Once again, a night of rain. And I’m remembering the lyrics from “Camelot” – “no rain may ever fall till after sundown…” and I’m giving thanks for the redolent fragrance of the summer morning, the bright sunshine that streams through the trees, the sound of last night’s raindrops falling onto the ground as a gentle … Read more
Here’s one way to start the morning. These lyrics from this little chorus, written long ago by Rosalie Yoder, are taken from Psalm 143, a messianic psalm that gives us a look into the heart of Jesus as He endured the Cross for us.“Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning, for in Thee … Read more
Over the past few weeks, our pastor has nourished us with a banquet of scripture on the Love of God. If you haven’t taken the time to listen to his latest sermons, you owe it to yourself to do so. This agape love is so much deeper than our human efforts – startling and challenging. … Read more
It’s lovely. Stuffed animals with fixed grinsDance around a crepe paper Maypole Sunlight filters down through skylightsGlows warm on rosy wallsSparkles on crystal chandeliers. Lilies of the valley weave their spellLilacs and hyacinth soothe the eyesWith lavender softness. Dinner is served.“Cranberry juice or buttermilk?”“Would you like the chicken a la king or the roast beef?”“Vanilla … Read more
MARSTON VILLAGE CORNWALL From the Cotswalds, it’s a half day’s drive to the Cornwall coast, and the supposed site of Tintagel Castle, the center of King Arthur’s reign. At any rate, someone surely did build a castle here at some time. What a beautiful spot this must have been for a castle, high up on … Read more
Biblically speaking, Abraham was all of 75 years old when he made the hike from Ur to Canaan, a distance of maybe 400 miles. So even at our age, we should be okay in modern conveyances, right? Well, it’s a different story from years ago. Just getting out of the house rivals the challenge of … Read more
Early Sunday morning, and darkness still shrouds the Judean hills. The Roman guards stamp their feet and shiver against the chill, longing for the warmth of the sun’s first rays. It’s been a long night. Then suddenly, out of the blackness, the Lion of Judah roars! The earth heaves and trembles with Resurrection power. Satan … Read more
Most of us are familiar with Isaiah 9:6-7; it’s a favorite Christmas text. But notice that the passage starts with the word “FOR”. What is the “for” for? Let’s move back a verse or two and take a listen to the words of the Lord through Isaiah, reaching across some 700 years of time into … Read more
It’s inevitable. Summer’s glory has faded and slanted into autumn’s waning light. We New Englanders feel the change and brace for another winter. We look forward to the first nip of frost, the crunch of a freshly picked apple, the sweet aroma of wood smoke curling upward into the chilling air. Slowly the colors creep … Read more