This week on Christmas Eve, I attended a worship service like many other Christians around the world. The story of the birth of Christ was read and the verse that stood out for me was the following: And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy … Continue reading Fear Not: Shepherds and Online Dating
Author: conniesedona317
Christmas: Focus on Love
Now it's just days away from Christmas and time to finish all the preparations. The season's not as frantic as it was when I was working and raising our sons. But still, time goes by quickly and things I intended to accomplished will be left undone. This is the 4th Sunday in the Christian season … Continue reading Christmas: Focus on Love
Choosing Joy: Holidays and Ordinary Days
This Sunday is the third of the Christian Advent season. The Shepherd's candle will be lit and symbolizes Joy. I have lots of memories of singing the triumphant carol, "Joy to the World!" with small, lit candles held high with fellow worshippers. Photo by Miff Ibra on Pexels.com At those moments, I was mostly thinking … Continue reading Choosing Joy: Holidays and Ordinary Days
Walking a Path of Faith
This Sunday will mark the second in the season of Advent and the Faith candle will be lit. For me, the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph on their sojourn to Bethlehem, is mostly a story of faith. The practical reason for this trip was to pay taxes. But the overarching story is to fulfill … Continue reading Walking a Path of Faith
Subtleties of the Season: Leaning into Hope
Over the days leading into Thanksgiving, I watched the changing of colors from the bright autumnal golds and reds to the muted monochromatic of beige and browns. Beauty is less obvious in the fading, but it's there in subtlety. While the bold oranges of Halloween get our attention, the muted colors of waning flowers and … Continue reading Subtleties of the Season: Leaning into Hope
Rites of Passage: Divorce
Last night I resumed my binge watching the series Nashville on Netflix. I'd enjoyed that show when it first came out in 2012 until it ended in 2018. I liked the drama around musicians and was familiar with the city of Nashville, where my younger son went to college. Now, I can slip into a … Continue reading Rites of Passage: Divorce
Solo Journeys: Wide Open Spaces
When I rode my bike last weekend at Ft Caswell, I was transported back to my second Solo Journey. That year I turned fifty and gave myself a trip--alone, for my birthday present. I'd remembered how freeing that first unexpected serendipitous trip to Sedona had been when I was forty-six: no carpooling teenage sons, no … Continue reading Solo Journeys: Wide Open Spaces
Artist’s Retreat: Ft. Caswell
Today I returned from my writing retreat at the Ft. Caswell Coastal Retreat and Conference Center in Oak Island, North Carolina. I appreciated that even though I'm not of the Baptist denomination, the facility is open to folks, like me, who are not. What a gorgeous setting on the 250 acres that was part of … Continue reading Artist’s Retreat: Ft. Caswell
Keeping Our Dreams Alive
Last Saturday, I attended a birthday lunch for my brother-in-law, Winslow who was celebrating his 75th. Reference was made to it being his "3/4th of a Century Birthday."; that really put it all in perspective. I'm about four years behind him and have had many conversations with my peers about life passing by so quickly. … Continue reading Keeping Our Dreams Alive
When the Morning Glories Bloom
Late last spring, I planted two seed packets of Heavenly Blue Morning Glories. Years ago when I first saw that vine with trumpet-shaped blooms spilling over a mailbox. I stopped in my tracks, startled with an "Oh my!" at their azure-blue unlike any other flower. Soon after that, I found myself in the garden aisle … Continue reading When the Morning Glories Bloom
Connie Rosser Riddle 