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Easy
Wouldn’t it be great if it were easy? That’s what it said on the back of the cereal box. It said some other things too, but my eyes stopped right there. Wouldn’t it be great? Wouldn’t it be great if it were easy? I used my pocket knife to cut around the words, and then,…
Wild Trek
For many years now I have had this mental image from a favorite childhood book. I would think of it at odd times while lying in my dorm room, or in my first apartment, or in all the apartments that came after. It was an adventure novel of two men, braving the wilderness and struggling…
Some Doubted
I was reading the other day from Matthew 28, after Jesus’ resurrection: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him; but some doubted (Matthew 28:16-17). Some doubted. I love how bluntly that is stated. One might think that having…
The Girl on the Other Side of the Bathroom
That’s how we knew each other, my suitemates and I. Last week was my second trip to my favorite writer’s conference. (Okay, so it’s the only writer’s conference I’ve ever attended, but still.) We stayed in a residence hall with shared bathrooms between each pair of rooms; I wouldn’t trade those accommodations for anything. Walking through…
Shed Happens
That’s what the sweatshirt said: Shed Happens. It was an appropriate statement, as anyone who has ever worn black pants near my khaki-colored dog can attest. I was thinking of that sweatshirt the other night as my dog and I turned for home, leaving what could have been the remnants of a small furry animal…
Doubting Thomas Sunday
The Sunday after Easter is Doubting Thomas Sunday. It’s true across multiple denominations, and it’s true whether you are on a one year lectionary or a three year lectionary. You may have heard Thomas’ story so many times you think you’ve heard it all. Come with me anyway. On the evening of that day, the…
There Are No Losers Here
I have a tragic flaw. Okay, so I have more than one, but this is the one I’m going to tell you about today. I love sports, but sports do not love me. (Sigh.) I’ve tried softball, but I tend to duck and cover when the ball comes my way. I’ve tried flag football, but…
Shepherds
Some of the most interesting questions are raised during Bible study. Like this one, that came about while reading Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth: And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them… And the angel…
Today’s Quote
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” ~Edward Abbey Who among us would choose difficult over easy? And yet sometimes, isn’t that the point? And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; …
Pursued
Earlier this week as I was passing through the student union, a lady suddenly came running toward a student walking just ahead of me. “Ma’am, ma’am!” She cried. I stepped to the side, as startled as the student who looked up from her cell phone. As I walked by, I heard the lady say: “I…
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Meet Janet!
Janet Beagle, PhD is the founder of The Mustard Patch. She divides her time between the Midwest and New England, and if she’s not writing, she’s probably out hiking with her 2-and 4-footed friends.