One of the themes we see throughout the whole of Scripture is a recounting of the wondrous works of the Lord. We see it in the memorial feasts instituted in the Old Testament, in the stones set up as visual reminders, in the rituals and ceremonies prescribed, in the songs that are recorded for us,…
Category: Life
Scripture Through the Eyes of a Child
I’ve written previously about the practice we’re attempting to set this year, of reading through the New Testament as a family. We’re a third of the way through and settling into good rhythms, and it’s been worth the time and effort. (Hopefully my kids will agree in a few years, possibly decades.) One of my…
Enduring Friends
Last week I wrote a bit about foundations, a theme which seems to come up repeatedly in my thoughts. This week I’m visiting another “frequent flier” topic – that of friendship, specifically long-term friendships. I was commenting recently on how I’ve seen friendships come and go over the last 10+ years, and the last three…
Foundations
Books speak to each other. That’s a sentiment often expressed by the host of a podcast to which I listen semi-regularly, and although it sounds a little weird at first, I’ve seen it over and over again. There are relationships between books; the ideas and themes in one can assist in understanding more fully those…
A Brief Observation on Spring
Though summer is truly my favorite season hands-down no doubts, I’ve always loved spring, even with its inconsistency and variability. The first few days of decent weather – like the last couple days here – always feel like an exhale after the stillness and quiet of winter. This is our first spring here at our…
Remember
I’ve reached the book of Judges in my personal reading schedule, and if there’s ever a time when it seems like things are going off the rails for the Israelites, it’s here. Someone, particularly whom I can’t recall, described reading a particular author (Thomas Hardy) as watching a car accident happen in slow motion and…
Interactions with Jesus
One of the simple pleasures of my life that has an outsized impact on my overall wellbeing is participating in the small group Bible study available through my church. I haven’t always been able to participate, and I know there will be times in the future when it again won’t be an option, but it’s…
New Endeavors
We’ve undertaken new endeavors here at the Barton household in 2022 as a family: reading through the New Testament over the course of a year. (Thanks to the pastor at church who did all the leg work of finding plans and printing them and making them widely available at the beginning of the year.) It’s…
Eyes Up!
The state department of transportation in my area utilizes electronic message boards to convey what it considers to be useful information or helpful reminders. Sometimes it is indeed useful – missing person alerts, detours and delays, traffic issues, and weather alerts – and sometimes the messages fall into the realm of punny safety tips. Recently…
The Barrenness of a Busy Life
“Beware the barrenness of a busy life” – Socrates. This quote came through my email recently, courtesy of a CPA firm management consultant whose blog I’ve been following for a few years. The timing struck me as perhaps a bit ironic – or possibly God’s timing as I’m currently the busiest I have been for…