Personal Writings

Category

The Right Way

Is it possible to go the wrong way or to have gone the wrong way in the right manner? Yesterday (as in many days) I again noticed my lace curtains in the dining room were dingy and dusty at the top. I decided to remove and wash them, and then noticed how clouded my windows were, having a white film on them. I decided that since the curtains were down I should do this isolated betterment of just those windows/curtains...

God, Flies, and European Hornets

(written to 9/6/23 to 9/14/23)When one is alone, a lot of things can start to feel worthy of writing about. Or at least thinking about. Or at least coming up with a grabbing title… I seem to have (or possibly create) odd-and-or-interesting experiences. And I dream dreams…sometimes…the very odd, memorable dream. The kind of dream that seems unconnected to eating jalapenos before bed or re-hashing the day’s events and images during the night. Back in late July or early August...

When God Sees Us (When We See Him Not)

Today I was listening to the Psalms and a verse got my attention. And tonight, I had an object lesson that will better enable my expression here. The verse was Psalm 32:8, and I have selected three different translations below, with the first being what I was listening to in my Old Testament audiobook. “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (NRSV) “I will instruct you...

The Literal Meaning of the Word “Hopeless”

Shortly after my first divorce was final I recall a friend visiting me and I felt so depressed I literally decided, during the conversation, to lay face down on the floor. I just felt I couldn’t take any more, and I stated that I felt “hopeless.” The friend then argued with me along the lines that because I was still trying and still attempting to figure things out, I couldn’t possibly be “hopeless.” Because, the word “hope” and “less” when...

To What Purpose Am I Being So Crushed?

I was in bed unusually early (for me) around 10 pm, because I came home from my day’s activities feeling absolutely crushed. After some sleep, I’ve been laying awake for about an hour and it is around 4:10 am. My rooster has begun to crow. I look around my room at various things on my walls, and I feel so many, many weights of so many sorts I cannot even articulate. I think about God, and I wonder where He...

Naked Suffering

This morning, from under a cloud of the heavy weight of suffering, I think of God. I can’t say I particular feel God right now, but I do think of Him. Some soul sufferings and wounds are such that they can only be seen when we are undressed; battle wounds not visible through whatever type of “uniform” we wear to cover up. I think of the verse that says we aren’t given more than we can bear:“No temptation has overtaken...