Good morning... "Steve and I have had a good time of connecting about our day," I texted my friend at 9:02 yesterday morning. "Here is what we have come up with." "Steve is leading communion at Kairos at 10:00 am, the vibrant little Presbyterian church off 285 on Riverside Dr.," I explained. "After that service, we plan to [...]
Good morning... Today is November 1st, the day the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits are set to expire for millions of vulnerable Americans. A 2023 report revealed that, of food stamp recipients in our country, about 39% were children, 20% were elderly, and 10% were non-elderly individuals with a disability. Though [...]
Good morning... I had not talked to my friend from Minnesota since the beginning of the summer, so we had a lot of catching up to do. As we shared a phone call this week, I got teary as I told her about putting our dog, Tate, to sleep in June. Tears surprisingly still flowed as I heard [...]
Good morning... "The awareness of my condition moved through me like a wind," writes Sue Monk Kidd on page 128 of God's Joyful Surprise. 'God, I know that You are here even now with Your love,' I prayed silently. 'I have been absent, unaware, sleepwalking through Your glorious presence. Please, God, help me learn to be present to [...]
Good morning... Referring to our new golden retriever puppy, a friend texted this weekend, "I love the thought of Cami being a precious pearl." From Sunday to Sunday, I have spent the first week of her life with us stringing puppy pearls on the single strand of God's loving presence. The pearl necklace being created is too exquisite [...]
Good morning... In yesterday's post, I had shared with you Sue Monk Kidd's words, "Each moment of our day holds the possibility of encountering God's love. I have tried to think of these moments as pearls strung on one holy string of God's presence." All morning long, my mind continued her thinking about stringing daily pearls of God's [...]
Good morning... A friend sent me a thought-provoking quote by Albert Camus, and I wondered to myself, "Who is Albert Camus?" I googled my question and learned these facts from Wikipedia. "Albert Camus was a French philosopher, novelist, author, dramatist, journalist, world federalist, and political activist. He was the recipient of the 1957 Nobel Prize in Literature at [...]
Good morning... Tomorrow, our faithful family at Northside Church is celebrating 75 fertile years of sharing the love of Christ. I love the logo designed by our talented Creative Art department, especially the winding river of stones pouring through the centered cross of Christ. This "river of life" adorns the floor in Northside's sacred prayer chapel. I believe [...]
Good morning... My parents wake in Ohio awaiting Thursday's doctor visit, hoping for positive scan results and a clear treatment plan for my dad's prostate cancer. The DeShetler family and college friends wake at Notre Dame following last night's moving mass which honored the eternal life of Audrey. This morning, fifteen women recovering from homelessness and addiction wake [...]
Good morning... As I parked my car at PAWkids, my favorite non-profit downtown, I hesitated a moment. Looking down, I saw the word love living in the gravel. At a time in our world where turmoil abounds, I hesitated and noticed love. My mind now returns to a Mary Oliver poem. ****** Don't Hesitate If you suddenly and [...]
