Wonder Winterland

My first thought was: "Uh-oh. That white stuff is not cotton." From the time these pictures were taken - about half an hour ago - the white stuff has gotten even deeper. The National Weather Service says that this is a two-part storm, and the second part should "come in with a vengeance" today, with three more inches of snow today, six more tonight, and about five more tomorrow.

It's very quiet all around, which means this is a great time to catch up my reading. I'm almost finished with A Grace Disguised by Terry Sittser. Terry is a college professor of religion. He thought would give him a basis for understanding his grief when in one automobile accident his mother, his wife, and his four-year-old daughter were all killed instantly. He admits he was wrong about that. He is kind enough to share the ways in which he has learned to live with his loss, go on with his life, and rest in God's amazing love.

Next on my reading list is So You Don't Want to go to Church Anymore by Jake Colsen. I don't really know what that is about, but I can guess. On Tuesday of this week, as a part of the Rocky Mountain College Symposium on religion in American life, the speakers met with area pastors. Part of our discussion centered on the growing number of people who claim their religion is "no religion." I have a theory about that, and it finds expression in a line from The Book of Common Prayer:

I ask your prayers for all who seek God, or a deeper knowledge of him. Pray that they may find and be found by him. (p. 386)

My theory is that this prayer is for all of us, regardless of "religious" stripe or the lack thereof.

Lots of food for thought during my first big Montana snow-in. Now I have to run along and make a pot of soup.


In peace,

Linda
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Vicar, Holy Cross Church Episcopal
http://www.holycrosschurchbillings.org/
406-208-7314