Month: April 2026

That Old Story

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Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up in life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5

Thanksgiving

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the bread broken and the wine poured
up to the table i walk once again
still it feels as the first time
the wonder and the love that somehow
this feast before me is rightfully mine
but why when my feet are dirty and my eyes dry?
the wrong assumption of course
it is not my eyes that looked with love as they spat upon him
it is not my feet that were pierced through with heavy iron
so i do not claim anything of mine own as merit sufficient
if i did that would not be a rightful claim
only pride
instead i clutch a ticket stub that has stamped upon it
paid in full
by that divine one Jesus Christ
with whom one day I shall dine as we break bread
and he looks me in the eye
and we toast each other and each take a sip of wine
someday soon i pray but for now
i cling to his feet and sing once more
the song that is forever mine
he loves me yes i know

A Mock Severity Demonstrated

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See how the storms howl outside? Yes of course I’ll be safe, but let me open the door for a second, just a second I promise! And let me stick my head out to feel the spray of the rain on my face and feel the raw wind in all its glory. Too often the safety and security of our modern life aids in our forgetting the fragility of our frames. We are used to being master of all we survey. Stand for a moment as the thunder rolls and you will not feel as if you are much of a master at all. Perhaps it is good to feel small now and then. I close the door once more. Only a little wet, see? Now I don’t need to take a shower for the water falling from the heavens was sufficient to wash me clean. No I won’t shake myself on the mat. Throw me a towel and I’ll dry off and then let’s turn the oven on as we prepare for dinner. I like the natural beauty of the outdoors but I also crave simple comforts like dry clothes and hot food. Electricity is pretty nice too.

Westering

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she knows it won’t be long before again
the sun shall slip below
the horizon
but before that moment
a gasp of beauty
a slash of light
once more sings my heart this night
the glory of the stars most visible
when it is darkest after all
even as we peer up from the bottom of the well
do your eyes fill up as mine do?
someday we shall ascend the ladder too

According to Some

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Hello friends! Happy Saturday!! I would promise I’d write a nice newsy post just now, but I really won’t be doing any such thing. It has been a most lovely full day here and I am now at the point where there are a few minutes for me to sit on the couch and rest and I think I desire some reading time (cue everyone’s shocked face). Tomorrow I will try and write. I think. But truly, today was beautiful. A nice walk down to coffeeshop and precious moments reading and meditating on the truths of God. Back home to Dani and then we were off for breakfast tacos! All the yummy tacos were devoured as is proper. Following that, errands and driving around city for us, or adventure times, as Dani and I like to say. Home once again, were we done? Of course not. A MKT walk was enjoyed in the fading evening sun and then one more grocery store errand before home again. Really this was not an efficient day. But does everything have to be about efficiency? Today was a beautiful day enjoying the small wonders that my God has granted me. I am ever so grateful and my heart is full.

Now? About to read some of the “Apostolic Fathers” and perhaps some Anne of Green Gables following. Chopin plays in the background. A candle flickers softly. Eventually dinner time shall be had. And Dani and I will look at each other and smile in most certain love.

Second Spring

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Good morning friends! About to dive into the maelstrom of work and become reacquainted with all the projects that I had left behind (and hopefully discover that my unread emails are in the 3-digits and not 4-digits) but I can breathe deep now and thank my God for being with me no matter what storms befall me. Grateful for time this morning to sip on my coffee and read good true words and meditate on the God who died for me. I wish I had more time to chronicle all the doings in Florida these past days, but maybe later, we shall see. Ever so thankful to my God for all he has given to me. I sometimes don’t quite understand the mercies that have been shown me. I walk down that aisle with a bouquet of death, possibly not that attractive in my graveclothes. Yet I walk. Miraculously so. And then somehow my garments transfigured and my face shining, I approach my Lord. It is good to meditate on such thoughts as these. Each and every day presents its own challenges, its own trials and tribulations. Yet I live in the light of the glory that is being found in Christ. My heart strums in vibrant harmony with the song creation sings unceasing. Stars and seas lift up their voices and I cannot help but hum along.

Resurrection Day

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Happy Sunday, friends. I have a few minutes as I sit and relax here at Laura and Caisson’s…an Easter banquet is being prepared and there is much work to do to prepare, but thought I’d grab a few moments (some of the only few I’ve had without anything else that must be done!) to write a few words on latest books. Of necessity, I do believe I will write fewer words than is my custom and may possibly not ramble as much as I usually do. Small victories. But why bother writing so many words when I can spend time with some of my most favourite people in the world? Now Caisson sits on the couch holding little Shiloh as she sleeps and Laura prepares a flour-less chocolate cake and Dani is resting in our room so…I suppose I will allow myself a moment or two to write.

22. The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. This is a ridiculous and absurd romp. I had never read Fforde before but heard that this was a tale for the literary minded that don’t mind something a bit off the wall. And you know what? This one delivered. I found it absolutely hilarious. A bit irreverent at times and a bit more profane than I would have liked, but the humour was absolutely top notch. A lot of the jokes rely on a bit of knowledge of literature but in my mind, that made this book all the more superior. Mind you, this book is not for everyone. You may need to suspend your imagination a wee bit.

23. Grandpa’s Stolen Treasure by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Being back at Laura and Caisson’s means I get access to old childhood books once again. This was a quick breezy read, made all the more enjoyable by the memories summoned up as I read a book I probably haven’t opened in 20+ years. This one is probably not one of the stronger ones in the series. As Laura and I discussed, we enjoy the books that take place around the homestead and not in new cities. This one took place in Duluth which was interesting but…not quite as fun a setting as the farm and its environs. Still, a good tale well told and it is hard to find good children’s books so…would heartily recommend this to the younger crowd!

24. The Runaway Clown by Lois Walfrid Johnson. Book 8 of the Northwoods series, a fun story. Probably not the strongest of the series and the premise is stretching a bit much on the idea of Anders and Kate’s mystery solving skills, but you know what? Still worth a read. I particularly liked this one for the strong Christian themes and wisdom interspersed throughout. From Papa giving Kate dating/marriage advice (!! – also very solid and relevant even today!) to Kate standing up for her faith even when it sabotaged her friendship with her crush. Also, Kate sharing the gospel with her friend and praying with her!! Truly beautiful. This is one of those children’s books that is Christian but not weirdly so. It feels like a real family with a real faith loving a real God.

25. Mystery of the Missing Map by Louis Walfrid Johnson. Book 9 of the Northwoods series. A fun story with a few new characters thrown in. Probably not the best of the series, but I still found it enjoyable. It was odd reading this and having absolutely no memory at all of the plot (and continually being surprised by it!) yet little snippets here and there sparked my memory – “I remember this line!”. I’d forgotten whole characters yet I remembered reading certain turns of phrase. Funny how the memory works.