My grandfather was born in 1866, a mere three months after the end of the Civil War; long before the first light bulb or automobile. The telephone wouldn't make its appearance for ten more years. And he carried a simple slate to school in the one-room schoolhouse in rural Maine. That slate sits in my … Continue reading My Grandfather’s Slate
The 10%
You came home from work today, excited to tell me who was there and what you did. You dropped your backpack by the front door and gave me a long hug before washing your hands to eat and change for basketball practice. You are one of the 10%. 60% to 90%* of your peers are … Continue reading The 10%
Resurrection People
Lent is a tradition in some churches where worshippers conduct some sort of fast, or abstinence, during the 40 days leading up to Easter. It begins with a ceremony where the worshipper has ashes smudged on their forehead, signifying death. It’s meant to focus the heart on repentance and sorrow for sin. But when I … Continue reading Resurrection People
Why Did the Angels Leave?
Sometimes I wonder why angels left the love and beauty of heaven. How could they abandon such goodness? They were created into wholeness and perfection, surrounded by glory, given power and purpose. And yet, the Bible tells us that a third of them gave it all up to follow Satan and his cruel ways. Adam … Continue reading Why Did the Angels Leave?
A Box of Our Own
“It must be him.” His eyes shifted to the messenger standing uncertainly in the doorway, his mind spinning frantically at the memories. Of the party, the dancing. His foolish oath. “It must be John the Baptist, risen from the dead!” The messenger bowed and backed away as Herod clenched his fist. Herod, who had killed … Continue reading A Box of Our Own
The Middle of Somewhere
I live in the Middle of Nowhere. Well, kind of—depending on where you're from, I guess. I live in the land of lakes and forests on the far northern edge of America, far from everything that makes the nightly news. Our newspaper is filled with high school sports and fishing reports rather than shootings and … Continue reading The Middle of Somewhere
Jesus First
As we start to gain a bit of traction in this new year, a trend keeps popping up online: choosing a word for the year. This idea isn't new, but has become more prevalent lately. The exercise of finding your word is meant to guide you; to keep you focused on your goals. In the … Continue reading Jesus First
You Never Know
Here we are in 2025. Are you as surprised as I am? And truthfully, are you afraid of what’s coming our way in this next year? The dawning of a new year used to bring hope. Determination to do better. Plans to make it our best year yet. But ever since Covid-19 upended the world, … Continue reading You Never Know
The Line Between
We know the story, don't we? An innocent peasant girl, a heroic fiance, and angel visitations. Peculiar starlight. We hold our children close, paging through brightly colored storybooks, reminding them of the miracle of the baby in the manger. “Silent night, holy night”, we sing, clutching candles in the dark. Its a beautiful story. A … Continue reading The Line Between
We Thank You, Lord
For peace that keeps our hearts soft in a raging world; for ferns unfurling in the forest damp; for a glance and smile across the aisle, we thank you, Lord. For comfort that strengthens us in the face of fear; for ancient words that nestle deep; for moonlight’s caress in midnight hours, we thank you, … Continue reading We Thank You, Lord
A View of the Lake 