Author: debanncuster

“Now we see things imperfectly,like puzzling reflections in a mirror,but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.” ~1 Corinthians 13:12~ “Speak not, whisper notHere bloweth thyme and bergamotSoftly on thee every hourSecret herbs their spices shower.”~Walter de la Mare, “The Sunken Garden”~ Under other monikers such as wild bergamot and horsemint, the Oswego Indians used… Continue reading Bee Balm

https://youtu.be/84YASWe3_2Q?si=yeBLy8IbvyuA5ecP “Abide with me:fast falls the eventide;The darkness deepens;Lord, with me abide:When other helpersFail and comforts flee,Help of the helpless,O abide with me…”~Henry Francis Lyte~ In a dark time, the eye begins to see,I meet my shadow in the deepening shade…~Theodore Roethke, “In a Dark Time”~ Stunned out of our early morning sleep, we watched… Continue reading Abide

https://youtu.be/tl3GrkRHsvk?si=_10kf6typBkSXJm7 “After all:  when our Lord sought refuge, when his heart was troubled, it was not to the temple that he went to pray. It was to the garden.”~Fred Bahnson, Soil and Sacrament, p.6~ “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me… Continue reading Refuge for the Lonely

https://youtu.be/xrAdbH28gIg?si=Hx1FJy2iDnYffbVM I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places,that thou mayest know that I, the Lord,which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.~Isaiah 45:3~ “Whatever my circumstances inward or outward may be,however thick the darkness which encompasses me,I yet can trust…that all will be well,that He… Continue reading Dark

https://youtu.be/tl3GrkRHsvk?si=_10kf6typBkSXJm7 “After all:  when our Lord sought refuge, when his heart was troubled, it was not to the temple that he went to pray. It was to the garden.”~Fred Bahnson, Soil and Sacrament, p.6~ “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me… Continue reading Refuge for the Lonely

https://youtu.be/lKw6uqtGFfo?si=ss-FH6oTCC7cFBS2 “Any kind of leadership will involve opposition.The greater the responsibility,the more your troubles will multiply and your critics increase.”~Nicky Gumble~ Much Madness is divinest Sense -To a discerning Eye -Much Sense – the starkest Madness -‘Tis the MajorityIn this, as all, prevail -Assent – and you are sane -Demur – you’re straightway dangerous -And… Continue reading Lent

https://youtu.be/uBjnNF7rbJY?si=DLDDAQcyyN5rN4BO   “Ephphatha!”(Which means “Be opened!)~Mark 7:34~ “Jesus not only opens ears—he releases and opens up your whole being—your heart, mind, emotions, finances and every other part of your life.”~Nicky Gumble~ The last time I was outside of North America was over thirteen years ago. The day before we were set to fly out for… Continue reading Open

https://youtu.be/-TwkcXZsvTo?si=juUePezy24YXQW4j “If thou indeed derive thy light from Heaven,then, to the measure of that heaven-born light,Shine, Poet! In thy place, and be content…”~William Wordsworth~ “And now in age I bud again…Thou hast a garden for us where to bide.”~George Herbert~ In Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden, Mary Lennox initially hates the moors of the… Continue reading Bloom

https://youtu.be/lgAjwZ5G-Pw?si=NLDldGdPDoC8agbZ work:  1. activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. wonder:  1. desire to be curious to know something. “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”~Nehemiah 6:3~ “When they saw… Continue reading Work

https://youtu.be/EMXUiMA0IIE?si=lwcqAhyB1Aqstgix “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”~Matthew 9:36~ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you… Continue reading Rest