09
Apr 2021
Recently I’ve gone back to reading a little book called “Attitudes of Gratitude.” Early this week I came across a devotion in this book that suggested we notice all the gifts that come to us through our senses, especially small things that we see, hear, taste and smell. This Easter week I’ve taken this to heart. Spring in the desert provides a feast for this, so I’ve noticed the fragrance of citrus blossoms, the beauty of cactus blooming in our front yard, the sound of birds as well the curl of......
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All Things
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 Really? All things? I can’t do all things. I can’t do a gymnastics routine or fly a helicopter or cure cancer or...
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Holy Week
Sunday, March 28, is Palm and Passion Sunday, which is the start of Holy Week. We’ll be blessed with a recorded worship service at 9:45 a.m. that includes lots of music – a...
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Ups and Downs
I’m going to begin today with a prayer and then write about “ups and downs.” Prayer: God of hope and healing, comfort those who mourn, especially those affected by the shootings in Atlanta this...
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A Year
Almost 525,600 minutes since March 15, 2020, when we closed our buildings for in-person worship and other gatherings. The song “Seasons of Love” from the stage musical Rent asks, “How do you measure...
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Almost Day Off – Friday, March 5
Today I am making chicken and vegetable soup. As I’m cutting up onions, garlic and celery I begin to pray for those in our congregation who are sick, in rehab and recovering. It...
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The Mind of Christ
Two opportunities for you this Sunday, Feb. 28: .Join me for “Coffee With the Pastor” at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a chance to converse with me, ask questions and see others. Lasts...
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Invitations
“Coffee With the Pastor” is simply a time of conversation with me over Zoom. You don’t have to drink coffee to come! In fact, I drink tea rather than coffee so I suppose...
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Blessings
Art and I are so happy to announce the arrival of our grandson, Harrison Linden Halla-Ragland, born to our son, David, and his wife, Michelle, and big brother, Helios, on Wednesday, Feb. 10...
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Going My Own Way
Nearly every day I do things that I don’t want to do. From eating healthy foods (I’d rather have a stack of cookies) to making a difficult phone call to wearing a mask to...
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