When Clouds Form: Nagasaki and Beirut

On By Phyllis Argent CastrenIn Current Events, History, UncategorizedLeave a comment

A seismic blast formed a mushroom cloud over the Port of Beirut this week. It might have rocked the world, but the world was preoccupied with its own problems. A deadly pandemic, economic collapse, death, and despair. This was the third strongest blast in history. Still, it felt like just one more thing added to the collective loss, pain, and confusion that have become 2020. Caused by human failings rather than war, the Beirut explosion killed at least 135, injured thousands and has left a staggering 300,000 people homeless. It happened 75 …

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One Brick at a Time: Rebuilding and Renewal

On By Phyllis Argent CastrenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Part of Nehemiah's wall in Jerusalem Many things have fallen apart during this strange time of COVID-19. For some, it is a sense of well-being and safety. For others, it is mental health. Long months of isolation have worn down our defenses against anxiety and depression. We are feeling increasingly hopeless.Some people have seen their …

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A Day Like Any Other

On By Phyllis Argent CastrenIn Uncategorized1 Comment

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.Psalm 118:24 It felt like Saturday. That is, it felt the way Saturday used to feel when it was a separate day. It was perfectly sunny and 76 degrees. We planted tomatoes, and I traded extra seedlings with neighbors for a portion of yeast and a face mask. Yeast does not seem to exist in any local grocery. Our neighbors stood on …

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