dual personalities

We have had a lot of rain this past week, so things are really greening up in our neck of the woods. Don reports that “the daffodils and the jonquils have exploded – a feast for the eyes.” I’ll say.

As you know, I am slowly reading through the Bible (four books/one chapter at a time). At the moment I am reading the book of Proverbs and I highly recommend it.

Wisdom is pretty rare these days, but you can find it if you look in the right place.

I am also reading Paul Zahl’s book Peace in the Last Third of Life.

Interestingly, he, after “45 years of conducting services in cathedrals and so-called ‘prominent’ [Episcopal] churches,” is still searching for wisdom. I think he knows his denomination no longer cuts the mustard and he has started looking farther afield for answers, even to Paula White’s Pentecostal church in Florida where she knocked him over with the statement Open yourself up to the Supernatural Power of God. He quotes from an article in the WSJ which said that the ‘moderately’ religious are in the decline in the U.S.A., but that the ‘intensely’ religious are on the upswing. One feels he is on the right track, but the answers (and peace) are not to be found in pop psychology (Be a good listener) or in pop music. The answers are in the Bible and in Jesus Christ. Zahl is still too reserved to come right out and say that.

Here’s more good stuff from Anne who does come out and say it: “But setting all joking aside, I will say once again, with more tears, that if you want to be happy, or have any nice things, you can’t go after happiness or the nice things. You have to abandon yourself into the arms of Jesus who knows what you need and whereof you are made.”

On another note, I want to acknowledge that Saturday is DN’s birthday and to wish our son-in-law a happy day.

He is a wonderful husband and father and an all-around great addition to our little family unit. Praise hands 🙌🙌🙌 and thank you, Jesus. Rest assured we will be toasting you multiple times on Saturday.

Speaking of the weekend, daughter #1 is driving home tomorrow. We hope to put the finishing touches on our plan for driving to Oklahoma and Texas in early April, which is right around the corner. There’s also at least one good estate sale to check out and I’m sure we’ll work in some of our other favorite activities.

Well, hang in there! Check out the emerging floral and fauna in your neighborhood.

Though we cannot love you as we ought, O Lord, let us love you as we are able, that guided by your light and kept by your power, we come at the last, into your glorious presence. Amen.

–Thomas Ken