What is that delightful, sweet fragrance emanating from the craggy rocks along winding East TN roadways? It’s springtime in these mountains, and as I head down our road to do the morning care of our 3 goats, I breathe my first scent of honeysuckle deeply and smile gratefully. And what’s the source of this pleasing […]
The mountain of responsibilities seemed a bit more than I could manage effectively. We had just spent a week with family before, during, and after my father-in-law’s death. We shared memories, grief, and conversations, bringing encouragement through the unplanned reunion of the funeral. Our barnyard had just enjoyed the birth of five baby goats, which
OVERCOMING MOUNTAINS Read More »
Why does the Christmas story cause such discord? So what a baby was born in a barn, receiving shepherds and gifts from affluent eastern visitors. Jesus grew up in poverty with the stigma of being an illegitimate child of an adulterous woman. His stories were filled with instructions to humbly care for others, forgive, and
Three-week-old kid goats, Maggie and Chocolate, butt heads during the day, but as dusk falls, they warm one another. Separation as they play causes one to cry to the other for protection. Watching them reunite makes me smile. Why does behavior that seems intuitive to baby goats not come naturally to humans? How do we
PEACE OR CONSEQUENCES Read More »
The subtle roar of the incomplete nags. The imagined barrier to the next step mocks. Lack of personal ability ridicules because of unfinished business. Concrete footers were poured, promising a structure rooted in the earth with solid standing against mountain winds. The greenhouse has metal straps and 4 by 12 headers for cross-bracing. Why the
UNFINISHED BUSINESS Read More »
We learned to avoid curfew by signing out in the evening and then showing up in the morning for class. Those nighttime escapes made by my college friend and myself became more frequent, and her grades began to slide. I suggested she might need to focus on school more. She responded angrily, and our friendship
Mental Freedom Without Shame and Blame Read More »
My neighbor walks every day, and we often wave at each other and share a few words. He’s an ex-marine with COPD and not in the greatest of health. Today he admitted he’s becoming a hermit of sorts because of the virus. He shared that his great-grandparents and their families lived through the Spanish flu,
Afraid To Die? Want Answers? Part 2 Read More »
There’s always the choice to take things into my own hands or wait for the Kingdom Commander to provide. My initial search for a new or used bookshelf turned up pricey or poor-quality items. But the searching taught me what style, quality, color, and price range I could expect if I waited. Sure enough, I
Kingdom Thankfulness and Health Read More »
Her name’s Rahab, and she has choices. She’s young and beautiful. So she might follow her name’s Egyptian root, choosing to be solitary and self-centered. Then there’s the Hebrew root meaning, “make room to help.” This could cost her independence and time, along with the risk of getting dirty and dented. Rahab’s our new Subaru
Does Your Mirror Reflect Peace and Rest? Read More »
These gorgeous, flowering vines are surrounding dark, cramped bird cages. My imagination hears the flowers inviting those locked in cages of dark and angry thoughts to come out of their cramped quarters. My own experience confirms it’s difficult to think rationally and creatively when filled with unresolved anger. Lacking hope, my brain and heart are
Break Out of Anger’s Prison Read More »
“If you ask God for healing, He’ll do it. It might be healing for your body. Perhaps more peaceful thoughts affecting your words/actions. Or the spirit part of you, capable of communicating with God, might begin to long for a closer relationship with Him.” These are words I’ve shared with patients searching for healing. Who
It seems unlikely these dysfunctional human beings could preserve and protect life. The last episode of the TV series “MASH” brilliantly and realistically portrays the characters as somewhat wacko. But still able to function mostly “as one” in their duties and fondly in their goodbyes. My nursing years working with the FL Keys Hospice and
TEAM OF LIFE- PRESERVING WACKO’S Read More »
