“We may find ourselves drawn to creative expression because it taps into what is most vital and alive in us. This burning in our blood seeks expression in the world, whether through art, song, cooking, gardening, our work, relationships, or in our presence to others. Becoming fire means saying yes to life by the very way we live.”
— Christine Valters Paintner, PhD Water, Wind, Earth, & Fire: The Practice of Praying with the Elements
Heartbreaking and true… these are God’s children… they must not remain invisible to us!
Thrown Away
As we were talking to some of our homeless friends on the street yesterday I saw a young man shivering and walking down the middle of the street. He has the name of an archangel.
“I have some coats, gloves and beanies. Do you need anything?”
“Yeah, I’ll take anything. I just got here.”
“Where are you going?” I ask after we outfit him with some warmer clothes.
“I’m going to the hills,” he says.
“It’s still freezing at night. Do you have a sleeping bag or blanket?” I ask.
“No, I have nothing,” he says.
We direct him toward a place that gives out sleeping bags. I hand him my last backpack with some food, water, gloves, and beanie. He puts on two coats.
His eyes are unfocused and seem in shock. We say goodbye.
Later I…
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The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
Thank you Lord, for the beauty of this Lord’s day
For wonderful worship and fellowship
For time to study and prepare for officer training
For time to simply be with my sweetheart
For time spent enjoying music and friendship
For all of these gifts, I thank you, Lord
Now, as my eyelids grow heavy
I lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
Wise words from Ronnie!
“WIWAK” is an anagram for, “When I Was A Kid.” I’ve discovered that one repeats it with even greater frequency as one grows older. Prefacing a comment with “WIWAK,” serves a two-fold purpose: It challenges the foolishness of the current age (Surely, we were never as empty-headed as today’s youth). And second, it makes old-timers nostalgic, reminiscing over days gone by (Note: I do not include myself as an “old-timer;” I continue to relish my mid-life status).
Still, “WIWAK,” life did indeed seem simpler. I could leave on my single-speed bicycle on a summer day and roam for miles unimpeded, so long as I got home before the front porch light was flipped on at dusk. No phones. No texts. No check-ins.
“WIWAK,” there were no rubber pellets lining the playground for our safety. If you fell, it hurt. You “rubbed some dirt on it” and carried on. “WIWAK,” we…
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A poignant reflection, Shirley ❣️
My older brother and I were in our teens when we decided to explore the shoreline in an area we were not familiar with. Our fishing jaunt was not going well and the forested land intrigued us. Our search uncovered an old cemetery overgrown with weeds. We were fascinated as we looked through the tombstones, all but forgotten in this out-of-the-way place. The problem was, we were so engrossed in our exploring that we didn’t notice clouds rolling in. A sharp clap of thunder told us we needed to hurry back.
By then, the storm was coming quickly. We had almost three miles of lake to cover and nowhere to stop. After attempting to outrace the storm, we realized about two-thirds of the way home we needed to find some shelter quickly. Wind and rain picked up, lightning flashed, thunder boomed. We knew enough to get out…
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The sun has set and the Vesper Lights flicker and glow
At the end of a long, yet fruitful day
We were blessed by fellowship and wonderful music
Now, as our weary hearts and souls prepare for sleep
As our eyelids grow heavy
We lift this humble prayer to you
Dona Nobis Pacem
Grant Us Peace
A wee prayer from the heart of your Padre…
