Against the grey of a cloudy day,Where shadows dance and drift away,Beside the twisted limbs of the huckleberry tree,Rough in bark, wild and free. There, in stark and vibrant red,A cardinal perched, its majesty spread.Its feathers a flame against the somber hue,A burst of life in the morning dew. I sat enamored, silent, in awe,In … Continue reading A Moment in Crimson
Author: James
Subtly, the Light Grows
Last night, a pivotal moment occurred: the Northern Hemisphere experienced its maximum tilt away from the sun. This celestial event marked the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. Now, as the Earth continues its orbit, we embark on a journey back towards longer days. Today, though subtly, is incrementally longer than yesterday. This … Continue reading Subtly, the Light Grows
Embracing the Darkness: Lessons from the Shortest Days
In the northern hemisphere, we’re approaching the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This shift, a result of the Earth’s axial tilt, isn’t just a celestial event; it’s a poignant reminder of life’s cycles. As daylight wanes and shadows stretch, we often find ourselves contemplating losses, mirroring the diminishing light. Darkness, for … Continue reading Embracing the Darkness: Lessons from the Shortest Days
Advent: Embracing the Arrival
The word ‘advent’ signifies a coming or an arrival. Often, when we consider the church season of Advent, we focus solely on the aspect of anticipation. However, this perspective overlooks the profound reality of what has already transpired, what already exists. We are immersed in the Christic Presence. All that is required is for us … Continue reading Advent: Embracing the Arrival
Get Used to Disappointment
In the iconic sword duel from the movie “The Princess Bride,” Inigo Montoya battles a masked man, admiring his swordsmanship and acrobatics. When Inigo presses for the man’s identity, he’s met with the response, “Get used to disappointment.” This line has resonated with me deeply. Disappointment is essentially the failure of our hopes or expectations … Continue reading Get Used to Disappointment
Desperately Seeking Control
This morning, I awoke to a stark realization: one of my most significant challenges is a desperate quest for control—control over my life and aspects of the larger world that, in my mind, I could manage better than those currently at the helm. Even when I whisper to myself, “I surrender,” there’s a paradox at … Continue reading Desperately Seeking Control
The Cake Incident: A Lesson Beyond Baking
Have you ever felt defined by a mistake, as though a single error could encapsulate your entire identity? It’s common to attach our self-worth to our achievements or failures. Recently, I encountered a similar situation that offered a profound lesson in self-perception and value. The Incident: I love baking; it’s one of my ways to … Continue reading The Cake Incident: A Lesson Beyond Baking
Manifesting Love
Have you ever looked at the world and wondered what your role in its transformation could be? I have recently been observing the state of our world with a sense of growing concern. It's evident in the disarray of our personal, political, social, and international relationships. And when we consider our track record in caring … Continue reading Manifesting Love
Long on this Path
For much of my life, I've been journeying along the spiritual path, following Jesus. Initially, this journey was about "believing" in Jesus as the embodiment of Christ in human form. As someone who finds comfort in intellect, the concept of belief suited me. Over time, I began to see belief as more than an idea; … Continue reading Long on this Path
Embracing the Spirit of Thanksgiving
I've read many posts today from friends and acquaintances expressing their gratitude, and I found myself almost spontaneously listing people and aspects of life for which I am thankful. My son wandered off from the dinner table to call several of his close friends, wishing them a “Happy Thanksgiving” and discovering how they were spending … Continue reading Embracing the Spirit of Thanksgiving










