Dear Orange Moon Friends

Friends,

When we first began writing and publishing these messages in the 1990s, I did not yet own a laptop computer. I wrote the devotionals on my desktop and sent them out in that which now seems a very old fashioned way. :). This led me to often carry a briefcase containing a Bible, notebook, and pen in case an opportunity to write presented itself while away from the house. Many of the messages were written in waiting rooms, hotels, coffeeshops, our car, people's homes, and anywhere an opportunity might present itself (several were even written in a beautiful old cemetery through which we sometimes walk). Upon returning home, I transcribed the messages to my desktop computer and sent them out at the appropriate time.

I share this with you because writing with paper and ink, while the same in the most basic sense of communication, does involve a different mental sensibility and exercise. It is not easy to explain, but our minds think at least a bit differently with a pen in hand, as opposed to fingers finding keys. Beginning today (and usually on Saturdays in the future), I therefore plan to return to the old protocol one day a week. I will write the messages on paper, transcribe them to my laptop computer, and send them out. I do this for nostalgic reasons, I suppose. However, I am also intrigued to return to an old way of doing things that was long the only way of composing written material. You will likely notice little, if any, difference. I will notice much, at least in the protocol, and I suspect to a degree in the way I process thoughts and notions on their way to to paper, as opposed to the screen.

We will refer to these once a week messages as "Orange Moon… Paper and Ink Edition." We will sent the first such message in a bit, although we will usually make this a Saturday edition since we do not usually send out devotionals on Sundays. As always, we count it one of the great gifts and privileges of our lives to communicate with you through the devotionals, and thank you so much.


Glen