Category Archives: Featured

Nothing Wasted

Posted on May 27, 2023 by John

I notice those two dead spruce trees. Should I cut them down. They take up space. They are untidy. But, the mourning dove is there now, cooing. And the red winged black bird trilling; and armies of ants up and … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Diary, Featured, Free Range Philosophy, John's Posts, Spirituality | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Starling Feathers

Posted on February 20, 2023 by John

On the tall maple tree on the south side of our house hangs several bird feeders. Every morning I stand at the window and watch the swarming. My eyes search for the downy woodpeckers, the chickadees, and the flashy male … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Farm Diary, Featured, John's Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cooper’s Hawk Spices Our Day

Posted on February 1, 2023 by John

While our children and grandchildren live in warmer climates, and live lives that are filled with many adventures, life here on Heatherhope Farm, in the frigid winter months, can get quite boring–even more so now that, for the first time … Continue reading →

Posted in Farm Diary, Featured, John's Posts | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Epiphany 4 A: God Chose What Is Not to Destroy What Is

Posted on January 26, 2023 by John

The readings for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany are… Old Testament      Micah 6:1–8 Psalm                    Psalm 15 New Testament     1 Corinthians 1:18–31 Gospel                   Matthew 5:1–12 This is my last pandemic blog post. Why my last? Because … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Epiphany 3 A: The Light of Jesus for Today’s Darkness

Posted on January 18, 2023 by John

The lessons for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany are Old Testament      Isaiah 9:1–4 Psalm                    Psalm 27:1, 4–9 New Testament     1 Corinthians 1:10–18 Gospel                   Matthew 4:12–23 The first few chapters of Matthew have been overture. Now … Continue reading →

Posted in Church and Social Movements, Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Epiphany 2 A: Marching to a Different Drummer

Posted on January 13, 2023 by John

The readings for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany are…  Old Testament     Isaiah 49:1–7 Psalm                    Psalm 40:1–11 New Testament     1 Corinthians 1:1–9 Gospel                   John 1:29–42 Isaiah 49 sets the tone for this Sunday’s readings, describing Servant … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Baptism of the Lord A: God Shows No Partiality

Posted on January 7, 2023 by John

The readings for the Baptism of the Lord are Old Testament      Isaiah 42:1–9 Psalm                    Psalm 29 New Testament     Acts 10:34–43 Gospel                   Matthew 3:13–17 When the author of Luke and Acts thought of the most important implication … Continue reading →

Posted in Church, Church and Social Movements, Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

New Year’s Day ABC: Our Eternal Now

Posted on December 27, 2022 by John

The Readings for New Year’s Day are Old Testament      Ecclesiastes 3:1–13 Psalm                     Psalm 8 New Testament     Revelation 21:1–6a Gospel                   Matthew 25:31–46 There are so many things that the church could mark on this Sunday:  New Year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas Day A: New Lenses for the Eyes of Our Spirits

Posted on December 20, 2022 by John

The readings for Christmas Day are Old Testament      Isaiah 52:7–10 Psalm                    Psalm 98 New Testament     Hebrews 1:1–4 (5–12) Gospel                   John 1:1–14 This past year I have been living inside a parable of the Incarnation. Here now … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advent 4 A: Being A Righteous Man

Posted on December 14, 2022 by John

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent are: Old Testament      Isaiah 7:10–16 Psalm                    Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19 New Testament     Romans 1:1–7 Gospel                   Matthew 1:18–25 Our Gospel lesson today is about that other parent of Jesus. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Featured, John's Posts, Pandemic Blog, Reflections on Sunday Readings, Social Political Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment