Monthly Archives: August 2014

A Prayer for Strength and Comfort

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Doc Arnett

In the midst of our deepest struggles, we should always remember that God’s own Spirit intercedes for us, “with groanings too deep for words.” Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetry, Prayer, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged comfort, Holy Spirit, intercession, Jesus, Jesus' intercession, needs, strength, the Comforter | 4 Comments

The Challenge of Teaching

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Doc Arnett

It seems like there is nearly always some degree of tension in teaching a subject area that you really love… especially when you have to teach it to people who don’t share your enthusiasm. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Spiritual Contemplation, Teaching | Tagged adolescence, college teaching, education, enthusiasm for learning, learning, passion | 1 Comment

Second Time Around

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Doc Arnett

Is it complete ineptness, acute perfectionism or sheer insanity when you actually have to rehearse doing the Ice Bucket Challenge? Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Humor, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged ALS, Ben Jackson, Cynthiana KY, get it right, Ice Bucket Challenge, Lou Gehrig Disease, perfectionism, rehearsal | Comments Off

The Ice Bucket Challenge

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Doc Arnett

Having got caught early on last spring in one of those “Take the Plunge” challenges, I’ve been lying low lately, hoping to avoid the “Ice Bucket Challenge” or whatever it’s called. I thought I had made it, frankly. The likely … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged ALS, Ben Jackson, benevolence, Cynthiana KY, Don Riley, fund raisers, helping, Ice Bucket Challenge, Lou Gehrig Disease | Comments Off

Storm Cloud Sunrise

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Doc Arnett

The same weather that produces bountiful crops makes for lots of mowing. Even a season of too much rain offers its own moments of beauty, though.
Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Farming, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged attitude, blessing, crops, El Nino, harvest, strange summer, sunrise, wet weather | Comments Off

A Good Race

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Doc Arnett

I faced a bit of a dilemma last weekend. After getting news of my mother’s death early Thursday evening, I had to decide what to do about the mud run on Saturday for which I’d registered back in April. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Exercise, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, Sports | Tagged Earlham Iowa, honoring Mom, honoring parents, Mud Run, Ruby Arnett, Ruby Herndon Arnett, Warrior Dash, Warrior Dash Iowa, Winterset Iowa | Comments Off

Never Her Own Person

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Doc Arnett

I can’t speak to her years of growing up, of being a teenager but I suspect that as the oldest of at least eight children, Mom probably never really had the chance to be a kid. If memory serves me … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships | Tagged eulogy, identity, own person, preacher's wife, Ruby Arnett, Ruby Herndon Arnett | Comments Off

The Sharing of the Centuries

Posted on August 20, 2014 by Doc Arnett

For all of those who have shared, and will continue to share in these expressions of love and mercy, I give thanks. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged comfort, condolences, funeral, Ruby Arnett, sadness, sorrow, sympathy | Comments Off

What Shall I Grieve?

Posted on August 15, 2014 by Doc Arnett

My mother was granted release from the prison of flesh last evening. She was 99 years old and died peacefully with some family members present. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Resurrection/Return, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged comfort, grief, grieving, mother's death, mourning, rejoicing, Ruby Arnett, Ruby Herndon Arnett | 2 Comments

Even in Darkness, Light

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Doc Arnett

One of Mom’s favorite scripture quotes is “all things work together for good for those who love the Lord.” Finding comfort in that today… Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Metaphysical Reflection, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged all things work together for good, August mornings, comfort, dew, God's care, peace, providence, tranquility | Comments Off