My Wandering Pen. Blog Thoughts.
"Not all those who wander are lost."– J.R.R. Tolkein
A Review: Henri Nouwen – The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Story of Homecoming
As promised, I am offering my first book review for 2014. To call it a “review” seems so formal and responsibility-laden. I prefer “wonderings” or “considerations”. Maybe someday I’ll reach the comfort and expertise level of “reviewer.” But for now… The Return of the...
The case for getting your news the old fashioned way
Since moving to Roanoke, Superman and I have taken up a new weekend morning habit, that of reading the paper. Every new place our family has moved, I’ve tried making newspaper reading part of my morning ritual. But until this move, I could never make it stick. Maybe...
In which I nearly turn my nose at a backyard invitation
The snow blankets the forest floor behind my home. I can see its folds and rolls, its pitches and shallows. It is a white blanket spread out only for me and I know it. In the six months we’ve lived here, I have yet to walk through my backyard woods. Oh, I have...
Why I never share my reading list…and how this is about to change
When I was creating this blog, I was quite certain that book musings would play a regular if not leading role in what I shared. After all, reading is like oxygen to my lungs; the beauty of the written word may begin in my mind, but soon travels throughout my soul...
A story about the time I lost my home…
Sometimes there is crying after crossfit, but never before. But as I walked into the back stuff-dumping room of my box (Crossfit’s name for their gyms) the other day, there was a small gathering of women consoling one of our crying friends. “Shari, I need to tell you...
In which I begin to understand the gift of Sabbath
Those of you who visit here regularly know I am a wannabe poetry maven, however can never seem to pass “Poetry 101”. But Wendell Berry, I understand him. He is my favorite (which, my faithful tens of readers also know, I don’t use the word “favorite” lightly). This...
In Which I Realize 2014 is God's Story to Tell, Not My Own
“So you see, we are a dot, living on a dot, spinning around a dot, positioned within a dot that is one of hundreds of billions of dots within the universe…” This was the how the Sunday morning message began. I sat listening to Dr. James Peterson, Schumann Professor of...
A final Wondering: Candlelight, Persecution, and the Gypsy Baby: Silent Night
The service is almost over. The living nativity in the front of the sanctuary is becoming restless. Joseph is scratching his backside, the shepherds are balancing their heads on their canes, the angel of the Lord keeps shifting her weight and grabbing her halo to be...
In which I wonder about Joseph, Sacrifice, and Love: Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o’er the plains, And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains. Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Gloria, in excelsis Deo! Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be Which...
The power of a Word well-spoken: The First Noel
The First Noel, the Angels did say Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay In fields where they lay keeping their sheep On a cold winter's night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel Born is the King of Israel! They looked up and saw a star Shining in...
In which I wonder about Mary's parents: Ave Maria
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuoKS5N5V98 Hail Mary Hail Mary full of grace, Mary full of grace Mary full of grace Hail, hail the Lord The Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women, And blessed And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus Hail Mary Hail Mary,...
The Shepherds, the Peasants, & Why I am blogging through Advent: God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day To save us all from Satan's power When we were gone astray O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy From God our Heavenly...
Despair, the Bells, & God Not Dead: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7670CXvPX0 (The video above is Casting Crowns' unique version of this old carol. I don't often like re-made melodies of classic carols. In this case, I heartily make an exception!) 1. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old...
In which I take up coloring the Word: What Child is This?
1. What Child is this who, laid to rest On Mary's lap is sleeping? Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary....
In which I grasp holiness over weariness: O Holy Night
O holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious...
The Stars, Shalom, & the 2nd week of Advent: O Little Town of Bethlehem
O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, The silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight. For Christ is born of Mary, And...
The Story Complete: O Come O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel. O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height, In ancient times once...
The Ultimate Interview: Mary Did You Know?
"Mary Did You Know" (originally by Mark Lowry (lyrics ) and Buddy Greene (melody )) Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to...
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