Message Written in the Sky

From the rising of the sun

   in all attendant glory

the gift-wrappings of the day

   unfolding nature's story.

With brightness softly fusing

   into clouds afloat in space

dew drops, too, with seas reflecting

   dawn's majestic face.

My Favorite Season

        Spring is a fine time to think about God. Buds are popping out on bare branches, little shoots of tulips peek through the soil. The first weeds have the audacity to squeeze between the gravel on the driveway. Yesterday’s chilly breeze has gone, and the sun shines in a clear blue sky. Spring is a time of promise, and that reminds us of God’s goodness.
        Summer is a fine time to think about God. Seeds have been planted because that’s how it is. First you plant, and take care of it, then something grows. Hot days encourage the fruit on the trees, the vegetables in the garden, and the primrose taking over the planter. The miracle of photosynthesis gets taken for granted, but it is God’s plan.
        Fall is a fine time to think about God. Those tiny seeds have grown into genuine, edible vegetables, each yielding their own seeds. The trees are heavy with fruit, ready to be picked. Sure enough, the seasons and the rainfall, the climate and the soil will get the credit, but it is God’s doing.
        Winter is a fine time to think about God. Blustery winds have plucked off the leaves in a flurry of gold and orange, red and brown. Hibernating animals do what they know to do. Snow will blanket the land, and cloudy darkness claims the day. Often it’s a picturesque season, but it serves a purpose, and that is God’s idea.

And…

Autumn Wilderness

There's a quietness in the autumn woods

that beckons to the traveler's soul,

whispering purpose and beauty.

Come, celebrate the timeless cycle;

the air is chill and swirling winds blow,

raining gold and crimson leaves.

Jesus Makes a House Call

        When Jesus first started knocking at the door I didn’t know it. The house is a busy place; kids running through with their little friends, the TV on almost all the time, the hum of the washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave — you know what I mean.
        But one day there it was, a friendly knock at the front door. Not demanding, not wimpy, just friendly. And I would have gone over to answer the door, but right then I heard, “You’ve got mail!” so I ran into the bedroom to see what had come up on the computer. Pretty soon, I’d forgotten all about the knocking, and hurried to the kitchen to see what to thaw for dinner.
        A few days later the knocking got my attention and I did go to the door. I was stunned to see Jesus standing there. “My goodness. Oh, I mean, Good Lord! Please come in. Yes, do come in.”

Grandma Looks at Religion

        When you were a little kid you might have gone, willingly or under coercion, to Sunday School, catechism, Luther League, or Vacation Bible School, etc. Many parents do this as a “religious obligation” on their part, hoping that some of the good stuff sinks into your head and makes you a better person, in the long run.
        You endured cutting and pasting, singing and doing the motions, and listening to stories of long, long ago. Maybe the pictures of Jesus and His friends had halos painted atop their heads.
        However, there’s a much more adult side to all of this. Now that you can read and reason things out, take a new look at the old stuff. What did Jesus do? What did it mean?