A couple weeks ago, while listening to Wendell Berry, I decided to stop waiting for the ideal situation and start planting a garden. I’ve realized something about myself since that day. I like to do simple things. Tasks that require hands on practice. And not much research or technical skill. Gardening seems like it should … Continue reading Learning to garden: A repentance from laziness
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The gift of conversation between generations
Photo by Edu Carvalho on Pexels.com When I was little, pre-school, I would hop off the wooden pews every Sunday to make my way over to the place where Clarice Lemley sat. Clarice, was in my mind, exactly Aunt Bee from The Andy Griffith show. She was plump and grey headed and wore flowered dresses. … Continue reading The gift of conversation between generations
How one American suburbanite is trying to foster a healthy local economy
This is my neighborhood. We are people trying to get away from the city just enough to escape the rules and regulations, but not so much that we have drive too far to get to Target. We’re American consumers, blue-collar workers, homemakers, nurses, police officers, small business owners, veterans and retirees. Listening to Wendell Berry … Continue reading How one American suburbanite is trying to foster a healthy local economy
Accepting silence
Photo by Adil on Pexels.com I took a long walk with my German Shephard, Lukas, this evening. The sun is setting earlier. The sky glows with shades of orange and pink and the world seems to cover itself with a honey-kissed filter. I'm drawn out of the house easily on these fall evenings in the … Continue reading Accepting silence
Lessons from my marriage: Three practices to build compassion when we disagree
Photo by Tim Douglas on Pexels.com I listened to Ashley Hales podcast, Finding Holy, the other day. Tish Warren Harrison, the guest, shared her desire to help the Church find a way, "...between capitulation and combativeness," in relating to those who see the world differently than they do. I'm always drawn to discussions about how … Continue reading Lessons from my marriage: Three practices to build compassion when we disagree
Join me to remember
Remembering eternal, historical and experiential truths about God
How four flawed churches helped me love Christ more
Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels.com I’ve been in a church since the week after I was born. Every church I’ve been part of has impacted my life in a unique way. Like an arm is different from the liver, these churches were all very different. Among them were bad teachings. But at each church … Continue reading How four flawed churches helped me love Christ more
On looking up
Photo on Pexels.com An invisible weight presses, keeping me from lifting my head many days. I’m looking down, backing away, shrinking into obscurity, feeling like Naomi, "I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty." (Ruth 1:21) And in those dark, heavy, brow-furrowed days, I've learned to cry out. Lift my head. … Continue reading On looking up
Peacemaking
As much as it depends on me I'll lose, I'll defer, I'll wait. Not because I'm weak, even though I am. Not because I'm less than, even though I happily consider you greater. Not because I'm not able, not willing, not right. But because I want to walk with you through the night. Through the … Continue reading Peacemaking
Three reasons you think you shouldn’t serve in your church’s kids ministry
Photo by Victoria Borodinova on Pexels.com Whether your church calls it family ministry, children's ministry, kids ministry... whatever it's called, here are three reasons people often give for why they shouldn't serve in a ministry that involves children. I propose these three reasons are exactly why you should sign up this Sunday to serve in … Continue reading Three reasons you think you shouldn’t serve in your church’s kids ministry
Sheila Dougal 