Month: August 2017

That Forsaken Feeling

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For centuries, Christians have pondered the words of Jesus, and none more so than the seven sayings he spoke from the cross. John includes three of the seven. To his mother: “Dear woman, here is your son.” And to John, “Here is your mother.” The second saying is one everyone can identify with: “I am thirsty.” The third: “It is finished.” Luke reports three more sayings. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” To the thief: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Finally, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Mark and … Read more…

Little is Much if God is in It

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Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. That’s how Matthew (15:29) begins the story of Jesus feeding the 4,000. It happened on a mountain. And immediately we remember how significant that setting is. A mountain provided a safe landing for Noah’s ark. The 10 Commandments were dictated on a mountain. Twice. Abraham’s faith was tested on a mountain. Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on a mountain. Isaiah prophesied that many people would gather on the metaphorical mountain of the Lord. Jesus delivered his famous sermon from a mountain and was transfigured on one. So here we … Read more…

Encouragement for Caregivers

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More years than not, my mom has been a caregiver to someone. She began caring for children at the age of 26. I was the first, but there were four others and one of them was developmentally disabled. Though I never heard her complain about it, caring for our sister Jean was like having a baby in the house for forty-three years. Figured conservatively, that comes out to 78,475 diaper changes. And those were cloth diapers. Everything you do for yourself in the daily course of living, mom had to do for Jean: food preparation, feeding, bathing, changing clothes, toileting, … Read more…