Topic: Spirituality

A Visit With Martha

By Sylvia Britton | November 4, 2009 |

There’s a certain something in the air when its cold. Something crisp and sharp. Whatever it is, it sets my mind to thinking about the bakery and farm we left behind some 6 years ago.  I miss the farm and the life we had there. I even miss going out to put wood on the fire that warmed our house. I  miss the orchard. I miss my friend Martha.

It seemed so much colder there than here in the winter, even though we were only 20 miles further to the north than we are now. And I do miss the friends we made while we were there. Surprisingly, the only friends we made were Amish people. They seemed to think we fit right in the community. I don’t really know why. We don’t dress like them, talk like them or think like them. That leaves me to think that we connected on a spiritual level, something deeper than clothing or hair; a faith connection that centered around Jesus Christ that not one of us really understood or could account for, but knew that it was there. «Read the rest of this article»

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Fumbling the Football

By Rev. Charles Moreland | May 13, 2009 |

Football ignites the headlines already. The season starts well before baseball season is over – it’s already a headline catcher.  Football coaches at every level of the sport, whether high school or professional, are being reminded that there is a restriction on religious activities that coaches can promote with the team. The Supreme Court stated that a “school district has a constitutional right to protect students from religious coercion…” «Read the rest of this article»

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Someone delights in you

By Rev. Charles Moreland | March 9, 2009 |

A few words directed to a friend, neighbor or family member or even an adored pet, can release a resevoir of strength within . Normally, these are words of appreciation and acknoledgement.

At Fort Leonard Wood, the Army’s largest basic and advanced training post, I served with command leaders to include hundreds of drill sergeants of all ranks. I served, too, commanders that I would have followed into combat at any time and any place. How did these men and women impress me and receive my loyalty? They were leaders trained in reassuring and encouraging others. They elicited a sense of self with new recruits, NCOs and officers with a reassuring word. «Read the rest of this article»

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Add a little humor to your life

By Rev. Charles Moreland | February 22, 2009 |

Humor in Uniform is a favorite section in the Reader’s Digest.  Having served as a soldier and Army Chaplain, for 20 years, in time of peac and for two years of war in Vietnam, I appreciate recognition given our soldiers, even if its humorous.Being rather serious and solemn by nature, I have a psychological need for entertainment, especially humor.  I meet this need for balance for jocularity by selecting cheerful TV programs to watch while exercising at the Athletic Club. When I get there early enough, I’ll watch my all time favorite, M.A.S.H. «Read the rest of this article»

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Spring blooming refreshes our spirit, renews our faith

By Rev. Charles Moreland | February 1, 2009 |

Crepe Myrtle flower

Only a few more weeks and our trees will be budding with new leaves for the year 2009. It is fascinating to watch their transformation in the spring. This budding will be swiftly followed with out brilliantly colored songbirds building their nests among the newly sprung to life branches of the trees. The trees closest to the house will be occupied first, trees that enhance our lawns and the countryside.

In building our house six years ago, we had regular contractors for the project. We went the mile and invested thousands of dollars in the lawn and yard. We hired Tim, a professional landscaper, to plant shrubbery, sod and trees.

For us an appealing and robust lawn was a priority for the property. In childhood, I recall climbing, scaling the robust trees that grew on grandpa’s farm in the Ozarks of Missouri. I recall too climbing the persimmon tree to retrieve the ripened fruit for a snack. My cousin Leroy example emboldened me to climb to the highest branches. «Read the rest of this article»

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Remembering a friend and hero

By Christine Anne Piesyk | January 28, 2009 |

Our family lost a best friend and a hero today.

KeyKey, the rescued Shepherd/Sheltie mix who saved two lives back in August, 2006, died from injuries sustained in an accident.

I’d never been “a dog person,” until I met my daughter Kelly’s dog, KeyKey, a smart, funny, protective  critter who found a second home at my feet, under my desk, on my new sofa, and…well, you get the idea. He wound his way into my heart — a sneak attack of sorts. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | 1 Comment »

Faith based groups: No proselytizing with tax-dollars

By Rev. Charles Moreland | January 24, 2009 |

President Obama is a person of faith; he recognizes the strength (spiritual) that is released in his personal life as he practices daily spiritual exercises.

While on active duty as a U.S. Army Chaplain, I appreciated serving, ministry and  working with chaplains who were also assiociated with the same denomination as President Obama.

Already our new president is strengthening the bonds of religion and society and how government, churches, and religious organizations can work together to better community and country. However, there are guidelines and regulations for each to follow to ensure maximum success.

On the campaign trail. President Obama emphasized his Christian faith;  in speeches he connected faith and public policy. For instance, he spoke about the present “faith-based” initiatives. He recognized the value of a partnership between government and religious faith organizations dedicated to improving communities. He is already pledging  and committing to expanding and renaming the faith-based office. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics, Spirituality | No Comments

Going home: Renewing the spirit

By Rev. Charles Moreland | December 28, 2008 |

There’s no place like home. This sentence stirs my memory as did a story about Jesus during morning meditations.

Our biblical tradition includes many stories, a few credited to Jesus ny his early disciples. In Luke 24:13 a story unfolds about two disciples and an encounter with an unknown person. The heart of this story for me is verse 13: “On that same daytwo (of the disciples) were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.”

Why wree the two disciples unknown by name, bound for Emmaus? Though we walk for pleasure and health, they walked because it was their only reliable means of transportation. Their was no evidence they owned or could rent or borrow a donkey to ride. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Fitness for mind and body

By Rev. Charles Moreland | December 14, 2008 |

I still walk every morning with enthusiasm, for the anticipated events of the day. After a period of meditation, a cup of coffee, and the reading of the local paper, I drive to the Athletic Club where I get my physical challenges for the day.  I like the club for its equipment, personnel, swimming pool and diversions such as aquariums and televisions, but above all the companionship  of other dedicated men and women who exercise.

Yes, I get a spiritual lift at the club, in addition to honing and developing my muscles and maintaining stamina by physical exercise; it stimulates my mental and physical abilities. On the treadmill I can read a magazine such as  (a magazine devoted to religious news), or watch the Golden Girls or Cheers (two of my favorite comedy shows).  These benefits are foods for the soul. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

Re-thinking values in the wake of tragedy

By Christine Anne Piesyk | December 7, 2008 |

In reading about the crushing death of a security guard at Wal-Mart on Black Friday, combined with the number of injuries, and now a lawsuit against the retailer, and then reading of the shooting at a Toys ‘r Us store, I began to feel as if I were moving through an episode of The Twilight Zone. All this tragedy for a TV? A Computer? The latest video game components?

My stomach churns, and I realize again why the sheer lunacy of queuing up in the wee hours of morning for a bargain has never been on my agenda. Never will be. This statement of the American consumer mindset is appalling, and as a nation, we should collectively be ashamed of ourselves. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Business, Opinion, Spirituality | No Comments

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