A trip to England was a dream of mine all of my life. My senior year of English literature and my love of poetry and writing were the spark. Plus, after doing the Ancestry test to find out my origins, the results showed I am 95 percent English. I was thrilled. I somehow felt that once I stepped on English soil, that somehow it would feel like my homeland. I am so thankful that in the Spring of 2025 I got to see what my heart had dreamed of. Most all of the books I read

The Calico Cottage had a white picket fence And a trellis that grew roses red A patch of green grass held a table set with tea Over by the wild flower bed. And there in my chair As I sip on my tea With pen and journal I write Soft breezes blowing, flowers growing A feast to my taste and my sight. Spending time in God's garden Peaceful beauty around What better thing could I do? Except pour one more cup And share one more plate And spend it dear friend with you. Linda Dodson 2

The first cold, harsh winds blew in November, showing up like an early unwanted guest arriving too soon. Those icy, cold days were the bleakest with not a glimpse of sun to warm our faces. Not a powdery snow which softly blanketed the ground. No. It was not to be. But instead a cold, hard ice that would not even grace us a footprint. Bravery was trudging to the mailbox and expecting to hear the crunch of the grass under my feet. Our grass instead rendered no sound, just

Pulling from the poetry vault of my earlier years. I wrote this poem at 17 while just hanging out at the Walter Hill dam. It was published on the cover of the Senior Issue of The Liberty Bell, (Oakland High School's newspaper) my senior year, 1977. When we were little, I remember going to the river with Mamma, Aunt Louise and Grandmother and Grandaddy for picnics in the 60s. Reflections I sit here and I watch the rolling river I see the sky of blue above my head The birds a

While in England, we saw many beautiful castles and cathedrals. On our journey, lofty places ornately built for worship. And I loved it all. This door is from Christ Church, Oxford, UK. We were able to go through these doors and experience an Evensong service. But, on our way back home, I began to think of places, simple places that also inspire worship. Our creek, a morning walk, the woods, watching the birds...all made and sustained by God. And so these words came...

God's love exceeds the boundaries of my imagination. Therefore, I can dream big dreams. I can see glimpses of His love in a purply pink sunrise or a red orange sunset. A midnight sky a lit with stars like white diamonds or an overflowing cascade of petunias in an early Spring display on a day with temperatures so perfect you could stay outside all day. Or watching billowy, puffy white clouds float across the blue sky on a soft breeze. The warm sun on my face as the ocean

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:16 This summer marks 40 years since I turned to the Lord. The veil over my eyes was taken away and I found freedom. Freedom from myself. In that summer of 1984, alone in my apartment, I gave my life to the Lord. Having come to the end of myself and doing things my way , I sought to know Jesus. The same Jesus I

When I started saying "thank you God" for even the little things throughout my day, I noticed a shift in my outlook. And then I began to...

This is my Bible. Dewey gave it to me 30+ years ago. Its an NIV'84 which is now out of print. It is my most treasured earthly...

Guilt is a funny thing. It sneaks up on you. You see, I have this perpetual tendency to drift. Drift away from intimacy with God. I can...

Today is the day we were scheduled to leave for New York. We were going to walk around and enjoy the sights and walk through the parks....

We have been called to stay where we are, to shelter in place. To be still. Never in my lifetime of 60 years do I remember a worldwide...

God doesn't want your have-tos, He wants your want-tos. But you won't want to-- until you know how very much He is for you and how very...

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, his disciples were right there with him. A large crowd from the chief priests and...

God is a God to be worshipped. To be in awe with Holy fear And yet He calls us His Beloved And invites us to draw near. Come close dear...

There have been seasons in my life marked with difficult times. They stand out like signs on the road of life marked "Detour". If you've...

There is negative thinking. There is positive thinking. There are circumstantial facts, the way things appear to be. And there's the Word...

As I approach 60 I am surprised at how much I am learning about myself. Mindsets that I have had most of my life are unraveling. I can...

But seek first his kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 When things seem off ...

There's a line we cross when we step out and share about Jesus. We are no longer protecting ourselves but saying yes to God. Our...