Monthly Archives: August 2023

Prayer Cat — Guest Post by Janeen Adil

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Maren

(I feel blessed by this poem by Pennsylvania poet Janeen Adil … and I am a dog person) Because I thought to pray,    I sat, closed my eyes. Aware he was watching me,    I kept them shut – … Continue reading →

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Prayer for those facing Idalia (1 King 19)

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Maren

God, you are not in the wind,not in the earthquake or fire,you are not in the flood,terrible heat,never in the spinning storm, but, yes, you are in wind, fire, flood,earthquake and you are inHurricane Idalia, for you are inside each … Continue reading →

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Smaller Dream

Posted on August 28, 2023 by Maren

(Sixty years ago Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and gave the speech commonly called, “I have a Dream.” I have been reflecting on it all day. His words will ring forever. … Continue reading →

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Russ Snider June 3, 1915-August 26, 2005

Posted on August 26, 2023 by Maren

I remembera story my father toldabout the job when he was tenin Prairie Hill, Missouri,getting up every night to runfrom his Dad’s mercantile storeto the railway hoteland wake the conductorand the engineerfor the three AM freight. He would not leavetill … Continue reading →

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A library is like this … Luke 13: 20-21

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Maren

(So … having been self-promotional about libraries, how about this, my reflection on why they are so important) A library is like this …a little Internet is mixed into all the books,and the audio books and still DVD’sand the Mahjong … Continue reading →

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Postscript on Libraries

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Maren

I was so delighted to learn that due to the kind advocacy of Rev Katherine Burgess both of the Rev and Rye mysteries are being acquired by the only English language library in Quebec City, which is in the Morrin … Continue reading →

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A Little Book Promotion!!! Libraries and Book Clubs

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Maren

I am excited to learn that the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, library has “Death in the Woods,” thanks to Christine Wagner-Hecht — I was born in nearby Iowa City! More libraries!!! Please let me know if you get a copy of … Continue reading →

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Don’t skip Psalm 133

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Maren

(Someone said to me … it’s so short, don’t bother, after all – it’s all about the beard) It’s not about the beard – it’s about the oil –blessing oil for God’s children                                  who live together in harmony. Oil is … Continue reading →

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Reflection on the story of the Canaanite woman

Posted on August 14, 2023 by Maren

(Matthew 15) She is not the downward facing dog,and he is not at his godliest,and yet a child is healed. And, if you’ve everlet your ignorance show,like toilet paper stuck to a shoe,or your first reactionflash like tooth-spinach,or your prejudice … Continue reading →

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Praying 1 Kings 19 for Hawai’i

Posted on August 10, 2023 by Maren

God, you are not in the winds of Dora,not in the fires raging in Mauiand the Big Island,and the only quake we feelis your opening our hearts,to listento the terrible silence of loss. You are in Maui, in Hawai’i,a companion … Continue reading →

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