By Brenda Black “As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.’ “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and … Read More
By Brenda Black I don’t set out to do good deeds for the applause. I’m just a natural people helper. I’ll jump to aid an elderly person or help a harried parent corral a wandering toddler. I’m quick to lend … Read More
By Brenda Black Some in our little country congregation have traveled near and far and returned safely home to the rural community where I live. Some endured sudden storms this past week that left damaged property, but no injuries. Some … Read More
By Brenda Black It’s one thing to hear of tragedy from a distance. It’s quite another to be very near it. I’m in Denver, Co., just 25 minutes due west of Aurora, a town in grief; and 68 miles north … Read More
By Brenda Black Sorry, I can’t help but talk about it since the only chance for rain is to bring it up in conversation. It’s a disaster – literally. More than 1,000 counties in 26 states are being named natural-disaster … Read More
By Brenda Black Like an epic Bible story, a fist-full of clouds began to assimilate into one long, dark wall of wet potential. We watched the developing front as if it were a cinematic production and wondered how the dramatic … Read More
By Brenda Black The fictitious setting of Mayberry, made famous by Andy Griffith, became America’s icon for community. Simpler times and Aunt Bea’s recipes made Mayberry home sweet home for five decades and still counting. Sincere and quirky characters helped … Read More
By Brenda Black It was 10 years ago this summer that our family vacationed in Colorado Springs. I wrote about our trip, painting a word picture of the vast, spectacular Rockies. I tried to convey how awestricken I was and … Read More
By Brenda Black Three miles. That’s the distance between the home driveway and our little country church, give or take a few hundred feet. The convenience for saving gas is diminished on those Sunday mornings when every member of the … Read More