This is often the way God loves us: with gifts we thought we didn't need, which transform us into people we don't necessarily want to be. We assume religion is about giving a little of our power. Then this stranger comes to us, blesses us with a gift, and calls us to see ourselves as …
Tag: Religion and Spirituality
Nursing Reunion Becomes Spiritual Retreat
"If only" runs through my mind as I remember our 50th reunion of a week ago. Twenty-nine of forty classmates (three have died) met at Camp Geneva in Holland, Michigan, from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday morning. Many of us, as proud members of the Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1962, had not …
Fourth Pres – Chicago – Lays Second Cornerstone Today
One hundred years ago tomorrow, the first cornerstone of Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago was laid on a dirt road not yet named Michigan Ave. There was no way then to know that one day the church would be in the middle of the Magnificent Mile. Today, a second cornerstone was laid. This time for …
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Walking humbly…
Caring Lessons Now #6 In Chicago today, it's important to be Irish. We'll leave soon to watch the greening of the Chicago River. The streets below my study window are filling with dots of green T-shirted people. At the same time, people close to me are dealing with severe illnesses. Recently, a recipient of supposedly …
Sunday – A Bittersweet Day of Saying Farewell
From the Chicago Tribune yesterday: The Rev. John Buchanan retires from Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. Sunday was a big day at our church. We're happy for John and his wife Sue. He's prepared us well for his leaving, and we're grateful for his parting message, as quoted in the article above, that reflects the …
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Christmas 2011 Thou shalt know him….
Thou shalt know him when he comes, not by any din of drums, nor by the vintage of his airs, nor by anything he wears, neither by his gown, nor his crown. For his presence known shall be by the holy harmony that his coming makes in thee. Anonymous 15th Century Source: Bulletin cover, Fourth …
ICRS #2 – Interviews, Signings, and Cupcakes
The International Christian Retail Show started for me with a warm greeting from Bill and Nancie Carmichael from Deep River Books, my publisher. They sponsored a dinner (yummy salmon) for their authors and guests at the Westin in Atlanta. My guest, from the friendship theme in Caring Lessons, was Marianna Crane. After dinner, Bill invited …
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A Magnificent Mile of Joy
At almost 69, I'm realizing my "Bucket List" has suddenly become important. A few days ago we were out for lunch with friends our age when it popped into my mind to ask, "What's on your bucket list?" Most everyone knows that phrase refers to the movie starring Jack Nicholson (I've loved him ever since …
Write Along with Me 