Twenty-two hours of driving allowed for a full book’s listening on the way to west Texas. Another twenty-two hours back, another book finished. I loved listening to the snippets of other languages and immigrant accents and that made these books by first generation American authors come alive. Some texts are meant to be read aloud for
Read MoreI am spoiled (in many ways :). But especially that I get to listen to newly recorded NCF music- even before the musicians hear the final version- each Saturday night when Michael uploads music for me to insert into the service. And if I crave a previously-recorded song, I can search it out for worship. But I have
Read MoreLast week, I shared my experience of the barriers to personal charity, how individual impulses of generosity will not accomplish reparations. Today’s story addresses the difficulty of sharing assets. Not to discourage, but to highlight the need for prayerful creativity to work through our defenses. May the Holy Spirit show us a real path toward
Read MoreTurning into my bank, I was chagrined to see steam billowing from beneath the hood of a pickup truck in the parking lot. Yikes. It looked bad. Expensive. The decal on the side advertised a local landscape guy. A black man about my age peered into the engine; the truck was his business. Not mine.
Read MoreVern Fein reliably contacts me in January to promote the MLK prayer breakfast, which will be a virtual event this 36th year. As we will all be brewing our own coffee, this memory reminds us of the unexpected possibilities for personal encounters when we can again be together. Blessings and love to each of you, wherever you are. -Renée
Read MoreHow do we pray for our country? King David was a poet and musician. He broadened the reach of his kingdom through wars and alliances. He was a lover. Of God, of friend, of women. David enjoyed popularity with the people. He knew how to pray. O God, endow the king with Your judgments, the king’s
Read MoreI am so grateful for the poets among us. May this from Laura Lindeman bless you too. -Renée“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…As the shepherds were out living in the fields, keeping watch…” We were Poor in Spirit,Living outdoorsWandering cheerlessAcross the Moors. We were Poor in Spirit,Watching our sheepProtecting
Read MoreI’ve been enjoying thinking about Hannah and Mary today. Juxtaposing the beginning of 1 Samuel with the first chapters of Luke. Two women not yet pregnant. One long married, one just engaged. Both soon with child, singing songs of the Lord’s great mercy. They were ordinary women. At least, that is what resonates with me today.
Read MoreI love Christmas cards. Photos of new babies, pets, and growing kids. Updates and reflections on the past year. Reminders of friends and family spread around the world. We need each other. 2020 has sharpened our awareness of social hunger. For love, laughter, and support. Small gestures of care convey great meaning, and we delight
Read MoreI used to run. Well– jog– though that word went out with the 80s. But pounding the pavement has been tough on my joints, and at some point in the pandemic, I shifted to walking. It’s getting colder. Darker. More than ever, we need to get outside. But my morning exercise walk differs from a
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