“Grafted In” In horticulture, the term grafting means the joining of a section of one tree (the scion) into the trunk, or life force, of another tree (the rootstock) with the result of them becoming one tree bearing the characteristics of both. The scion determines the fruit type, while the rootstock influences tree size and other such characteristics. This technique is used to propagate specific fruit varieties, as most fruit trees don’t come true to seed, and cuttings don’t... Read more
Poppies for Memorial Day Where did they go? A couple of weeks ago, Marty and I reminisced about “back in the day” when people would stand at busy intersections on the Friday before Memorial Day and sell little paper poppies for any donation to help the veterans. Neither one of us had observed it happening in years. Then last Friday, just like a memory had been conjured back into life, he was driving through a small community near us, and... Read more
“Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost” I usually talk to graduates about the quotation, “All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost” (J. R. R. Tolkien from The Fellowship of the Ring). I usually concentrate on the first half, advising them not to judge by what they see on the surface, but God has given me a new revelation in the second half of the quote: “Not all those who wander... Read more
Noah, the Flood, and PTSD Yesterday, I watched the incredible production of Noah from Sight and Sound. What an amazing experience! It included very good actors, music and dancing, beautiful and detailed sets, and many, many live animals. What a production! Somehow, watching the action with an enhanced but believable backstory made me think more about the man, Noah– “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, [who] walked faithfully with God.” How did someone with a resume... Read more
Words we don’t expect to hear: Jesus was not where He was supposed to be. John 20:1-7: “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have... Read more
An Extraordinary, Exquisite Passion Tale: “The Dream of the Rood.” It is the season for considering the Passion of Christ. There are so many ways to tell the tale that changed the world. In my opinion, one of the most extraordinary and exquisite narratives outside of scripture is “The Dream of the Rood.” “The Dream of the Rood” dates back to the Old English period. Its author is unknown, altough some have suggested Caedmon or Cynewulf. The Vercelli Book,... Read more
You’re [Still] a Good Man, Charlie Brown Two weeks ago, I had the honor to direct my school’s first spring musical: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. It was quite an experience. We had a very young cast, and having never done a musical, they were unfamiliar and uncomfortable with the singing (that was not choir) and dancing. In the end, they were wonderful! And even though we were pulling rabbits out of our hats at the last moment,... Read more
Palms A History in a Coco-nut Shell The versatile palm tree has been used by people since the dawn of time for food, shade, shelter, and decoration, not to mention all the items like baskets and rope that can be made from twisting and weaving it. When we think of Palm Sunday, we think of palm branches or fronds waving in the hands of people and covering the pathway of Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem. Curiosity got to me this... Read more
Eight and a Half Miles in Nashville And Why I Recommend It I recently had the honor of visiting Nashville,Tennessee for the National High School Show Choir Finals in which my granddaughter’s choir from Auburn, Alabama was competing. The event was held at none other than the Grand Ole Opry. Having never been to Nashville before, I anticipated an adventure, and I was not disappointed. However, my sixty-eight-year-old feet were not quite prepared for what was on the horizon: eight... Read more
Sometimes the Best Response to God is to Make Haste We are all quite familiar with the fact that we can find rest and peace in Jesus. He promises us that. Words we use are abide in Him, stand firm, be steadfast. However, sometimes God has a different message, a different plan, and a different method. Sometimes the best response to God is to Go! Hurry! Make haste! Don’t Make Haste … Sometimes There are scriptures that warn... Read more
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