• inspirational,  short story

    The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 1

    Blanche sat in a faded, floral wingback chair facing the window in her room. Her head was bowed and eyes closed, her hands folded in her lap as though in prayer. Nearly white brows knit together and even whiter hair was pulled loosely back in a bun; her lower lip protruded slightly as she exhaled soft puffs of air. The puffs became more pronounced, rousing Blanche from her catnap. She gazed out of the window, waiting for her eyes to focus on the Maple which comprised most of her view. It was a grey day. The tree limbs seemed bolder rather than shrouded by the mid-morning mist. Buds were beginning…

  • prayer

    Gray Hairs and Nebulae

    April 2020 marked the 30th Anniversary of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope launched into orbit. My husband and I watched the fascinating, well, actually astounding pictures taken by the Hubble’s camera! Astronauts installed successive, more sophisticated cameras in later years, to help bring into view images that are myriads of light-years away! What held me spellbound was the nebula and nebulae. From NASA’s Space Place for Kids (yes, kids), I learned: … a nebula is a giant cloud of dust and gas in space. Some nebulae (more than one nebula) come from the gas and dust thrown out by the explosion of a dying star, such as a supernova. Other nebulae…

  • short story

    The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 3

    Returning to the story, we see Blanche back in her room, pondering the news from her last visit with sweet Kathy. In the days that followed, Blanche began spending more time in her room alone. She even refused to go to the Day Room when the girls’ club came on Friday. She couldn’t bear to see the group without Kathy’s smiling face among them. She sat in her chair looking out at the Maple and at the cardinal pinned to her curtains. Even the activity of birds at the feeder didn’t amuse her. “God,” she finally broke the silence. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve even wanted to…

  • inspirational,  short story

    The Cardinal in the Tree, Part 2

    Let's pick up where we left off in Part 1 of The Cardinal in the Tree. Blanche has finally settled into a chair, ready to listen to a group of young girls sing. She scanned the faces then stopped on a small-boned wisp of a girl in the front row, who had short red hair in loose curls and steel-rimmed glasses. The girl was looking around the room when her eyes passed Blanche, then came back again. She beamed a smile. “That’s just like my Penny,” Blanche thought. “Hello. My name is Janet Worthington,” the girls’ leader began. “We’re here from Calvary Chapel, in Smedley, and we’d like to sing…

  • prayer

    A Command Center

    We often think of a prayer room as a place set apart to commune with God. Whether one enters alone or there is a group, it is thought the purpose is the same. But Jesus, Commander-in-Chief of the Heavenly host, looks at the prayer room, or secret place, much differently. Pondering this one day, I heard Him say: This is more than a prayer room. It is a command center from where I can rally the troops and send them out on assignment or reconnaissance. Interesting word, reconnaissance. Why did He choose this word, in particular? Reconnaissance is defined in the US Army Field Manual (FM 7-92; Chapter 4) as…

  • inspirational

    First Thought

    Softly closing the door to the prayer room behind me, I walked over to turn on a chrome floor lamp by my pipe desk. For months, I’d been immersed in a rich study of the Old Testament Minor Prophets, preparing to teach students in our church’s mission training school. It was amazing how that which was considered “old” had now been infused with “new” life. With the thought of “What’s next,” I sat down at my desk, feeling inclined to start reading the Psalms. It wasn’t long before I paused to ponder: Psalm 5:3 ESV O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a…

  • inspirational

    It’s Fun to Run!

    We pulled into the driveway at our oldest daughter’s home, looking forward to taking two of our grandchildren out for ice cream. Our granddaughter, 9 at the time, exploded from the front door and hopped into the back seat, beaming from ear-to-ear. Our grandson, then 4, quickly followed, arms spread wide: “Papa Nana (dispensing with the ‘and,’ since he considered us a package), I’m so happy to see you! Give me a hug and kiss!” I met his eager request, then buckled him into a booster in the back seat. Animated conversation ensued until we stopped at Baskin Robbins for our treat. Our grandson selected a deep blue ice cream…

  • favorites

    Need a Little Whimsy?

    Start the year out right with a little whimsy from New York Times Bestseller, Bob Goff. The subtitle of his first book, Love Does, entices the reader to “Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World.” As I read the first, then the second chapter of this strikingly different book, somehow, Bob’s world didn’t seem so ordinary to me. He caught my attention by the way he lives, thinks, and acts on any given situation. Love Does, contains 31 chapters or slices from his life – before and after he was married, and after he had children. The book can easily become a month-long devotional, infusing your day with…

  • inspirational

    In the Aftermath of California’s Firenadoes

    Wildfires are a common occurrence throughout the State of California. News anchors announce the arrival of the annual fire season with most listeners unmoved by its activity, unless family or someone they know is involved. In recent years, wildfires have gradually escalated, but nothing to the destructive force marking the Summer of 2018. The season was preceded by low or no precipitation – winter through spring. California also is noted for its sporadic, hot gusty winds. Lack of rain, combined with dry brush and vegetation, becomes the kindling for wildfires that morph into fire tornadoes. The Carr Fire in Redding, Calif., ignited on July 23, 2018, due to sparks from…

  • favorites

    Psalm 91: A Remix for Today’s Bride of Christ

    Psalm 91 is my favorite out of all 150 psalms! It is strategically placed in the middle of the Bible, so it’s easy to find. The author is “anonymous,” as is the case for most of the psalms contained in Book Four. Moses or King David may have been contributors. This psalm speaks to most any situation where you need encouragement. It’s been my “go-to” in trying times! The following is a “remix” of Psalm 91 with today’s Bride of Christ in mind. She who sits down in His Holy Hill – taking dominion and authority from this vantage point or position of victory – will live under the protective…