Category Archives: Christian Living

The Comfort of a Cloudy Autumn Day

Posted on October 24, 2024 by Doc Arnett

In the muted colors of a cloudy autumn day, the Spirit speaks softly to the wounded heart, words of peace and comfort. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged autumn, colors of fall, comfort, fall, Holy Spirit, northeast Kansas, peace, Spirit, the Comforter | Comments Off

New Wounds, Old Pains

Posted on September 26, 2024 by Doc Arnett

My battle with depression has taught me several lessons. Among the most useful is the power of appreciation and focus. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged appreciation, Christ, depression, focus, forgiveness, garment of praise, God, grace, Holy Spirit, hurts, pain, spirit of heaviness, worship, wounds | Comments Off

Not Missing the Rainbow

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Doc Arnett

Sometimes, if we push our disappointment out of the way, we may find something even better than what we had hoped for. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged appreciation, attitude, beauty, cedar branches, disappointment, nature, photography, Poetry, prism effect, rain, rainbow, reflections, storm, weather | Comments Off

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