The Visited Planet
Today as we embark on a New Year, just a week after celebrating Christmas, I believe it’s beneficial to once again ponder the significance of the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. Sadly the Christmas season has become so commercialized that it’s easy to be distracted and fail to be moved with awe and wonder at the birth we claim to celebrate. This was the certainly the case with Charlie Brown who, depressed by the commercialization of Christmas, cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” . . .
Beautiful Dreamer
This touching short story of the healing power of kindness is another one from Arthur Gordon’s soulful book, A Touch of Wonder, published in 1985. As I indicated in a previous post, I discovered this book on my mother’s bookshelf about 40 years ago and have purchased and given away several copies of this book, the most recent to my oldest granddaughter on her 13th birthday. Most of the stories in this book are personal events from Gordon’s life that had a transforming impact on him. Whenever I return to this book I am reminded that all of us have meaningful stories from our lives that have shaped who we are today . . .
Wonders of Nature
Around 1940 Edward Hughson, my great grandfather, wrote to my mother, Mary, and aunt, Helen, a series of poems about his observations of nature in the backyard of his home called “Hilltop Farm” in the Oakland Hills . . .
Resolving to Love Calvin and Hobbes
Three years ago I came across an essay on Calvin and Hobbes that speaks profoundly to both the Law and the Gospel. For those not familiar with Bill Watterson’s comic strip, which ran for only ten years from 1985-1995, it magically explores the life between a young boy and his imaginary tiger . . .
The Meaning of the Sunset
What is it about the sunset that evokes in us a sense of awe and wonder? Is it the sheer beauty and tranquility of this moment? Is it a means of divine grace, washing away the troubles of the day, and blessing us with a sense of peace that transcends our understanding? . . .
Is Your God Too Small?
In the introduction of J.B. Phillips book, Your God Is Too Small, Phillips writes: “If it is true that there is Someone in charge of the whole mystery of life and death, we can hardly expect to escape a sense of futility and frustration until we begin to see what He is like and what His purposes are.” . . .
A Touch of Wonder
A few weeks ago after 14 days with Covid I finally tested negative. Although much like a flu I did experience a physical dullness that carried over to a spiritual lethargy. When I began to regain my sense of smell and taste, I rediscovered an old book published in 1974 titled “A Touch of Wonder” by Arthur Gordon . . .
Finding God’s Fingerprints
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “The Supernatural is not remote. It is a matter of daily and hourly experience, as intimate as breathing. Denial of it depends on a certain absent-mindedness.” . . .
Illuminos
Another moving Brian Doyle essay on the wonder of children. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God”.
A New View of the Moon
When my children were young I purchased a telescope. I remember one time setting it up on my front lawn and inviting the neighborhood children over to view the moon . . .
The Praying Mantis Moment
Brian Doyle, one of my favorite authors, shares a moving memory of his twin sons playing in a soccer game when they were six years old . . .
The Wonder of Children
In 2016 I put my nearly 5 year old granddaughter to bed and happened to record our conversation . . .