Articles

Nothing beats feel-good days of summer

With the dawning of today, we are 18 days past the halfway mark of 2008. Some call these the “dog days.” To me, they are the feel-good days of summer because of what I’ve seen, heard and experienced lately.

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IN THE SPIRIT: Catch of the day comes with proposal and a ring

Move over, Jonah. Make room for a gemstone inside that great fish.

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IN THE SPIRIT: Things will last if we take care of them

Some years, no upkeep whatsoever has been required. This year, I had to do a little chimney repair, and a shutter that had fallen on the snow had to be put back on a window.

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Columns

Shuffling off to Buffalo — 50 years ago!

One of my childhood notions was that people married 50 years were really, really old. I’ve put that misconception behind me because I know couples married 70-some years, such as Rudolph and Katherine Walz, East Grand Forks, and Al and Irene Lindemoen, Grand Forks. They are in their 90s and still so young at heart.

IN THE SPIRIT: You can't miss the Gaithers' Lovin' Life Tour

One of my dreams is coming true! The Gaithers are coming to town. We don’t have to go to Fargo or Winnipeg. Both those trips were well worth it, but this time, we simply have to drive out to The Ralph on Arena Drive. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.

• Naomi Dunavan

IN THE SPIRIT: He has risen! And so have the waters

Last Saturday morning, the Rev. Deb Hanson received an e-mail from Curt Haugen. “Hauling gas for the generator,” it began. “No power at the church. We got the generator started before any water got on the floor. We can’t get to the church this morning to check as there is ice backed up along the Snake River, and we can’t get across with a boat anywhere. We won’t be able to have church for at least a couple of weeks.”

• Naomi Dunavan
• Bigwoods Lutheran Church
• Bigwoods Lutheran Church
• FAITH MATTERS: Choir to sing Easter cantata . . . Presbyterian youth help foster children . . . Glass to speak at cluster meeting, etc.

IN THE SPIRIT: Can you sing ‘put your faith into one pair of hands’?

What a soggy week! When I walked in the yard, before the last blanket of white, my shoes left pockmarks in the spongy grass.

• Naomi Dunavan

IN THE SPIRIT: Baby Mine offers faith, love dreams to grieving

“Loved with a love beyond telling, missed with a grief beyond all tears.” When I Google these words, I see that the author is unknown. But in those words, I hear the voice of a deeply saddened heart and a wounded soul — perhaps over the death of a child.

• Naomi Dunavan
• Kathy Barker
• FAITH MATTERS: Bergeron to speak at Warren Aglow . . . Libengood to present his ministry Sunday . . . Finstrom to speak at Crookston fellowship, etc.

IN THE SPIRIT: In Dietrich Schlitchmann’s case, seeing is believing

Dietrich Schlichtmann has a fan club, and it has a new member — me!

• Naomi Dunavan
• Dietrich Schlictmann
• Great sex: God's way
• FAITH MATTERS: Mormons set seminar for emergency planning . . . University Lutheran sets Schelinder benefit . . . St. Mary’s sets benefit for St. Vincent De Paul, etc.

IN THE SPIRIT: Liturgical legacy

St. Mark’s Lutheran gets church-altaring art form.

• Naomi Dunavan
• St. Mark's Lutheran Church altar
• FAITH MATTERS: House of Prayer to meet downtown . . . Crookston church to screen “Fireproof” . . . University Lutheran sets Schelinder benefit, etc.

IN THE SPIRIT: FCA gives teenagers a sporting chance

Three teenage friends invited Brian Troen to a pastor’s Bible study, and he became a Christian just before graduating from high school in Racine, Wis.

• FAITH MATTERS: Bethel Lutheran to host satellite family seminar . . . GF church finds downtown location . . . St. Paul’s to hold week of Lenten studies, etc.
• Naomi Dunavan

IN THE SPIRIT: Do the right thing — focus on marriage!

The white roses in their burgundy vase that I received from my husband for Valentine’s Day are as lovely as ever on our dining room table. I walk past them 100 times a day, but how often have I stopped to smell them? Not very often! I guess I’m one-half of a pretty typical couple.

• Naomi Dunavan

IN THE SPIRIT: Missionary’s story catches watchful eye

It’s such fun to hear from people who read this column and of the things that happen as a result.

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