St. John has rather affectionate and accurate titles for his listeners in the letter we first credit him. “Little children” is found amongst John’s addresses along with “brothers and sisters” and “beloved”. These terms convey a certain fond and compassionate sentiment, even in the midst of John’s stout teaching. The letter is full of robustRead more
This project began as personal reflection during Advent and evolved into something I shared throughout the season. Each day in December I read the scripture passages allotted by the lectionary. Flipping back and forth between pages, my meditation on the words led to penning brief amalgamations of language and imagery – short verses birthed byRead more
In a suburban backyard a boy plays in a plastic pool along with his younger brother while mother looks on. They splash and scream and run around the yard, darting in and out of the water. By noon the pool is three parts water, one part grass. Summer is here and they’re having the timeRead more
Solitude is a blessing with purpose. Retreat is necessary and refreshing, but in excess becomes a denial of our nature that diminishes the soul and starves us of purpose. During the 19th century, naturalist John Muir spent inordinate amounts of time in the wilderness of America’s West and Alaskan coasts. His writing betrays an overly pronouncedRead more
My travels this summer brought me back home to England for a family visit. History informs the future, and I delve into mine whenever possible. All Saints Church is a small chapel on the outskirts of Keyworth, Nottinghamshire. I visited the grounds on two occasions – first on a solitary run early in the morning,Read more
Hemingway’s council for writers was never to fully empty the creative well but to always leave something untapped. The little one doesn’t expel grows and upon returning to pen and paper the writer finds plenty has amassed while on furlough. Hemingway understood inspiration. Discipline or pressing on is crucial in any process, but in the endRead more
I was a dreadful speller as a child. I still am. Only in the past year have I truly mastered the correct spelling of the word believe. Thankfully, I’ve gotten my name down pat since this photo was taken. Hours were spent in my elementary school’s learning assistance class taking test after test, trying toRead more