Yearning
Homesick for? What are you homesick for? Or, possibly, who are you homesick for? Some I know at Messiah are homesick for the way things used to be before the Pandemic. They speak of how it used to be, how many people they miss, how they long for it to be that way it was. This shows us that homesickness doesn’t have to be only for a place. It can be for relationships.
Close to Home
Advent and anticipation come hand in hand. There is something to be said for anticipation, whether in the Carly Simon song “Anticipation,” or in a church sanctuary. The serenity of the sanctuary when winter is near, when all is silent, and when anticipation hangs in the candle-lit air awaiting Christmas Eve. When “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” will soon change to “O Come All Ye Faithful.”
Skyscrapers
My friend Bob Skinner has an extremely knowledgeable eight-year-old grandson, Liam. He is fascinated with tall buildings, and seems to know everything about the tallest buildings, not only in this country, but the whole world.
An Embroidered Hanky
In each of the readings for this Sunday, November 7, 2021, (Isaiah 25: 6-9, Revelation 21: 1 - 6a, and John 11: 32 – 44), tears are mentioned. When I think of crying, I think of my grandmother who always had a hanky she had embroidered tucked into her sleeve.
Kindness Brings Tears
When life gets tough, sometimes it is all we have to cling to: the kindness of others. That kindness is exemplified in the kindness Jesus showed to others, even when he did not have to be kind–like when he called to Zacchaeus. He could have simply walked on by; but Jesus took the time to notice him, greet him, and say he would have dinner at his house.
“Memories Bring Back You”
Today I remember the deeds of the Lord through Todd touching the lives of so many with laughter, joy, even philosophical discussions above my head, and God’s love!
Boundless Compassion
Recently I was in Nebraska for a continuing education event, “Boundless Compassion." One of the takeaways from this training was how at times we just have to do something fun, even something that is outside of our comfort zone...
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church New Palestine, Indiana
Cross of Grace Lutheran Church in New Palestine, in an adjacent county to Indianapolis, has a contemporary labyrinth on the lawn next to the church. It looked like the dancing woman style of labyrinth when I first viewed it from a satellite image.
Cumberland First Baptist Church Cumberland, Indiana
Cumberland First Baptist Church in “Historic Old Town Cumberland”, a charming little section on the far edge of Indianapolis, was my next stop on my “Living Light” labyrinth retreat. This labyrinth is an eleven-circuit medieval Chartres design with grass borders and a mulch path in a beautiful setting.
Rivoli Park Labyrinth Indianapolis, Indiana
“LIVING LIGHT: Shine Among Them Like Stars in the Sky” is the overall theme of the weeklong labyrinth retreat that I created. Each day I plan to visit two or three labyrinths and contemplate their significance in my life at this time. There is a theme for the day and Bible verses associated with it. Today’s theme is “LIVING humbly, making our lives LIGHT” based on Luke 9:3 and Hebrews 12:1-2. One of the three labyrinths I visited, carrying this theme with me, was the Rivoli Neighborhood Park Labyrinth in Indianapolis’ 10th and Sherman neighborhood, a contemporary design with a Triune focus.
Labyrinth Retreat
Walking labyrinths is a spiritual discipline that speaks to, and energizes, my body and soul. I wanted to go away on a retreat, one centered around labyrinths; however, there was no “safe” place available to do it. So, I decided to create my own personal retreat, based out of my apartment, with the help of a wonderfully wise labyrinth facilitator and a dear friend cooking all my meals.
Squirrels of Hope
Where have you seen hope in your world? That was the question posed in the Advent worship service this past Wednesday evening. My reply to this “hope” question was in the squirrels across the street on the church lawn. They seem to have claimed it all as their parish!
Practice Hope
Sharing hope with others with our words and actions follows God’s practice of encouraging and creating change for good.. How can we do this each day? For me, one thing will be handwriting uplifting notes to others.
Romans 12:12 tells us: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Your Life Matters
all our lives do matter. Every day we affect people and situations just by our presence, by being there at that moment. Know that the world is immeasurably better just because you are part of it
Outstanding in YOUR Field
…be sure of one thing: all our lives do matter. Every day we affect people and situations just by our presence, by being there at that moment. Know that the world is immeasurably better just because you are part of it.
What?! No Washcloths?!
It was a brief moment creating an enduring memory. We never seem to know when those moments will occur. The other day I ran out of washcloths! For me, that was difficult. Personally, I prefer one clean washcloth and two clean towels a day for my shower. Having put off doing the laundry, dreading hauling it up and down four flights of stairs into that creepy basement, and not planning an “errand” trip, which could have included a stop at the laundromat, I thereby ran out of washcloths.
No Decision Fridays
Each day we make choices that affect the direction of our lives. Well, I try to avoid all decisions on Fridays, as I need a day off from those that I continually make at home, at work, and socially all week long. Anyway, every day when I leave my building for my walk, I have to decide if I’m going right or left.
Peace Walk
Indianapolis’ Cultural Trail’s Peace Walk is just that—peaceful. In the middle of downtown, it is a wonderful little oasis.
Along the walk there are “Luminaries.” I always thought luminaries were candles sitting in sand in a paper bag lit on Christmas Eve. From the Peace Walk I learned how people can be “Luminaries” too. They are people of prominence and personal achievement, but they also light our path and bring us hope.