St. Benedict once said that “always, we begin again.” I have been embracing that a lot these days, realizing that more, now than ever, we need God’s divine hand to wipe the slate clean of our mistakes and failures, and of our anger and hate.

In this new episode of Old Stone Well Farm, I share with you my thoughts on clean slates. I also share a recent event that opened my eyes of faith and in which renewed my heart that has been lagging and heavy for far too long.

It was also an event that reminded me that no matter what the situation is, God is there moving among us. (I also reveal a little tidbit about myself that I have often kept quiet for many, many years.)

So pull up a chair and join me! Make sure to share with others!

I recently had a week to myself. I didn’t travel to any place exotic. Instead, I putzed around my own backyard, exploring places that I often take for granted. I found myself exploring cottages and cabins from a timber framing company, hoping to find inspiration for my prayer chapel. They were too pricy and the waitlist was long.

I then explored an old school house from 1852. It was at that school house that I remembered how we need to learn (or in my case, relearn) that in a bad news world we need to seek the good — the Good News found in God’s Word.

So if you have been feeling like there is just too much heartbreaking news weighing you down, then come and join me here in Vermont for a mini escape from it all!

Pull up a chair, sit with me as I share some wisdom from the Good News and how that school house visit reminded me of America’s pioneer girl, Laura Ingalls Wilders, and how she had once created a go-to list of Scripture verses to go-to in her time of need. I will share some of her favorite verses, along with my own.

I look forward to our visit together, and share with me what verses would be on your list. Then share them with a friend. Better yet, invite them to Old Stone Well Farm, too, for there is always room for one more here in my 18th century home.

Now more than ever we need to join our hearts together in prayer for the world we are living in.

Blessings!

Tasha Tudor once said that when the shadows of gloom are in the world, it is then we need to “take” joy.

I have had one heck of summer dealing with a rude and hateful world. Okay. Maybe I am being dramatic here, but I am so eager to begin a new fall season, one that always brings me joy.

Just the other day, I realized how the simple task of picking pumpkins put a smile on my face.

St. Francis used to say that simple joys were holy. He is right.

So join me my friends for this episode where we revisit our joy jars (I introduced this to you in January) and talk about how seizing joy each day can indeed help us cope with a world that is getting ruder by the minute.

If you don’t have a joy jar and would like me to share a joy with you from mine, leave a comment or email me at accidentalcountrypastor@gmail.com.

And share with us all your recent joy or joys!

Blessings!