Uncloistered

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  “She gazed ahead through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls in a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness. Outside was the fervid summer afternoon; the air was filled with the sounds of the busy harvest of men and birds and bees; there were halloos, metallic clatterings, sweet calls, and long hummings. Louisa sat, prayerfully numbering her days, like an uncloistered nun.” A New England Nun By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930)

What do you give?

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"I'd like make three points today," a minister began his sermon one Sunday. "First, there are millions of people around the world who are going to hell. Second, most of us sitting here today do not give a damn about it . . .

. . . my third point is that you are more concerned that I, your pastor, said the word 'damn' than you are about the millions of people going to hell."

Having undivided attention, he proceeded to preach a sermon on putting obedient faith into action.

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