A couple of weeks ago, two of our adventurous rangers – Sarah and Drea – went on a backpacking trip through Buckskin Gulch and Paria River Canyon. They were prepared to hike four days through deep water, over logjams, and around quicksand. Not quite my kind of trip but they were excited. The first day …
From Worship Experiences
Two Sundays in September for Preaching
The little church we attend in Kanab, Utah, recently lost its pastor. She announced one Sunday that she was leaving and the next Sunday was her last. It seemed rather abrupt compared to the extended leave-taking of United Methodists. She didn’t even stay to say goodbye to the congregation after the service. Because it seemed …
Pruned and Picked so We Can Grow
In John 15:1-8, Jesus talks about pruned branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, …
He Passed Away, to No One’s Regret
I was reading 2 Chronicles recently in my devotions, and a line about Jehoram, king of Judah, made me think. Jehoram was not a king who followed what God wanted for Judah. He killed his brothers when he ascended to the throne and led the people in worship to other gods. God punishes him with …
Bread of Life: Never Hungry?
For the second Sunday in a row we attended the United Church of Kanab and Fredonia. For the second Sunday in a row the sermon was about bread. Pastor Martha Moler was back and preached on the lectionary text of John 6:25-59. In John 6, Jesus talks to his disciples about being the bread of …
Sermons: Sometimes the Shortest Are the Best
My work schedule has changed. As of last week, Tom and I no longer have to work on Sundays! Hooray! We can go to church again! So, last Sunday we headed for the United Church of Kanab-Fredonia, which we visited in May. We found the congregation just as friendly and welcoming as on our previous …
Stars Which You Set in Place
Tom is helping with a night sky event being held here at Pipe Spring National Monument in September. He will be in charge of one of the powerful telescopes pointing toward different constellations and planets. Tom knows all the constellations and has tried, unsuccessfully, to teach them to me. I just don’t see well at …
Asking for the Things that Matter Most
I am praying for a friend of mine who needs a transplant. I have been praying for her every day. Usually I pray that she will be able to have her surgery quickly and that it will be a success. But the other day I stopped in the middle of my prayer to consider what …
Maker of My Heart, Maker of My Soul
When I was weaving and talking to a group yesterday, one of the people who was listening said, “Wow, you are really a maker!” He was referring to the maker movement, which is a return to hands-on building in response to an increasingly industrialized age. A consumer goes to Walmart and buys a rug that …
Shade from the Heat, Shelter from the Storm
Tom and I are living in northern Arizona for the summer. We knew when we signed up that it would be hot here, and it is. In the last two months, the temperature has been over 90 almost every day. June was very hot with quite a few days over 100. Because we work most …