• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer

Stephen M. Miller

Award-Winning, Bestselling Christian Author

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Blog Features
  • Bible
  • Contact
Painting/photo of Jerusalem Temple-Casual English Bible

Sad enough to play a harmonica

Stephen M. Miller
Stephen M. Miller with harmonica
BLUES ON A HARP. Some sad days I just want to curl up and play Red River Valley on the harmonica. But I can’t play the harmonica.

EVER FEEL heavy all over, in a way that has nothing to do with weight?

My fingers are heavy on the keyboard now.

The sky is spitting unpredicted snow again. My snowblower is in the shop. I should get it back today for $160.

I’m working on a cough. Probably bronchitis. The doc will let me know this morning. Likely, it’ll be good news for CVS.

I learned about a day ago that the denomination I’m a part of will probably split soon, if not already.

And, of course, there’s the president—along with many Christians who have his back. Holy smoke and mirrors. It makes no more sense to me than my feelings do to them. How can we understand each other when we feed our minds on different news sources?

I’m so weary of the vitriol that starts at the top and trickles down. Trickle-down indecency. “Trickle” doesn’t feel like the right word.

I just alienated thirty some percent of the readers. But that’s what I’m talking about.

Taking care of business

When you’re looking for a reminder that God’s got this, where do you go?

I don’t mean to presume we don’t need to take responsibility.

We’ve got to take care of our snowblower. Tip: Don’t leave gas in the engine this summer, unless you have an extra $160.

When a cold drops into the chest, see a doc or risk pneumonia. Or worse.

When your church splits, cut your offering in half.

Okay, it probably works the other way. Another reason to feel blue.

When our politicians make our country hate again, we call our senators and congressional representatives and kindly remind them of November to come. Then when it comes, we show up.

Encouragement in the Bible

Where do you go in the Bible for encouragement in times like these?

I’ve been working on paraphrasing the Gospel of John for the Casual English Bible. Here’s my first draft of John 16:33. See what you think.

“Here’s what I’ve been trying to say.  I’m giving you the gift of peace. This world’s full of trouble. But face it with courage. I conquered the world.”

Still, I’d like to enjoy the peace while playing Red River Valley on the harmonica.

I’m not asking for a lot. This thing is only three inches long with just 10 air holes.

David soothed King Saul with a stringed harp. I can soothe myself with this tin harp. I can conquer this thing.

I hope Buddy the Dog doesn’t mind.

Casual English Bible
Bible Gateway

Share this:

  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
View All Posts - Ordered by Most Recent First
« Previous
Next »

About Stephen M. Miller

STEPHEN M. MILLER is an award winning bestselling Christian author of easy-reading books about the Bible and Christianity and author of the Casual English Bible® paraphrase. His books have sold over two million copies and include The Complete Guide to the Bible and Who’s and Where’s Where in the Bible.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gary Kinney

    February 28, 2019 at 8:20 am

    A Psalm of Stephen. You are not alone. So many of us have become weary. I search YouTube for an uplifting message.

    Reply
  2. Steven Grisetti

    February 28, 2019 at 8:24 am

    While I always praise God in my best times, it’s the hard times when God is most real for me. When I’m so far down I don’t know which way is up. When life sucks so badly that only a miracle can help.

    Those are the times when I grow the most with God.

    On the other hand, and despite my willingness to take on all principalities and powers of darkness, it amazes me how devastating a depressing weather forecast can be.

    Reply
  3. Wayne Sacchi

    February 28, 2019 at 8:38 am

    The splitting of the United Methodist denomination could be a blessing to the LGBT community – a new denomination can emerge: The Affirming United Methodist. There are few churches that teach the Gospel (far left liberal is the only choice for Gay Christians) that minister to the LGBT Christians — now is the opportunity for the United Methodist to step up and be that ministry! I’m excited that their will be other options!

    Reply
  4. Mike

    February 28, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Gays will not be able to marry in the church and no gay pastors. Is that the crux of the new directive?

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      February 28, 2019 at 10:11 am

      I think you’re right. But from what I’ve heard, fewer than half the Stateside churches are expected to go in that direction of the anticipated split. It was the African vote that won the direction. It’s illegal to practice homosexuality in some African countries.

      Reply
      • Mike

        March 1, 2019 at 4:59 pm

        Thats going to really hurt the church and probably cause a major split.

        Reply
  5. Julie Brown

    February 28, 2019 at 10:53 pm

    I so appreciate your writings Stephen. I’m going to Google Red River Valley and see if I can find it, it might make me feel better. Maybe I better not do it today cause I’m feeling a little better than yesterday. I love the Psalms, and hugging my pets when I’m down.

    Reply
    • Stephen M. Miller

      March 1, 2019 at 10:59 am

      Thanks Julie. I’ll not ask which is more consoling, Psalms or dogs. Do unto others…

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

Casual English Bible Website

Featured Book

Complete Guide to the Bible

Complete Guide to the Bible
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Books-A-Million
Buy from Christian Book Distributor
Buy from Google Play

Latest Posts

  • I do one thing better than God May 27, 2025
  • When our faith glitches May 5, 2025
  • Job is the right book for me now April 16, 2025

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog Features
  • Books
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy

  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2025 · Stephen M. Miller · All Rights Reserved

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Reject AllAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
%d