. To enter into the desert is to leave behind comforts to embrace uncertainty. Yet the journey into and through the desert is not justContinue reading “Desert”

“…in the deep heart’s core.”

We are half way through our journey of the season of Lent. Not only is spring but Easter itself is just around the corner! Some folks use this season as a time to be more intentional in self reflection and in pondering what is of value and importance in this gift of human life. AtContinue reading ““…in the deep heart’s core.””

“…just around the corner…”

What fun to read Arnold Lobel’s books Frog and Toad to my grandchildren. Yet I have to confess that as I read them, I do so, as much for myself as for those on my lap. Here we are at the beginning of March, surely spring is just around the corner. That was Frog’s thought,Continue reading ““…just around the corner…””

“To sing is to pray twice”

There might be some debate if these words “to sing is to pray twice” are truly words of Augustine. Some suggest they could be attributed to Martin Luther, and on and on it goes! During this pandemic not only are we missing the opportunity to gather together for worship, yet even when two or threeContinue reading ““To sing is to pray twice””

“A serious house on serious earth it is,”

The English poet, Philip Larkin, spent time in the early 1950’s at Queens University Belfast. A favorite week-end pastime was cycling through the countryside. Coming across what appeared an unused church he takes a moment to venture in. Like him we have done it often, pushed the door to see if it opened, and thenContinue reading ““A serious house on serious earth it is,””

A Lighter Touch

I begin each day with a search to find out if the Covid-19 vaccine might be available for my age group. So far, the answer repeats from the previous day, “Not yet.” I ponder “How long?” and then turn to other things. It is amazing how fast the vaccine has been produced and the taskContinue reading “A Lighter Touch”