Morning Songs of the Heart

Do you ever awaken with your soul singing? Matthew Redman did as he contemplated God’s goodness: “The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning. It’s time to sing your song again” (10,000 Reasons). Perhaps a beautiful dawn was the inspiration for the awaking Psalmist who exclaimed, “This is the day the Lord has made.Continue reading “Morning Songs of the Heart”

Has the Light Gone Out?

I love watching sails slip by this old lighthouse and can easily romanticize its many stories as it sits on Mark island within rowing distance of Winter Harbor, Maine. Sadly, it is now a privately owned landmark and is no longer an active beacon warning, guiding or welcoming weary sailors and fishermen seeking safe harborContinue reading “Has the Light Gone Out?”

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?”

When the Mist Rolls Away

Faith is like lobster fishing before GPS technology. Fishermen used compasses, running times, buoy colors, fog horns, visible land marks, and knowledge of the fishing grounds to find their lobster pots. With that knowledge, they had confidence they would locate their gear even in low visibility. Our belief systems unfold as we weave through foggyContinue reading “When the Mist Rolls Away”

Out With the Old, In With the New!

(In the winter of life, the past remains even though life constantly changes.) “Out with the old, in with the new” is a grand but totally impractical New Year’s expectation! Celebratory gatherings, festive toasts, fireworks, and a few seconds of Auld Lang Syne somehow allow a brief reprieve from the baggage and sadness of theContinue reading “Out With the Old, In With the New!”

Illusions

Have you ever reached a long pursued goal, one which you imagined and idealized and in which you invested time, energy, and dreams? Maybe it was a career move, a promotion, a relationship, an academic degree, some accolade, social status, or wealth? However, the achievement did not meet expectations nor its anticipated happiness! Emptiness, disappointment,Continue reading “Illusions”

The Same Boat!

In the distance, gulls vie for bait as they circle a lobsterman pulling his traps. In the foreground a party boat carries its passengers to a picnic. The photo captures a moment where markedly different lifestyles briefly intersect. An unnoticed man is toiling at back breaking work in a smelly old lobster boat as othersContinue reading “The Same Boat!”

When the Light Changes…

A bright light shines between the thunder storm and the fog. Experiencing life often seems like living within weather patterns. Our joy, our moments of contentment and security are caught between the abrupt and distressing, between storms and mysteries. We are vulnerable to relentless change, some of which is expected and good but frequently isContinue reading “When the Light Changes…”

Lighting the Way

Lighting the way at Prospect Harbor, Maine The Psalmist considered God’s instructions and encouragements to be a blessing. They were true, not to be neglected, or rebelled against but were a “light” in a difficult and harsh world where he groped for meaning. They led to knowledge, understanding, wisdom and the power to live asContinue reading “Lighting the Way”

What is it about Old Boats?

What is it about craggy faces, calloused hands, weathered skin, and old boats with their nicks, dings, and scraps? There is something encouraging about old “things” and old people who are time worn but have weathered well, are scarred but toughened, tried but persistent, tested but enduring. Sometimes faith seems like that! Like an oldContinue reading “What is it about Old Boats?”