Words of Hope: Sincere Devotion

It is Valentine’s Day, a day most people focus on romantic love. However, the namesake for this day was deeply devoted to so much more than romantic love. There are many legends about Saint Valentine, many around him restoring...

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Words of Hope: Good News

Dad and I memorized a beautiful poem by Wendell Berry. One of the poignant lines says, “when despair for the world grows in me…” Despair is the opposite of hope. It is the helpless feeling of careening out of...

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Words of Hope: Miracle Life

A friend of mine told me she heard about my dad’s love for calling people “a miracle.” She began to do this as a substitute teacher in a Western Washington school district. She puts her name on the board...

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WOH: Able to Move

Our family liked to tease Dad that he would be peaceful hearing about his car being wrecked but enraged about five crumbs on the table. He would laugh along with us, and we would have a good conversation about...

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Words of Hope: Dark Ages

I just finished a historical book on Florence.  After reading it, I felt compelled to write an unfavorable review. I usually never write unfavorable reviews because I like to give others the benefit of the doubt. The man, clearly erudite...

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WOH: Seeds of Faith

Some of my daughter’s friends are incredibly kind and remarkable people. They do not know what they believe about faith. They are curious but feel inadequate in the face of deciding what to believe. When asked about life after...

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Word of Hope: Tomorrow!

I am reading a historical novel about Quebec set in 1697. The author, one of my favorites, did extensive research for this book. She described many who came to Canada from France leaving family, privilege, and comforts behind. This...

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Words of Hope: Dad’s Favorite Number

Dad loved the Trinity. He literally was ecstatic about the community and unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because of his deep love for this, one of his favorite numbers was three. When he was in Italy at...

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Words of Hope: At All Times

I have been meditating on the first part of Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” I consider the words, “at all times.” This is a topic Dad and I discussed often. “At all times” means...

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Words of Hope: The Lord

I continue my meditation of the first verse in Psalm 34. The beginning of the verse says, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” I consider the word “the” and how important this small word is in the...

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