That is exactly where you are, where I am, right now. No matter how you measure time, by life or work, vacation, retirement, school, or play-time, today is the first day of the week: your week, my week, earth’s week, and the week of life that we are in, now. A recent “stint” with cancer showed me a little more... READ MORE >
My 37-year-old son died of Stage Four Colon Cancer Dec. 14. People (who assume that as a pastor I understand God) ask me —“Why? It makes no sense…it’s not fair!” I agree: “Why Steve? A kind, wise young man with a great wife, small children, family and friends who love him… who wanted a career teaching and mentoring youth? Why?”... READ MORE >
Sunday, November 6 issued in the switch away from Daylight Saving Time (DST). It meant everyone turned back clocks, adjusted schedules, calendars, and struggled with “internal biorhythms.” And for deer hunters who on Saturday, November 5 began deer hunting? If the normal wake up time was 6 a.m.—for deer season it might be 4:30 a.m. But on November 6? Thanks... READ MORE >
“There Is a River Whose Streams Make Glad…” Some of you will recognize the above, if not by literary source then by sentiment. In Cook County, we’ve many rivers, as well as many streams, and many smaller water runways (rivulets, brooks, creeks). What they are called as the type doesn’t matter, and neither does the designated name on the map... READ MORE >
On a Monday afternoon walking in the woods, or a Tuesday morning watching a sunrise that, due to Daylight Savings Time, comes a “clock-hour” earlier than last week, prayers show up. On a Saturday, perhaps hearing about a neighbor’s illness, or on a Sunday at church, hearing of someone’s new grandchild, prayers show up. Sometimes by our own bidding, “I... READ MORE >
Maybe, from a window or on a piece of property, you have looked out as someone said, “you should see the view when the leaves fall!” Or maybe as autumn continues, you notice how much more there is to see of creation. We see into the woods better, see across the road better, and especially, in Cook County, have new... READ MORE >
In a recent morning, watching sunlight fill the morning sky, there was time to for reading Psalm 19 from the Bible. I would look up and out, then read and re-read the Psalm, loving the poetry of sky and words: The heavens are tellingthe glory of God;and the firmament proclaimsGod’s handiwork.Day to day pours forth speechand night to nightdeclares knowledge.... READ MORE >
There is prayer that speaks deeply of why we find ourselves in prayer for others, or ourselves: “O Lord, in your mercy…. Be present where there is loneliness. Be comfort where there is pain. Be healing where there is brokenness” The prayer ends, “We pray especially for….” Whose name will you include? “Lord, Be present in loneliness.” Who would you... READ MORE >
My friend Annie spent some time on a continent far from Minnesota several decades ago. She went there as a brave young woman, eager to help people whose need was evident, deep, and beyond imagination. The people in the camp had come from a country where living was not only dangerous, but now would mean death. They were trying to... READ MORE >
It’s January in Cook County and up and down Lake Superior freighters and ships are at work as winter deepens. We know the “boats” hang extra close to our North Shore this time of year, and at night folks look out across the lake and can be heard to say, “Look, see the lights! There’s a boat out there!” And... READ MORE >
