That was the title of a sermon by Pastor Jim at Good Shepherd in Reno...many...years ago.  (Yes, Pastors....sometimes we DO actually listen!).

He was using his wife's seasonal affective disorder, and the turn of the winter solstice, as an effective illustration of the Christmas story. He discussed (with her permission...) her difficulty coping with the shortening days every fall. Since June we have been edging ever more into darkness...each day a few more seconds.....

Last Sunday was All Saints Day.  It was tradition at Faith Lutheran in Elko for us to write the names of those who had died during the year, and Pastor would read the names and offer prayers during the service.

It then became my own tradition to remember my patients who had died during the year.  I kept a list and those were the names I would write during the service.

....that's what I like best about living here. 

I am (and always have been) an early riser.  I wake usually at 5:30 (tho today is was 3am for heaven's sake!), and drink my coffee upstairs...

The sun soon starts to shine through the clouds over the ocean....and sunrises here are almost always spectacular....

The Shack, a book by William Paul Young, tells the story of one man's close encounter with the Triune God. It is sad and affirming and touching and joyful.....

This week I had a chat with my dear friend from back home in Elko.  She told me all the news that was news. And most of it was not of a happy sort.  We talked for an hour...and I hung up the phone feeling a great sadness.....

The text for this week's sermon was Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calmed the storm. Pastor, during his sermon spoke of not only those storms that scare us and cause damage, but also those times when life is too benign. He referred to an area of dead calm in the sea, “the doldrums.” It was here he said, where we...went nowhere.