I turn 75 tomorrow. I don’t feel old or irrelevant, although my culture may tell me otherwise. Older, more savvy friends and pastoral mentors shared with Wayne and me in our early 40’s that life doesn’t even get really fun and rich until your fifties. That was a bit of experiential advice that I put…
Tag: Christianity
Terror and Beauty
I pause with reverence on the balcony of my hotel room in the Holy City. Across from me stands the New Gate, and my eyes follow Jerusalem’s ancient walls as far as I can see. The golden Dome of the Rock faintly gleams as dawn peaks its way up and over the horizon and walls….
The next time you want to shake your fist at God…
It is essential in our walk with God to understand him as a consuming fire. Most consider our Creator and his acts toward humankind to center around judgment or discipline. That he is ever-watching from heaven to smash our plans or even our lives. But the consuming fire of the Holy One of Israel and…
Slow-Smoked Meat
Outside the barbecue smokehouse, a tattered flag waves, “Tr*mp W0n.” Apparently this theory does not effect the good eats inside. “It takes time to get the flavor just right—you can’t hurry,” said the smokehouse owner with a slow southern drawl. People flock from miles around to tickle their palates with southern barbecue favorites. Not a…
To Safe Haven Inch-by-Inch
Hurricane Harvey, summer of 2017. We are sick of hearing about it, and we are not. It’s heart wrenching and heartwarming at once. On August 22, the wind howled while the black stormy sky dumped 50 inches of rain in the Houston area. Some heeded warnings and “got of of Dodge” in time, while others…
No Time to Fish
After the death of Jesus, the disciples went fishing. They had put their hope in Jesus as a political liberator, and it seemed He did not in fact liberate them. The Jewish people strained under Roman rule, and they wanted freedom and change NOW. Their dreams had been dashed, destroyed on the death tree… and…
Craving…
…Silence I am behind in everything. My house really needs to be cleaned, not just touched up. My laundry is chasing me around the room. And I have a newsletter, cover letter, thank you letter, appeal, update, and much more to write. Still… I am avoiding it all today… taking my deadlines to the brink. (I’ll be…
‘I Come to the Garden Alone’
I have beautiful memories of singing this old hymn as a child in my home church, with the lights low, a great settling of peace, and sensing the sweetness of the presence of God sweeping the sanctuary. King David wrote in the book of Psalm that God resides with those who praise Him. Any place…
Memories of Europe…
We had such a great time on our recent trip to Europe… I keep going over the scenes and experiences in my mind. Relationships are just too precious for words.
Atmosphere Changers!
A few years ago, quite a few years ago, I was trying to lose a few pounds by running. I mapped out and followed a trail that sent me by a construction working crew. I chose that path because it was flat and smooth, and I could run along unimpeded and build up some steam. I did, in fact, lose some…
Bonnie Saul Wilks 