Now most of you troglodytes give little thought to your pens. Some of you think the fact that the occasional survival of a blue Bic Stic in the washing machine is a feature. Many more of you probably barely use analog writing tools at all. You probably borrow, lend, lose, and trash cheap peasant sticks ballpoint pens quite often. In this case, the value of a pen is less than a dollar, and the lifespan of that pen is weeks or months.

I use fountain pens. Since these are easily refillable with bottled ink, they can last a very long time. Now there’s nothing deeply spiritual or edifying in my fountain pen hobby itself, but a couple pens from my collection demonstrate how these writing implements help me reflect on life, beauty, and significance.

My Dear Church Small Groups, Past, Present, and Future:

You have had a larger impact on my personal development than any other institution save my family. From sometime in mid elementary school, I started attending groups of males only led by one or two leaders for discussion and relationship. You, small groups, were always a part of my church groups, and so always a part of my church life. You integrated my church life with my daily life. You helped me apply what I learned from God’s Word to all my life. In numerous ways, would not be the person I am today if not for you. Oh how I have benefitted from thee! Let me count the ways.