Beginning a new year is a great time to consider how we view the world, what is central and meaningful to a purposeful life, and how we can live significantly in that dash between our birth date and death. Here in Arlington lie ordinary women and men, many only boys. They honorably served their country,Continue reading “A New Year’s Thought from Arlington”
Tag Archives: death
The Talking Moose….
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you…” (Job 12:7-10) Nature speaks. It sparks moments of wonder about a planet given to usContinue reading “The Talking Moose….”
Is Easter over?
Spring in Maine is a season of renewal and optimism. From the bleak cold, dark, colorless winter, the earth miraculously redresses itself in green and promises rich colors in brilliant hues. Spring’s renewal is derived from the roots and seeds of a prior season and is filled with expectations of familiar fragrances, colors, blossoms, fruit,Continue reading “Is Easter over?”
All or none…
Stonington’s visitors and residents will recognize this familiar scene on its working waterfront. Curiously, this shed like building which has weathered high winds and vicious storms for years appears to be sitting partially on rugged shore rock and partly on a wharf held up by stilts. Christ told a parable about foundational materials on whichContinue reading “All or none…”
Prepared?
The awaited time is now, and “Tide Strider” is ready. After much hard work and heavy lifting, the lobster traps have been stacked onto the wharf. Buoys and gear are on board. The weather is changing. Let the fishing season begin! I wonder how much of life is spent “preparing.” We plan meals, social events,Continue reading “Prepared?”
Planning for Harvest Now?
Although it is still winter here in Maine, gardeners are looking at seed catalogues, and farmers are thinking ahead to spring planting and dreaming about the fruits of their labor. Some Aroostook farmer sowed (and most importantly painstakingly cultivated) this beautiful field of blossoming potato plants shown in the photo. Knowledge of seed types, bestContinue reading “Planning for Harvest Now?”
flight or fight
Perceiving a threat, these spooked wood ducks noisily retreated to a more isolated, protected area down the river. Wired physically, physiologically, and emotionally to either flee or confront threats against bodily harm, we react similarly to difficult circumstances or to spiritual and emotional insults which might endanger our peace and joy or rob us ofContinue reading “flight or fight”
Some Day…
This abandoned boat is a reminder of King Solomon’s lament that “There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after” (Ecclesiastes 1:11)* Does that mean that someday we will be just a moment spent? A still photo sitting on aContinue reading “Some Day…”
Running Shoes and Eagles
Some obscure sage named Agur was so enthralled by the sight of a soaring eagle that he wrote that the way “an eagle glides through the sky” is one of three things that amazed him. (Proverbs 30:18-19) Although this beautiful raptor with its stern, disgruntled, uninviting, disturbingly scary face seems an odd choice, America’s foundingContinue reading “Running Shoes and Eagles”
A Question of Legacy
In a recent article titled “Your Legacy”, Richard Simmons III asked the question , “What do you want to be remembered for?” He said that “Once your earthly life is over, your reputation will become your legacy.” Then he quoted from author David Brooks book The Road to Character in which the author differentiates betweenContinue reading “A Question of Legacy”