I recently finished reading Penelope Wilcock’s book, The Long Fall. It’s the third book in The Hawk and the Dove series, and the conclusion to its original trilogy. (The trilogy was later expanded to a series of nine). These books were recommended … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Henri Nouwen’s book, The Way of the Heart. It was given to everyone who helped to staff the H2O Smoky Mountain Retreat. The book was not exactly assigned ready, but strongly-suggested. And I admit that I had some … Continue reading
It’s been a great week in the Great Smoky Mountains. The weather has been nearly perfect, with no rain and temperatures mostly in the 70s. The size of our group has felt ideal for this experience. There are a lot … Continue reading
Yesterday was our free day for hiking and such. But it seems to me like more ministry happens when we’re not “in session” (i.e. organized group activities). Singing, teaching, and leading small group discussions are great. But sometimes, it also … Continue reading
I have the privilege of helping to staff H2O’s Smoky Mountain Retreat this week. Eighteen of us from H2O Kent have travelled together. Now we’re near the national park on the border between Tennessee and North Carolina. We get to … Continue reading
I’ve been thinking, praying, and processing some pandemic recovery stuff lately. And I feel like I had an epiphany this morning while walking in the woods. I started by praying for a nurse who’s recently been hospitalized for COVID-19. She … Continue reading
We finished the year by telling stories. We said the stories could feature heroes. But the heroes must be others (not ourselves). We said the stories could feature fools. But the fools must be ourselves (not others). And with those … Continue reading
I’m always curious to get a global perspective on current events. And as alluded previously, I was recently emailing with a friend in Africa about the COVID-19 Vaccine. He had told me in early March that his country had only … Continue reading
I counted them this morning: 35 rocks. They were nestled inside the rotted-out trunk of an old oak tree. But I temporarily took them out to count them and clear some of the dust and debris. So that’s how I … Continue reading
Could it be that we’re really getting to the end of winter and the end of COVID? Today it kind of feels like it. Olivia and Cor went back to school today. They had an extra-long Spring Break, extended on … Continue reading