Robert Frost’s “Birches” has been a long time favorite of mine, probably because it conjures up some special childhood memories of swinging on birches. “So was I once myself a swinger of birches/ And so I dream of going back to be” But it is more than nostalgic verse. At one point Frost states, “ ButContinue reading “Birches”
Tag Archives: God
Of Sheep and Shepherds
There is something special about sheep, something both ancient and pastoral! Perhaps it is because Scripture presents beautiful word pictures of how God shepherds his people. Trusting and obeying the Shepherd’s voice lead to “green pastures” and “still waters”, to fulfillment and security. However, the Psalmist sounds a cautionary note about inattentive, straying sheep because they haveContinue reading “Of Sheep and Shepherds”
Living within the margins…
Boundaries are essential for safe and happy living. Our natural world is guarded by certain principles, and we are fenced in by physical capabilities, intellectual limits, and moral constraints. With few exceptions, reason and conscience restrict human behavior. Our sense of right and wrong enables us to determine conduct which protects us from ourselvesContinue reading “Living within the margins…”
Lilies and Life
While teaching his followers about proper life perspectives, Jesus talked about the importance of being genuine, that seeking approval and self promotion by showing off superficial, self-righteous piety is arrogant and disingenuous, that the distractions of our material world capture our imaginations and desires and divert us from the more important matters of our spirits,Continue reading “Lilies and Life”
Whose Kingdom?
There he perched, King of the Birds, quietly surveying his wintry kingdom while sitting high atop an old dead tree on a little island in Sullivan Harbor. Majestic, magnificent, powerful, and properly feared. Not a gull was in sight! As I watched him, I was reminded of several Old Testament passages which beautifully and poeticallyContinue reading “Whose Kingdom?”
Swiftly fly the years
Another day is ending with a glorious display. Most of us don’t ponder mathematical equations or physical principles when we think about sunsets or “time”. However, since our beginning, “time’s” mysteries and brevity have filled the minds of writers, poets and composers, prophets and preachers, philosophers and scientists— and especially old men! God existsContinue reading “Swiftly fly the years”
Christmas Gift
On the dawn of that first Christmas morning, an unsuspecting world had no idea that a new era had arrived. It was totally unprepared to accept a poor baby born in a Bethlehem stable as “Immanuel”, God with us. But the Christ-child was the visible manifestation of God’s unconditional love for all humanity, a loveContinue reading “Christmas Gift”
Light in the Darkness
The moon, silently reflecting the hiding sun and shining on freshly fallen snow, brightens our world by holding darkness at bay and is a reminder of the first Christmas night which happened “upon a Midnight clear” when “the glory of the Lord shone about” and the light of the Gospel came. The night ,“… whenContinue reading “Light in the Darkness”
On the Fence?
If you have ever attempted walking atop a stone wall, you know that the stones are unevenly positioned. Maintaining balance is untenable and is akin to walking a rail on a railroad track. At some point one finds oneself stepping or falling off on one side or the other. The best way to stay on aContinue reading “On the Fence?”
Thanksgiving Grace!
Turkeys, which had been extinct in Maine since colonial days until they were very successfully reintroduced here in 1977, always remind me of the traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner, of hunting with my Dad, of family gatherings, of reading Henry W. Longfellow’s The Courtship of Miles Standish in the 8th Grade, of pilgrims, of funny hats, and of Native Americans sharingContinue reading “Thanksgiving Grace!”
Sweet Words from Maine 