Judges 6: 12-16 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But... Continue Reading →
There is Peace in Knowing Troubles Don’t Last Always
Daily writing promptWhat brings you peace?View all responses Last year in August, I had back surgery that cured sciatica in my right leg but caused weakness and numbness on the left side from hip to foot because the surgeon moved some nerves. Learning of the effort needed to return to normal, I felt angry and... Continue Reading →
The Last Time We Meet: What Do You See?
Photo Credit: Simon Berger @ Unsplash As Ella walked to number 115, her heart hurt, knowing it was the last time she and James would meet. She would miss how he always spoke the right words to uplift her spirits. When they first met, he seemed as strange as a Martian on planet Earth. His... Continue Reading →
Ode to the Graduate Student on Social Security: Wordle
Playing in the Park Diderot in Courbevoie, France, in May 2023 Many think that we are grumpy old people in need of assistance, Who should consider themselves fortunate to have lived so long. But we still have an inventory of gifts to share with the world. We aren’t sitting in fairgrounds prepared to sing our... Continue Reading →
Shielded from the Hate: RonovanWrites Haiku
I am not afraid. Fling the arrow of your hate. My God will shield me. Written for RonovanWrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge: Fling and Arrow.
I Salute A Nurse’s Courage
Daily writing promptWhat profession do you admire most and why?View all responses Nurses are the heart of medicine. I greatly respect the women and men who dedicate their lives to the sick and helpless. The nurses spend the most time with patients, caring for our needs while encouraging us as surgeries or procedures await. They... Continue Reading →
Don’t Tell Uncle Bill
Street art In Porto, Portugal near the port. Sarah had been dreading her 47th birthday. She tried to convince her family to forgo this occasion to meet and party, and she knew her parents knew why she was hesitating. She explained to her mother that she had the wherewithal to throw a grand and festive... Continue Reading →
Wisdom and Understanding Are Better than Wealth: Sunday Devotion
Psalm 49: 16-20 (NIV) Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Though while they live, they count themselves blessed—and people praise you when you prosper—they will join those who have gone before... Continue Reading →
The Product I Would Sell Is How to Think
Daily writing promptIf you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?View all responses Once, a student at a prestigious university in California asked me why he paid for college but also had to do the work assigned. I explained to him that the product I sold as a Sociology professor was... Continue Reading →
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Chocolate
The Chocolate Story Museum in Gaia, outside of Porto, Portugal, in the World of Wine complex I will not quibble with you over my fervent belief That my beloved chocolate in all its forms is a true panacea. I swear that when my days have deteriorated to insanity, Chocolate kisses are a talisman bringing sanity... Continue Reading →
Help from Heaven 