Easter – Sweet Words from Maine

Has Easter Dawned?

The miracle of creation’s first light emerges every morning in a blend of beauty and mystery. The lifting mists slowly unveil the day’s reality. So it was on Resurrection morning for Jesus’ disciples. Comprehension of the enigma and meaning of the man who had died nailed to a Roman cross between two scoundrels slowlyContinue reading “Has Easter Dawned?”

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?”

Unending Beauty

We think of beauty as a quality of someone or something that visually pleases us. Whether or not beauty is intrinsic to something, the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” implies that beauty is subject to personal aesthetics, appreciations, preferences or interests. That also allows certain intangibles such as music or aContinue reading “Unending Beauty”

all shepherds we…

Like the shepherds, we … anxious, waiting, wrapped in Bethlehem’s darkness listening for circling wolves… unseen, lurking, howling, threatening, fearsome, snarling… imagined phantoms of loss, impossibilities, hurt, grief, shame terrifying death… Like the shepherds we… Waiting, Waiting, Waiting… for the dawn. Have we not heard the angel? Fear not! Immanuel! God is here! A SaviorContinue reading “all shepherds we…”

Mountain Movers

In Mark 11:22-25, Jesus made the interesting claim that it is possible to move a mountain if one has faith! He provided context to that statement by saying belief (in God’s good character and sovereign will) and prayer are two critical factors in this amazing power of faith. Then Jesus tossed another crucial ingredient intoContinue reading “Mountain Movers”

Mountain Movers

Mountains Movers

Blood, Sweat and Tears

The idiom “blood, sweat and tears” is usually associated with hard work and not with poultry! That saying has often been attributed to Winston Church in his address to the UK in 1940 and was also the name of a 1960’s brass-jazz-rock group. But the term predates Mr. Churchill and rock bands. It was usedContinue reading “Blood, Sweat and Tears”

What is Your View?

It is interesting how our perceptions of places, events, or ideas depend on our interests and the angles from which we look. There are many influencers on how we view life, ranging from family and social environments and cultural mores to the values we learn in our schools and churches and synagogues. These either hauntContinue reading “What is Your View?”

Treachery’s Anguish — Shakespeare, King David and Jesus

“Blow, blow, thou winter wind.” That was my Grandmother’s lament on cold, windy, winter days and the only line I remember from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” However, those words had a different meaning when sung by Shakespearean actors. They were a simile for the bitter disappointment of a relationship ruined by disloyalty: “Blow, blow, thouContinue reading “Treachery’s Anguish — Shakespeare, King David and Jesus”