Pause to Ponder

Slowing Down

Today
I lift up and give thanks for the
slowing down that comes with my aging

The soul of this older body
delighting to go slow and savor
rather than speed up and accomplish

Blessed to rest in and contemplate the good in my life I take time to carefully choose rather than rush off to the next place to go and thing to do

Orange Moon

An orange moon appears, it’s light having to pass through more pollution and smoke than usual
just to get my attention

And what is the message sister moon has worked hard this night to deliver? Is her’s a stark warning
or a harbinger of positive things to come?

While mirroring the positivity and life-giving rays of the sun, might her orange also reflect impatience with my slow and shaky reply to Mother Earth’s cry?

Advent

It takes work
to wait
for what we long for most


It takes practice
to prepare
the way of the Lord

Take heart

in your waiting 

God is at work!


Join a faith community this Advent
and plan to attend a
candle light service on Christmas Eve

Thankful for Peace

In this season of Thanksgiving
with a hint of peace restored
in war-torn regions of the Middle East

I am thankful for peace that passes all understanding,
ours to enjoy no matter what, and ours to offer others
no matter who or what in this world they stand for

“Oh Lord, may you ordain peace for us, for indeed, all that we have done, you have done for us.”
Isaiah 26:22

“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11

Good Heart Tones

So, the Great Physician calls
not with loud hollers of threat and condemnation
but with a still, quiet voice, gently calling me
by name, assuring me, I am loved

Guiding me daily in rhythm with the heart of life,
sending me out again today
with good news that does wonders
for anyone willing to listen.

From poem “Good Heart Tones” in Called to be Alive!

Balance

At this time and at my age
any sense of balance
is a taste of victory!

Healing from heart surgery
at home this week,
I find this to be most certainly true!

And from where do I believe my balance comes?
Surely from the Maker who guides all
toward stability and well-being

Called to be Alive Class of ‘69

Class of 69, called to be alive! 😊🎶
Getting ready to head back to Dubuque, Iowa where Carol and I will gather with classmates and significant others for our Class of 69’s 55th high school reunion. Yes indeed! It’s time to reunite! Our reunion band is getting ready to play and sing some favorites when we gather with other classmates at Eagle Point Park Friday night, Sept 27th.