The Ember: A Christmas Meditation

The Ember: A Christmas Meditation

He was a contemporary of the great Isaiah, a peasant whose work is a mere seven chapters. Micah’s writings have been described as rugged, but clear and intelligible. And it is unlikely that we will experience any Christmastime without hearing or quoting from his...
Christmas Meditation: Light at Last

Christmas Meditation: Light at Last

The darkness seems absolute. Men before us have forgotten that it hides the morning star.  Irwin Edman, Professor of Philosophy In the home we built four years ago, our study faces due east toward the southern end of the Mayacamas Mountains, an ancient volcanic range...
At Your Thanksgiving Table

At Your Thanksgiving Table

Like many families with grown children, Thanksgiving and Christmas are celebrated with Sam and me on alternate years. I’ve never minded this yearly pattern. Why? Well, one reason is because, in marriage, my children chose so well. And their in-laws are loving...
Denouement

Denouement

denouement: [French] the solution, unraveling, or clarification of a plot in a drama or story “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle,” said Mother Teresa. “I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” In Job’s case,...
Do You Have a Critical Eye?

Do You Have a Critical Eye?

If you were to describe your outlook on life, what would it be? Are you generally pleased with what you see? Do you view everything (and everyone) through the lens of, shall we say, making improvements? I have suffered from time to time from the condition known as The...