Personal Writings

Category

Spiritual Sickness

I have felt fairly sick since Friday but seem to be turning a corner. All physical illness–like spiritual and psychological illness–seems to exist on a continuum. When something is wrong in our physical bodies, we start to notice symptoms. And then we try to interpret the symptoms–their severity, or find a possible cause. I’ve had four days now wondering why I was feeling great Thursday, working for an extended time outdoors and indoors that involved significant physical work, cumulating with...

The Violent Soul

This afternoon I pulled in front of the little pharmacy in East Berlin, PA to drop off two packages for UPS pickup. As I was unloading, my ears noticed the nearby church bells were playing a hymn that I’ve recently come to love and I thought it was an unusual selection to hear beautifully reverberating through the little main street of the town. I paused to listen long enough to confirm that it was playing “We’re Marching to Zion (Beautiful,...

RIPTIDE!

One day last week I had a day where one very particular interaction with someone dear left me feeling rather suddenly I was in a no-win situation, in some respects. Quickly, I plummeted internally with a variety of emotions from frustration to anger to a sense of loss, fear and futility…before long, every other task or situation before me (or inside of me or surrounding me) had the same feeling of being some type of confusing, exhausting no-win situation. I...

42. And Other Personal, Supernatural, Natural Coincidences…

I seem to often see little signs—some possible meaning or most often, a sense of being supernaturally seen, especially when alone, that leads to a sense of God’s presence with me–though I don’t go looking for such signs. But, I suppose I’m always searching for meaning, and connection, and some link between my own, small existence and the God of the universe. When I consider something possibly to be some sign of His presence with me in some way, it...

“Are You a Doctor?”

Sometimes I just have to laugh! Today, seemed to be my lucky day for being asked unusual questions in public and in private. I was standing at the register of the Dollar General, a bit distracted by my thoughts about writing this blog piece. My total for a mere 3 pounds of cat food and a bottle of bath soap was $14. As my payment was processing and the woman and I stood there waiting on the computer, the clerk...

From the Ends of the Earth

Rabbit holes and fox holesFrom deep within I come up for a moment of airAnd I call out to Him Hear my cry, O God;    listen to my prayer.From the ends of the earth I call to you,    I call as my heart grows faint;    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.For you have been my refuge,    a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.For you, God, have heard my...

Funeral For a Tree

Last week my son postponed his visit here by a day after learning that a great tree had fallen. He made the pilgrimage to see this massive 400-year-old white oak tree, and said that “lots of people have been trickling out all day paying their respects.” It is right that such a community landmark that has metaphorically seen so many humans come and go should be noticed when it finally comes down. This tree was not visited nor mourned by...

The Luxury of Surviving Today

Somewhere between (and inclusive of) that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and every possible bible verse that addresses hardships, sufferings, loss and survival (perseverance), is the thought that in a sense, literally/figuratively surviving today is a luxury that many people do not have. We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out. Daily, there are those on this earth (and all that have gone before us) that literally won’t physically or otherwise survive today. These...