In the shadow of Zion

Last night my yard was filled
with the flickering lights of fireflies
and the song of a thousand crickets.
Nearly every time I come home now,
there is a rabbit in the yard as well,
looking out from the sides of her head,
as if all that she is watching & hearing
is larger & hungrier than herself.

Here and there, along the way,
a couple of deer, or even a family
of these four-legged beauties,
have leaped across a quiet road,
where so many of their kind have died,
in search of a meal & a place to sleep – one more time.

And it would seem to the man who is sitting
on the nighttime steps, in the shadow of Zion*,
that all of these creatures, through all of their movements,
through all of their songs, languages & habits,
are bearing witness to the presence of the Holy One –
the One who lived, and died, and lived again,
so that all the world, including them,
might live with Him in Paradise – now and forever, Amen.

Taking the weekend 'off': Camp offers military families a free July 4th break. (Photo at right.)

The way we were: 1910. Seminarians enjoy a summer treat.

Life-changing laughter: Church club gets national exposure.

Bring on the fun: Illinois congregation hosts carnival with a cause.

Also: Weighing in on Atlanta decision.

Also: Looking for a few good chaplains.

Also: Do not blink.

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Amber Leberman blogs about resources for young adults.

Kathleen Kastilahn (right) blogs about a pastor who gets good mileage.

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The July issue of The Lutheran (right) is now available online, and our Web site offers two ways for readers to respond.

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