Gaining a heart of wisdom
Sunday Scripture I have begun to consider listening to the morning news as a spiritual discipline, a small act of patriotism in which I put the good of our country above my own comfort or preferences. I've never been a political animal, but events of the past several years and a fleet of newly minted… Continue reading How Can an Ordinary Citizen Begin to Practice a Radical Patriotism?
Sooner or later, it happens to every church-going man or woman. It's as common as trolls on Twitter, and it happens almost every time we sing: We lie to ourselves, and we lie to God. Whether we're singing a great hymn of the church or something more recent, the lyrics are often aspirational--but not actual.… Continue reading Telling the Truth in Worship Requires Clear and Unclouded Vision
Serving as the substitute teacher on a field trip with a kindergarten class leaves plenty of room for disaster, but I didn't expect to come away from the experience with sadness. We spent a May morning at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and the tulips, peonies, jonquils, and flowering trees were putting on quite a… Continue reading The Power Source for All that You Could Never Be
Sometimes afternoon lands heavy and hard. The morning caffeine has long expired, the daily to-do list looms unfinished, and it’s clear I’m going to run out of energy before I run out of day. That’s when the brownies in the pantry start crooning my name. The open carton of mint chocolate chip in the freezer… Continue reading Celebrate the Glorious Partnership of Willpower and God’s Power
When grown-up sons fly the nest, sometimes the parents take wing as well. Circling the breathtaking terrain and then landing in full view of the Colorado Rockies feels a bit like landing on the moon for eyes accustomed to the gently sloping ranges of Mid-Coast Maine. Look out the window, and there’s Pike’s Peak on… Continue reading Can You Perceive the Glory of God in Your Ordinary Surroundings?
As parents, we want what’s best for our children because we love them. Our perception of what's "best," therefore, shapes our prayers for our kids. We suffer over their failures and rejoice with them when success comes. Sadly, our hearts forget that God’s love for our kids is even deeper than our own. We forget… Continue reading When Your Kids Make Poor Choices, Do You Feel Like a Parenting Failure?
My grandchildren are on their way to becoming good skaters. Confident and eager, they know the ropes, so I was just barely present in the semi-circle of parents and grandparents as we listened to the coach's instructions before the kids hit the ice. I could easily have missed his words: "If you feel like you're… Continue reading Staying on Your Feet is Really All About Grace
Today it's cornmeal rolls, a trip to our auto mechanic... oh, and this post.Yesterday was fourth grade at Union Elementary, roasting a chicken, and making soup.Every day has its list, and I'm sure that's true of you as well. As good citizens of American culture, we're hardwired for productivity, and the checklist serves as both… Continue reading What Does It Mean to Grow in Spiritual Wisdom? (And a Free Guided Meditation)
“I want to keep it handy in case I need it,” she said, matter-of-factly. She wasn’t talking about a flashlight. Not a package of tissues. Not even a cell phone...(They hadn’t been invented in 1978.) She was talking about Isaiah 55. “I liked it,” she went on. “So I memorized it.” Come, all you who are… Continue reading Memorize the Mind of God and See Your Own Mind Changed
I still chuckle when I remember the look of surprise on the faces of kids on the morning after a sleepover when all the Morins would suddenly just burst out singing at the breakfast table. We wanted our kids to learn the hymns of the faith, so we made it part of our routine. When… Continue reading Standing on the Promises is More Active than it Sounds
Living Our Days 