I wrote a "book" of Chester's and my adventures on our pilgrim walk from D.C. to Pittsburgh on the C&O Canal/Allegheny Passage Bike trail while for sabbatical I was learning the Gospel of John by heart. That was twelve years ago. Today I said good-bye to Chester as he settled in for his final sleep. This story seems appropriate. Some of you have heard pieces of it in … [Read more...] about War and Peace of a Beloved Beast
peace
Psalm 141 (Psalms on the Trail)
"Let my prayer rise before you as incense; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2 Not far from my home, the Appalachian Trail skirts a corner of this lake. There's a bench here. When I sit down and see mist rising, I think of this verse: "Let my prayer rise before you as incense." These words are sung in our Lutheran evening prayer and I know … [Read more...] about Psalm 141 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 120 (Psalms on the Trail)
"Too long have I had to live among the enemies of peace. I am on the side of peace, but when I speak of it, they are for war." Psalm 120: 6,7 Today I offer a poem by Jan Richardson posted on her blog "The Painted Prayerbook." I am sure the psalmist of the words above would understand exactly what she is saying. Blessing in a Time of Violence Which is to say this … [Read more...] about Psalm 120 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 85 (Psalms on the Trail)
"Steadfast love and faithfulness have met each other; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." Psalm 85:10 There is a love affair going on between steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness (also known as justice) and peace...a love affair that exists in God's presence. Hopefully these are found in some measure in our most intimate love and family relationships as … [Read more...] about Psalm 85 (Psalms on the Trail)
Psalm 4 (Psalms on the Trail)
"I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." Psalm 4:8 My reflection on this verse: When my dog, Chester, and I hiked the C&O Canal trail, we could go for miles with few places to sit. If we stepped off the narrow towpath, there was sure to be a bountiful harvest of poison ivy nearby. If we sat down on the … [Read more...] about Psalm 4 (Psalms on the Trail)