Category Archives: Christian Living

On Seeing Michael McCain for the First Time in Twenty-four Years

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Doc Arnett

He finishes parking his carAs I swing into the space beside himIn Don Senor’s parking lot. We trade one-armed man hugsAnd go inside to a booth near the back. It was hard to watch and hard to not see The … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged death, faith, grief, loss, old friends, separation, sorrow | Comments Off

The Pursuit of Happiness

Posted on August 30, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Scripture, as far as I am aware, never mentions our “pursuit of happiness.” That pursuit is a never ending chase that never satisfies. We forego true joy in exchange for the empty illusions of this realm. Jesus promises abundant life … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged happiness, Jesus' care, joy, provision, pursuit of happiness, well-being | Comments Off

Old Friends, New Blessings

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Doc Arnett

On my current visit in Kentucky to work on my daughter’s house, I received a quite welcome and rather unexpected invitation. A very dear friend and brother in Christ who lives in Lexington contacted me indicating that he would like … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Spiritual Contemplation, Worship | Tagged Anthony Martin, Bluegrass Region, Dana Martin, friends, Kentucky, old friends, reunion, worship, worship leader | Comments Off

Perspective

Posted on August 14, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The worst day I have ever had
Was better than I deserved. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, grace, gratitude, humility | Comments Off

Felling the Old Elm

Posted on August 9, 2024 by Doc Arnett

There aren’t many times when a man more needs a bit of luck and the power of prayer than when he uses a chain saw to cut down a big tree. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged chain saw, cutting firewood, danger, dead elm, firewood, luck, old fence, old tree, prayer, risks, sawing old tree | Comments Off

Jesus Puts a Smart-Mouthed Woman in Her Proper Place

Posted on August 7, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Sort of a backwoods retelling of the story of Jesus and the Syrophenician woman. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Humor, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged deliverance, demon, demon possession, healing, heathen, Syrophenician woman, wisdom | Comments Off

Burning the Brush Pile

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Sometimes behavior that seems quite strange–like burning brush on a really hot day in July–makes complete sense when we know why. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Farming, Metaphysical Reflection, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged brush pile, burning brush, fire, horses, love, nature, protecting others, protection, strange things, trees, understanding others, wilted leaves | Comments Off

Old Smoke and Cold Coffee

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Doc Arnett

The flavor and smell of a cold cup of strong coffee brings back strong memories of Pap Bazzell. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Gardening, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Profiles, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged grandfather, hard work, memories, molasses, Pap Bazzell, pipe, pipe smoke, Prince Albert, smoking a pipe, sorghum molasses | Comments Off

Kayaking at Wildcat

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Doc Arnett

It is the first day of July in Western Kentucky but it feels more like October:Beautiful blue skies with a few high white clouds,late afternoon temperature in the 70’s,and humidity remarkably low for this time of year. Two of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Exercise, Family, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Benjamin Arnett, father and sons, Jeremiah Arnett, kayaking, Kentucky Lake, paddling, Wildcat Creek, Wildcat Landing | Comments Off

The Silence of an Entry Home

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Jeremiah has left for a whilelate in a Lord’s Day morning,taking Amos and Isla with him. Misty has taken Miah and tiny Ellisto go over to another daughter-in-law’s house for some professional baby pictures. I am left here alone for … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged emptiness, grief, loss, Poetry, sadness | Comments Off