AN AUTUMN WALK

The fields spread out in every direction.  Grass waves and rustles, whispering a mysterious song  as the wind blows through it. Autumn smells fill the air:  Hints of pine, tamarac, sage;  spice mixed with sweetness. Warm sunshine touches face and arms, only to be chased away by crisp breath. The sky is made of blue

IF YOU COULD

If you could go anywhere, Where would you be? High in the mountains; On a ship out at sea? If you could be anyone, Would that be you? As you know yourself; Or created anew? If you made any changes, Would you improve, Or just redesign The one known as you? As for me, I’m

LET YOUR HEART SOAR

“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.” A.W. Toser

RAINY EVENING

I stand on the porch. Raindrops fall with quiet gentleness, Stroking my face; Running their fingers through my hair; Dancing on my shoulders. Their fragrance is sweet. Their pungent mix intoxicates me; Comforts my soul, Delivers my mind from noisy thoughts Until I’m still within. Coolness holds me close, Enfolding me in soft, breezy arms;

MUSIC

Music is the language of the heart That speaks in tones That words alone Could never begin to express. Such passion and emotion are shared Laughter and tears; Great joys and fears Come from the depths of human souls. Music is Heaven’s language as well As angels sing To God our King All worship and

BUILT TO HEAL

When we fall and skin a knee, it takes a day or two; then there’s a scab.  Before we know it, the wound is gone. Some wounds take longer.  A broken leg needs more time than a cut finger; neurological injuries take at least two years. so it is with the human soul.  There are

SIMPLE THINGS

Years ago, when I was taking a course in spiritual growth and development, we learned about a practice called “Focused caring.”  It works like this: What major issue(s) really tug at your heart?  Is it world hunger?  The environment?  Workers’ rights?  The list is long. Once you have identified the concern that will get your

LAUGH YOURSELF WELL

I was looking through some articles I had found in preparation for a workshop on wellness.  One of them was a cross-cultural study that measured the effects of laughter on well-being.  It reminded me of an old bit of wisdom:  “A merry heart does good like a medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22) There  are bunches of articles

THINKING ABOUT CHANGE

I have been in a season of change.  I find myself pondering how this aspect of life becomes so important.  It is interesting to consider, for example, how we can resist it and want it, all at the same time.  Then there are matters of foolishness and wisdom, such as wanting change so much, we

SEPTEMBER

Summer is winding down: Evening comes sooner; Preparations for winter happen in earnest; Teachers and students are back at the ol’ grind! Everybody knows that Months will be colder for a while; Blizzards and rainstorms will brew, Enveloping the world in white blankets, Running over into streets. Soon enough, however, Everything will start to awaken,