By Rev. Debra Jene Collum Chatfield United Methodist Hey mortal one, listen up! That is one way to translate the familiar passage in Micah 6:8. Hey, human being, you who breath, open your ears and listen! In the 8th century before Jesus, when Micah and other prophets were writing, the problems in society looked very similar to any human century. Reading carefully, the … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage – A Love Story
Some days stand out above others. For me, January 31 holds precious memories. It was on that day, 50 years ago that my husband asked me to be his wife. As I look back on the past 50 years, we have had good times and some difficult times. But with the perspective of time, it is easy to spot one characteristic that is noticeable. It is faithfulness. The World Book Dictionary … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Don’t Peek at Cake in the Oven
Part five of a series Three boys were arguing whose dad was the best. “My dad can take a scrap of paper, jot down a few notes, call it a poem and get $50.” Second boy: “My dad can jot down a few notes, call it a song and gets $100.” Third boy: “My dad jots down a few words, calls it a sermon, and it takes EIGHT people to collect all the money!” Sister Agnes Hafner … [Read more...]
The Kitchen Was a Place of Meals, Meetings and Memories
How do we prepare for severe weather in Minnesota? We go to the store. I brought the necessities home and carried them from the attached garage, through the entryway, and into the kitchen because it’s conveniently located. I grew up taking a similar path, except the garage was a shed located a respectful distance from the house. My wife was going through old church … [Read more...]
Are You the Adventurous Type?
By Pastor Bridget Sheely Co-Pastor of Prairieland Parish Are you ready for an adventure? If you were asked today to drop everything, trust in the Lord and believe that He will guide you down a new path and take you on a journey that will change your life would you be willing to take that first step? As Jesus walked along the beach one ordinary day, he met some fishermen … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – The Most Exciting Times: Chicks, Root Beer and Threshing Days
Part four of a series Little Willie rushed into the house, excitedly exclaiming, “Mother, I just saw a man making a horse! Mother told him that was not possible. Willie replied, Well, anyway, I just saw him tacking on the feet!” Sister Agnes Hafner included many jokes when publishing her recollections of growing up on a Houston County Farm in the early 1930s. She noted … [Read more...]
Fresh Off the Farm: Look Out – Pregnant Lady Coming Through
Lately, nothing is safe around me. I’ve entered a feral nesting stage with the due date of our fifth child fast approaching. Somehow my trash bags can’t fill up fast enough, and I hear reports from my niece like, “Auntie Liz is throwing everything away!!” Yes, yes I am. So glad you noticed. Why? They say nesting is a result of hormone changes in pregnancy. I believe it, … [Read more...]
I Was Sorry To Hear About Their Troubles
I read a newspaper from front to back. Except for one thing. When should I read them – before or after I read the funny pages? I’m referring to the obituaries. Not all newspapers carry the funnies, which simplifies my decision. The comics make me laugh, and laughter is the best medicine. I learned early on that laughter is good for the soul, unless I did it … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past – Sundays, Wash Days and School Days
Part three of a series The Pastor wrote to his bishop, “I am sorry to tell you about the death of my wife. Can you arrange to send me a substitute for the weekend?” Sister Mary Hafner included many jokes when she published her collection of childhood reminiscences. During the early 1930s, there was a predictable weekly rhythm to life on farms in Houston … [Read more...]
God’s Good Gifts
By Pastor Mark Woodward Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith Churches (and Lenora) It was a glorious autumn morning. It was early in the day. I was greeted by a beautiful surprise. As I drove down my driveway, I was greeted by a doe deer who stood next to the road. I turned off the engine and let my pickup coast … [Read more...]