It’s so much easier to create a blog post than to make progress on my WIP. That’s a “work in progress” for those of you outside the writing world. It’s even easier to fire off a couple of tweets on Twitter every day. Easier yet, is to waste a couple of hours reading fascinating Twitter … Continue reading This Writing Life
Sharing the Garden
I found these caterpillars feasting on my parsley this week. It was okay with me, because these plants were in their second year. I have already put out new ones for this year anyway. This was a "before" picture of one particular plant. And here are the "during" and "after" shots of the same plant.. … Continue reading Sharing the Garden
Going Home or Coming Home
Lots of kids are going to camp this summer – scout camps, sports camps, academic, arts, and adventure camps, and (I hope) church camps. It may be the first time some children have spent a week away from their families. It may present them with challenging new activities. It may offer a life-changing opportunity, where … Continue reading Going Home or Coming Home
In the Garden
"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses" (C. Austin Miles, 1912. Cokesbury Hymnal #62) There's no dew in my garden this morning. I had to turn the sprinkler on to keep some plants from withering. In spite of the need for rain, the mosquitoes are out looking for … Continue reading In the Garden
Just Bullet Points Today
We celebrate the founding of our country this week and that we still exist as a sovereign nation after it was declared so, 243 years ago. It's never been perfect, nor have our churches or our own families. They're the best we've got, and we try to make them better. As Christians, we remember that … Continue reading Just Bullet Points Today
Liberty in Red, White, and Blue from the Garden
This week in the USA we will celebrate our nation's founding, and the declaration of our liberty from oppression. It has always come at a price. Freedom is a fundamental longing in the human spirit. It is heard in the assertions of a two year old. It rises up in adolescent rebellion. It cries out … Continue reading Liberty in Red, White, and Blue from the Garden
Weighty Words
Let the words of my mouth and my social media posts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Apologies to David for Ps. 19:14) I am aware of the far reaching effects of anything posted on the internet, as well as the heights and depths our words can reach into … Continue reading Weighty Words
Nature’s Way, But I Don’t Have to Like It
Abandoned Home in the Neighborhood. Psalm 84:3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. I watched the baby cardinals from this nest fledge a couple of weeks ago. I’d planned on … Continue reading Nature’s Way, But I Don’t Have to Like It
Alabama, Sweet Home
“My home’s in Alabama, no matter where I lay my head. My home’s in Alabama, Southern born and Southern bred.” (Songwriters: Randy Owen & Teddy Gentry – Recorded by Alabama, 1980) This year (2019) is my state’s Bicentennial, with events from the Gulf of Mexico to the Tennessee River, commemorating Alabama’s 200 years of statehood. … Continue reading Alabama, Sweet Home
Unintended Truth (short post)
I could say so much about this, from so many angles. Literally: For so many churches, the membership has dwindled, and they are selling their buildings because they can no longer afford the upkeep. It's so painful for those who've invested so much in that congregation. Figuratively: The visible institutional church has tried to sell … Continue reading Unintended Truth (short post)
How Many Michaels are Out There?
A ten year old boy sat across the table from me. His teacher sent him to my door two or three times a week. Maybe she thought the school counselor could fix him. Or maybe she needed a break from his challenging behaviors in her classroom. I watched his hands reach for the smiley face … Continue reading How Many Michaels are Out There?
Cemetary Scavenger Hunt
Many years ago when I was younger and a lot more fun, I worked with young people - teenagers and college students. A favorite activity was an evening cemetary scavenger hunt. It's not as macabre as it sounds. I scouted out a church-owned graveyard and made a list of interesting markers. You can find some … Continue reading Cemetary Scavenger Hunt
Back to the Garden
“And we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.” (Woodstock by Joni Mitchell, recorded by Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young) That’s what I need to do – get back to the garden and pull some weeds. The recent rain has refreshed everything, and the weeds are taking full advantage of it. It’s a wild … Continue reading Back to the Garden
All You Need is Chesed
This is one of my favorite Hebrew words. According to Strong’s Concordance, it is found in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) 248 times. Its meaning is rooted in the very nature and character of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it cannot be distilled into a one word translation. Lovingkindness, kindness, steadfast love, … Continue reading All You Need is Chesed
Lord, don’t let me be obnoxious.
I’ve met a lot of obnoxious people. Come on, I know you have too. No, it isn’t nice to label someone that way, but, admit it, there are folks who make you want to turn and go the other direction. Something about their attitude, behavior, speech, or the way they present themselves is just unbearable. … Continue reading Lord, don’t let me be obnoxious.
Don’t let the face fool you.
Once upon a time, we had a perfect dog. Well, she was pretty close to perfect. When she died, we grieved that loss for quite some time. Then a couple of years ago, we decided it was time to bring another furry companion into our home. Enter Shep. We got him from a breeder of … Continue reading Don’t let the face fool you.
The Transient Nature of Life
Almost nothing lasts forever. Wood rots. Metal rusts. Flowers fade. Fences fall. Buildings crumble. Pets die. So do people. Such is the nature of life in this world. We wish it were not so. I could whine about all the things around our house that have worn out and need to be replaced. Thirty years … Continue reading The Transient Nature of Life
Fruitfulness
My blueberries are getting ripe. A few mornings ago, I noticed just a couple of the green berries had turned red and purple. That afternoon there were a few more. They didn't make it into the house. Yesterday, I had about a cup and a half, but it might have been two cups, had the … Continue reading Fruitfulness
Pick Up The Book
Exclusive use of an on-line Bible is like seeing the world through a porthole. Despite the convenience and variety of translations, there are limitations to those phone-y Bibles. For a quick look-up or if I’m killing time in a waiting room, I’m grateful that technology puts instant access to the Scriptures at my fingertips. But … Continue reading Pick Up The Book
What’s Your Morning Playlist?
I usually like my mornings to be quiet, but some days I need some music. Here are a few of my favorites with a morning theme for early activity. “Lovely Day” - Bill Withers“10,000 Reasons” – Matt Redman“Good Day Sunshine” – The Beatles“Good Morning” – Mandisa and Toby Mac“When the Red, Red Robin Comes…” – … Continue reading What’s Your Morning Playlist?
Carpe Diem (short post)
Daylilies have one day to shine. One day to show what they were created to be. One glorious day. This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 I pray that in this new day, this new week, you can accomplish those things that are … Continue reading Carpe Diem (short post)
Give Shalom a Chance
One of the reasons that Hebrew is such an interesting language is that some of the older words are loaded with meaning. Take shalom, for instance. Most people probably know this translated as peace, and it does mean that – and so much more. I usually end my posts with “Shalom, Dottie.” In Israel, the … Continue reading Give Shalom a Chance
Another Incident
(NOTE: I have edited this post several times to remove what may have been considered objectionable content. I am appalled by the violence we see daily, but primarily see it as a spiritual issue. Please read further for more explaination.) Did you know that another school shooting occurred yesterday? Of course we are saddened and … Continue reading Another Incident
Come With Me to the Garden
I enjoy working in my yard during these perfect Spring days. Summer is coming soon, and the unbearable Gulf Coast heat and humidity will limit my desire to do what needs to be done. So for now, I'm enjoying the weekly changes and surprises as different flowers are in bloom, and long-forgotten plants are springing … Continue reading Come With Me to the Garden
