“Hope” is the thing with feathers -That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all”

—Emily Dickinson

@ourtinycottage

Latest Posts

  • Digest and Links to Religious Subjects in the News for This Week

    What should be the focus of the first 100 days of the Obama administration? http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/the-first-100-days/the-first-100-days-be-attentive-to-the-vulnerable-stick-to-your-ideals/2092/   On the death of John Updike and his relevance as a writer on theological themes: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/january-27-2009/john-updike-1932-2009/2078/ and http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2009/01/john_updike_nor.html   According to a new Pew… Continue reading

  • STEP UP Devotions for January 26-February 2

    Luke 6:20-49 These thoughts come from the Sermon on the Mount from Luke’s gospel. They are both a review of the sermon in Matthew 5-7 and another perspective. Our comments are brief here and designed to propel questions for digging… Continue reading

  • Fear that Leads to Knowledge

    The concept of the fear of the Lord has only relatively recently come into some disrepute and distaste. Somehow it does not find a comfortable seat at the table of our kind and gentle theologies where a grandfather God presides… Continue reading

  • STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS: Week of January 19-25

    January 19 –(Mat 7:24 KJV) “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” – There are two steps to the process of preparing… Continue reading

  • Proud to Be American

    I am sitting here with tears in my eyes, a lump in my throat, and a chest that is swelling up with pride and gratitude for the unique privilege of being an American. I am full of hope and courage… Continue reading

  • Add Value to What You Already Know

    The author of Proverbs crescendos his litany of purpose for compiling the teachings contained therein with this goal in Proverbs 1:6, “To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.” The implication seems… Continue reading

  • Wiser and Wiser

    Why do wise people get wiser? It is because they listen and commit themselves to a lifetime of learning. It is because they are not afraid to get guidance and counsel. They are discerning enough to know that they don’t… Continue reading

  • STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS: Week of January 19-25 January 19 –(Mat 7:24 KJV) “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” – There… Continue reading

  • The Discreet Elegance of Prudence

    We must be taught to be subtle. It is an art form. It is a delicate touch, a certain finesse with which we exercise discretion and restraint because we have lived long enough and learned enough to know how. The… Continue reading

  • STEP UP Devotions for January 12-18

    STEP UP DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS Week of January 12-18   January 12 –(Mat 7:15 KJV) “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” – The Bible nowhere advocates naiveté that makes His… Continue reading

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