Christmas Petunia

December flowers

Hibiscus on our porch.

Jackson at the library

Good to see a grandson studying online

First rose of summer

reflections

Been working in the church office this morning.  The pace here is always busy... well nearly always.  Here in this noon hour the traffic and action have receded and a quiet has descended.  I like to listen carefully in a quiet church for still messages that float in on a Holy wind.  Let the phones lie idle for a time.  Let the doors stay closed awhile.  Quietness brings its own blessings.  Out the window I see the cross in the distance.  On the one hand is the sports fields where young life swirls with shout and play.  On the other is the resting place of the saints, whose bodies still await the last awakening, on a day like this, I imagine.  We rejoice in this place of holiness and hope.  The spirit wind rejoices in a Savior who brings both of those qualities... to us a quiet time of holy reflection, and a hope unfading about final things.  May the Most High bless and keep you today.

Bill

Viburnum

In the Medieval garden

a warm spring day

A warm, sunny day in the Piedmont.  Little waves on the lake as the breeze dances on the surface,  the wind greeting the arrival of spring warmth.  Light green colors the woods and the little flowers of spring wave in the sunlight.

Blessings,

Bill

Work work work

Been helping out at the church today.  My what a busy place.  This is the first break of the day.  Well that's the way you want a church to be.  Stood out in the hall and heard voices from five different directions. Had a work break... and another.  Doesn't slow down much.  Thanks be to God.

Windowless rooms

Windowless Rooms and Light

The day ended with a small cluster of reddish light. The windows filtered the last rays of the sun and set them shimmering against the far wall, a blessing from the dying day. I was thankful for the day (and for its ending) and also for the windows, through which the light passed. A windowless room is a bane. Windows are chinks in the walls, letting in the brilliance of the greater world.

'In truth, O blessed God, there are occasions, in this sense laden universe, when the purer light of heaven shines through, and we may see and rejoice in a greater Glory, beyond this world. When we see the light slanting through our own windows at evening, we think thoughts like that.  And so we thank you, Creator God, for windows and light and your love, a shining reality, personal, true. Blessed are You, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and blessed is Your revealing to Your children.'
Willard Spencer