While we have been in Chattanooga, Tom and I have been attending Fort Oglethorpe Presbyterian services on Sunday evening (we work on Sundays in the Point Park Visitors Center). We get home from work at 5:30, change our clothes, and head directly to church. I never thought going to church on Sunday evening would be …
From Worship Experiences
Sunrises and Sunsets
One of the great joys of being parked where we are in Chattanooga is the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Every morning, over the misty field to the east, I watch the sunrise above the trees. I’m not sure how many pictures I’ve taken – each one seems more spectacular than the last. Every evening I …
Lost and Found
Last week when Tom and I were homeward bound after our short road trip, I started to get a sinking feeling in my stomach. I unbuckled my seat belt and searched through the back seat. It wasn’t there! I asked Tom if he had carried it out from our hotel room. No, and neither had …
Intercessory Prayer
I practice regular and systematic intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is when you pray for others – you intercede with God on their behalf. I think half of the texts and e-mails I send include the words, “I’m praying for you.” And I pray for people whether they want me to or not. I don’t ask …
Saints in a Day
Have you ever wanted to perfectly serve God: to love him with your whole heart, follow him completely, stay within his will perfectly? I think we all have this desire, to a greater or lesser degree, every day of our lives. And we would especially like to do it if we could do it today …
Narrow the Road
Yesterday Tom and I returned to the evening service at First Presbyterian in Fort Oglethorpe. Rev. Allen’s sermon that morning had been on Matthew 7:13-14 and during the evening service he asked us to gather in small groups to discuss what he had said about the passage and what we thought about it. Several people …
Taking Ourselves Lightly
One of the things I really enjoy about retirement is taking myself lightly. I tend to be a really serious person which is one of the reasons I fell in love with Tom. He is brilliant, but he is not a serious person. He made me laugh and play – and he still encourages me …
I Press On
Yesterday was the Ironman Triathlon in Chattanooga. Over 3,000 people entered the race to swim 2.4 miles in the Tennessee River, bike 116 miles along the base of Lookout Mountain, and then run 26.2 miles in downtown Chattanooga. Each stage of the race has time limits and shutdowns. If you do not complete a stage …
Lou Gardner
Lou Gardner died last night. Surrounded by love and prayers, she went back to God who sent her to us so long ago. Lou was a member of the church I served for 21 years and she was a memorable character, but of a type that everyone who attends a church will recognize. Lou’s mother …
God Directs Our Steps and Our Stops
This line was in a devotional I read recently: “God directs our steps and our stops.” I completely agree with the first part of that phrase, but I had to think for a while about the second part. The author was basing the devotion on Psalm 37:23-24, “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one …