Posts Categorized: Pastor’s Ponderings

Let us pray for the year to come, For each day, For every week, For all 12 months that wait their turn To challenge us, as they may.   Lord, let them be gentle But even when they are not, Let us remain confident in you.   Lord, let there be joy in their moments…. Read more

There are some cold dark days In December when I understand That faithfulness is not enough- That night will come no matter What I have done that day, That red ribbon and sparking lights Cannot undo a thing that did not go well. Well, there is no second verse- I go on, trying to perfect… Read more

How quickly I forget The woman in the parking lot Who begged of me some mercy She really didn’t need, Then drove off without a wave.   Not really, I still remember Because I was provoked. And now she NEEDS my mercy, My forgiveness- Or is it I who needs the mercy My forgiveness will… Read more

I am reminded, by an old poem, that sometimes the poorest in spirit among us know more about generosity than we can imagine:   She stays home. She stays healthier that way. Life is hard, And the minutes are sometimes unendurable And she does what she can, Everything her doctor tells her, Keeps up with… Read more

Be ever mindful Of the least of these, The chickadees Searching for crumbs In the snow.   Be ever mindful Of the student, Working even during finals week, Yearning to get past it all.   Be ever mindful Of the parent, Nudging and prodding and shoving To get sleepy children All to school.   Be… Read more

Lo, he comes When we get our Christmas cards Addressed and mailed, And Lo, he comes When Main Street Is decorated And lit at night And Lo, he even comes When WalMart stocks their shelves With Christmas items.   But Lo he also comes When the poor stand in line For our leftovers And Lo… Read more

We were hungry- gaunt, even- And he fed us, and sent us home With leftovers.   Our throats were parched from thirst, And he offered us cold, sweet water From a spring deep within the woods.   We were naked, and cold And he wrapped us in his own Oversized flannel robe, and fur slippers…. Read more

A cold day, a quiet walk in the woods, me all bundled up – ‘Tis good for the soul.   Then there is this – encountering a good friend, seldom seen, a broad smile on your face!   It is like honey, on Aaron’s beard. I wish everyone such joy.     George R. Pasley… Read more

TAPS   They made war- We made war- And called it the war to end wars.   They made new weapons- We made new weapons- Horrible, deadly weapons.   Sixteen million people died, Millions soldiers, Millions not- Killed, Buried in the ground, And mourned. We prayed for peace But they kept on dying. There was… Read more

Who were the saints, Those folk in the windows of my memory, Who twinkled in the light of God?   They were too close to me To seem like saints- Their faults in full view, Their humanity all too real.   But they persevered And time pulled us apart, Some gone now forever, And like… Read more