Category: Simply Soul Searching Blogs

GLIMMERS OF LIGHT

While hiking along Meek’s Mountain, surrounded by lush green darkness, I noticed these glimmers of light on the leaves. They radiated hope for my discouraged soul… Recent weeks have felt heavy for Jim and me. He and other high school teachers were told to… Continue Reading “GLIMMERS OF LIGHT”

REVEALING GOD’S KINGDOM

A friend once shared with me his vision of our eternal heavenly kingdom as a time when we will get to see all the good differences we have made for others, especially the differences we may not have known. I was reminded of this… Continue Reading “REVEALING GOD’S KINGDOM”

VENTURING OUT (OR NOT)

As Jim and I were quietly exploring St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, I turned into a small corner of the sanctuary and came upon this stained-glass image of Jesus rescuing fearful Peter from the water. Tears suddenly filled my eyes, for I recognized this as… Continue Reading “VENTURING OUT (OR NOT)”

HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?

My sister Janet had cautioned us that the path around Jordan Pond would be challenging, but Jim and I set out with confidence. We had our hiking sticks and walking shoes. We had our strength and stamina from regularly hiking farther than the distance… Continue Reading “HOW LONG WILL THIS LAST?”

“SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER”

My Reader Friends, I will be pausing my regular posts for these next weeks, but for all good reasons. The remaining summer days will be filled with family times, travel times, and more in-depth writing times! Thank you for your companionship here; I am… Continue Reading ““SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER””

THIS IS THE MOMENT

Several events from this week have prompted today’s reflection… On this day the sunshine and blue skies are dimmed by the smoke from the Canadian forest fires. I know everyone is deeply concerned for those who are more directly affected: firefighters, animals and habitats,… Continue Reading “THIS IS THE MOMENT”

SWITCHBACK WISDOM

As Jim and I hiked up Meek’s Mountain, I was grateful for the switchbacks that helped us gradually climb onward and upward. We would hike in one direction for a while, then turn around in the opposite direction as the trail took us a… Continue Reading “SWITCHBACK WISDOM”

THOSE FUTILE GRUDGES (AND AREN’T THEY ALL?)

When Jim and I first moved to this area, we noticed a sign posted on a lawn along the main street of our new town. We couldn’t read all the words as we drove by, but we gathered that these folks were angry because… Continue Reading “THOSE FUTILE GRUDGES (AND AREN’T THEY ALL?)”

LIMITING GOD’S LOVE

Years ago, the ELCA churches in northwest Ohio united for an event in which volunteers hiked or biked from one church to the next. The event was intended to foster connections between the churches as we prayed for one another and for our communities… Continue Reading “LIMITING GOD’S LOVE”

ANOTHER PRAYER FROM A STRANGER

My friend Debbie and I were chatting over cups of coffee when the topic of prayer came up. She mentioned my recent post* about my annoyance when a stranger stopped to bless me, and then asked a thought-provoking question: “What would have made the… Continue Reading “ANOTHER PRAYER FROM A STRANGER”