Throughout the summer, early morning birdsongs often welcome us into the day. I’m learning to recognize many of the varied species and sounds of the birds right in my own backyard. Our friend Rich S. has helped me appreciate our feathered friends much more. A retired outdoor educator, Rich now takes groups on nature walks, or “birding” expeditions, watching and listening for up to 50 different species on an outing! Earlier this summer, I discovered the piping plover on the beaches of Maine. Signs instructed visitors to stay away from restricted areas where the birds were nesting. Unlike many species,…
Could the next great revival be on the horizon? Many Christians think so, and we certainly need one. Our country has reached heightened moral decline, God is all but removed from public places, and we’re divided on many fronts. “There’s so much anger, so much polarization, and Jesus is the answer,” said Anne Graham Lotz, after her father, the Rev. Billy Graham, known as “America’s Pastor” passed away earlier this year[1]. She prays her father’s death serves as a wake-up call for the Church and sparks a revival. Lotz believes to fill her father’s shoes we all need to step…
Our third year of marriage unexpectedly found my husband looking for a new job. His company had undergone massive layoffs, and Rich’s department was among them. With many unknowns suddenly facing us, Rich began meeting with recruiters and mapping out potential interviews. Attracted to the quaintness and quietness of Vermont, we decided to set our sights there. We began praying while staying open to God’s leading, and trusted His hand to be upon the process. Over the following three months, Rich sent numerous resumes to prospective companies in Vermont, and throughout the northeast. He landed some interviews, but to our disappointment,…
On Sunday, my husband and I traveled 2 ½ hours to visit a quaint country church we know and love. The pastor there is one of the most peaceful people I know. As I’ve gotten to know him over the years, I’ve realized the deep and abiding calmness he carries comes from the personal relationship he keeps with the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus told us He was leaving us with peace—His peace—what did He mean? Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your…
There’s nothing I enjoy more than being on the ice, figure skating. The freedom of movement, the cold air, gliding to music, I find invigorating. While skating, I am immersed in the moment, the rest of the day put on hold. Yet I didn’t always experience this pure enjoyment. For many years I took lessons in ice dancing. A group of us adults would take tests, working to move up the ranks of the sport. In my drive to excel, I sometimes deprived myself of enjoying the day’s practice—by focusing on my paucity of progress, or comparing myself to someone…
