Renate's Reflections

  There have been many dark days throughout the course of human history. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and wiped out an entire city. The black plague took a toll on the human population from 1346 to 1353 and touched every family in some way. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor devastated the US Navy and turned the harbor into a tomb. More recently, 9/11 sent close to three thousand people into eternity and has affected the health of first responders in the years since. And even more recently, COVID-19 became the worst pandemic since the black plague. Today, Good Friday, is without a doubt, a remembrance of the darkest day in history. The Lord Jesus had been arrested the previous evening. He was then subjected to accusations, beatings, mockery and was passed back and forth between Pontius Pilate and Herod. Neither of these men wanted to be the one responsible for Jesus' execution because it could mean political suicide. In the end Pilate caved and handed the Lord over to the p

  Someone close to my church family recently went through a very harrowing experience. As traumatic as it was for those of us praying constantly for him, it can't compare to what he actually faced. That valley is behind him now, but the memory won't fade any time soon. One statement he made struck me right in the heart and took me back eight years to when Doug and I were awaiting the results of the first scan after the first rounds of chemotherapy. He said, "When you sense that you are not in control, that's when you have an accurate understanding of reality. Thankfully, the gospel introduces us to a caring Father - our loving, benevolent Sovereign. In that, we can rest. God is good." I remember the feeling when I was faced with reality. It was something I had not expected and it shocked me. We were at the Cleveland Clinic cancer treatment center waiting for results of the CT scan. The doctor came flying around the corner, his lab coat fluttering behind him, into

     If it weren’t for the heat, humidity and the fact everyone speaks Portuguese, I might believe I’m in an old European town. The cobblestone streets are narrow and winding with little room to maneuver. As I punch a destination in Google Maps, I see our route will take us well around the city with several switchback turns. It’s not until I take the car out that I come to realize the incline on some streets is so steep the front wheel drive car I’ve rented can barely make it to the top. When it rains…forget about it. My rental and I become The Little Engine that Could .      There is a rich history in Ouro Preto (Black Gold) in Minas Gerais. The city was settled in the late 17th century and has always been known for its gem stones. I drove over to the Tiradentes Plaza this morning to do a little souvenir shopping. What I found was an unusual assortment of soapstone items ranging in size from a small box to an entire coffee service. And there were so many jewelry stores.     A man behi

           The family I stayed with recently has a dog. He’s a poodle named Scotty and he is the happiest mutt I’ve ever seen. He looks like he has a perpetual smile which is hard to imagine because he’s a dog. But smile he does. Call his name and he’ll come running for a belly rub and a head pat. He’ll take whatever I have to give.         I was scheduled to speak at a women’s conference last weekend and my host family was taking me to the church where it was held. We planned to go to the retreat center afterward to spend the night. It’s a nice relaxing place to spend a few days and not far from the church holding the conference.           There had been discussion for a few days as to whether Scotty should go or not. He often stays with my hostess’ mother and the plan was to drop him there on the way out. Several circumstances prevented that, so Scotty went with us. The following is an account of his weekend.           Scotty saw the suitcases and backpacks stacked by the front door