Our flag does not fly because the wind blows it – it flies with the last breath of every soldier who died defending it. Unknown I am a a 5 Blue Star Mother. While that title is quite daunting, I hope against hope that I never become a Gold Star Mother. Gold Star families have given the ultimate sacrifice. Their loved one. Over the years of being a military mom, I have written poems, sang songs and played music for... Read more
“I Dwell in Possibility.” Emily Dickinson Catharsis: The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. Have You Ever Heard the Story of the Man Who Prayed for Help? Have you ever read the story of the man who prayed for help during a particularly terrible storm? He was a devout man who considered himself close to God. A canoe came by to help and the man said, “I am praying for God to save me.”... Read more
A beautiful lady is an accident of nature. A beautiful old lady is a work of art. Louis Nizer Do You Remember the Old Church Cookbooks? If you have attended church for some time, you might recall all the little church ladies putting together a church cookbook. Growing up in a staunch died in the wool Baptist church, the casseroles and recipes were amazing. There were funeral potatoes, you know the ones with the corn flakes on top, slathered in... Read more
“We witness other people’s storms from the shelter of our own perspectives. Let’s be mindful that we don’t add the cold rain of judgment to their already soaked spirits.” Liz Newman When I read this quote I was reminded of a very dark time in my life. I was a teen mom in a small very religious town in the 90’s. To say that I was judged was an understatement. My emotions ran the gamut. Shame, utter loneliness, desperation, fear,... Read more
“Try not to be a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” Albert Einstein Mother’s Day is fast upon us. Some people dread this day, perhaps because of a difficult relationship. Others dread he day due to the loss of their mother. Or, their relationship with their mother is strained in some way. To those who struggle, may you find peace on this day. To those who long for children, my prayers for you. I... Read more
Jesus Traveled Where Some Dare Not Travel Picture if you will Jesus, traveling purposefully into Samaria to meet someone. In his time, it was unheard of for a Jew to travel through Samaria. Much like the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area, there is a straight shot through Atlanta traveling I-75 South. If you are a local person, the thought of driving through downtown brings a collective sigh. It’s crowded, it’s confusing to those who aren’t locals, and it’s just a mess.... Read more
Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” Anne Lamott As a church pianist, I prepare music each week for the Sunday service. This week as I thumbed through the hymnal to find a piece to arrange, a particular song caught my eye. It is a piece that is in a minor (sad sounding) key. I had not heard it sung in quite some time. The name of the... Read more
The Gift of Your Six “It takes 6-8 pallbearers to lift you up when you’re deceased. Imagine what you can accomplish if you had 6-8 people lifting you up while you are living.” Unknown Where is Your Community? Today I was both the singer and accompanist for a funeral of a member of my church. Funerals in general are not really the most pleasant of occasions to be sure. To add to that, last weekend I also attended a funeral... Read more
“Love doesn’t sit there like a stone; it has to be made like bread, remade all the time, made new.” Ursula K. Le Guin Break bread together. A sign of peace. A slither of butter to give those taste buds sweet relief. Toast the bread, eat it warm, eat it cool with jam. What does bread represent? Bread represents every human. Bread is broken together in friendship and in strife. Bread sustains and nourishes. The bread can keep you... Read more
If you have been a believer for a long time, you can probably say The Lord’s Prayer by heart. There are other passages that come to mind, John 3:16, Genesis 1:1 and most likely Psalm 23. You have probably read those passages for years and years. Another passage that immediately comes to mind is The Beatitudes. How many times have you read them? When Christ gave his sermon on the mount he gave us this beautiful soliloquy of scripture. My... Read more
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