Rails of Streetcars Past

As a boy, I remember the faint traces of a bygone era in my city. The rails of streetcars still etched into the streets, though the cars themselves were long gone—bright, humming boxes that once brought life and rhythm to the neighborhoods they passed through. They offered riders fleeting glimpses into backyards, markets, and cityscapes, snapshots of a slower pace of life. Over time, the streetcars disappeared, leaving behind only the silent testimony of those iron tracks.

This memory resurfaced recently when I stumbled across Michael McDonald’s What a Fool Believes: A Memoir. In it, he recounts a summer day in 1956, riding with his father on his final day as a streetcar driver. The details in his story painted such a vivid picture:

"Times were changing, and these electric streetcars were being phased out. My dad arranged to have me join him on this sentimental journey... The streetcar, a PCC Streamliner, was like a giant art deco toaster: beautiful on the outside, hotter than hell on the inside... I can still hear the summer trees rustle as we sped close by them and see the late-afternoon sunlight flickering through their leaves."

Reading this, I could almost feel the summer breeze through the window, hear the hum of the electric motor, and see the lives of strangers pass by in flashes. McDonald’s reflection struck me with a profound truth: so much of life, once vibrant and tangible, fades into obscurity with time. Generational experiences vanish, replaced by new realities foreign to those who follow.

This inspired a thought experiment: How much do we lose with the passage of time? What stories, traditions, and rhythms of life remain only in the hearts of those who lived them? The streetcars were not just a means of transportation; they were a window into life itself—one that now exists only in memories.

Moved by these thoughts, I wrote a song called Rails of Streetcars Past. It’s a tribute to those echoes of the past, a longing to capture what’s been lost to time. Here’s an excerpt:

There’s a whisper in the street, where the iron tracks remain,
A song of motion lost to time, now only rust and rain.
Bright boxes painted red and gold, they used to glide with class,
Now all that’s left are shadows—rails of streetcars past.

We live in an age where the old is constantly being replaced by the new, often before we’ve had a chance to appreciate what was. But every so often, a memory surfaces—a sound, a smell, a story—and reminds us of what once was. For me, it was the rails of streetcars past.

There's a country version as well.

Rails of Streetcars Past (CV)

Just Be Mom- not 'Supermom'

I originally posted this in 2008 and thought it needed some freshening and re-posting

Who can truly count the value of motherhood? What an impossible task! It is a calling so immense, so profound, that words inevitably fall short. 

 Motherhood is not a performance or a race—it is a journey, walked hand in hand with the Lord. Remember, Proverbs 31 is not a checklist to overwhelm you, any more than 1 Corinthians 13 is for love. These passages are descriptions of the work of the Spirit in and through us. Trust God to guide you step by step. It is His work in you, and He blesses through the circumstances of your life. Lean into Him, and He will sustain you.

A Legacy Worth Noting

Let me hold up as an example Sarah Edwards, the remarkable, though often unknown, wife of theologian and pastor Jonathan Edwards.

Much of it is recounted in a wonderful book entitled “Marriage to a Difficult Man- The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards”, written by Elisabeth D. Dodds.

Sarah’s life was not an easy one. As the mother of 11 children and the wife of a man wholly devoted to ministry, Sarah bore the immense weight of managing her home, nurturing her children, and supporting her husband in his demanding work. She endured what many Puritan women faced: long hours, little rest, and endless responsibilities.

Yet, her legacy is extraordinary. A.E. Winship conducted a famous study comparing two families: the notorious “Jukes” and the Edwards family.

The Jukes (an anonymous name Winship used to protect the actual family), a family originating from one 18th-century immigrant, were described as a “tribe of idleness, ignorance, and vulgarity.” Over 1,200 descendants cost the state of New York $1.2 million in welfare and custodial care. Only 20 of the 1200 Jukes had ever had gainful employment!

In stark contrast, Sarah Edwards’ family line, built on her faith, resilience, and reliance on God, produced an astounding legacy of contribution to society:

• 13 college presidents
• 65 professors
• 100 lawyers, including a law school dean
• 30 judges
• 66 physicians, including a dean of a medical school
• 80 public officials, including:
  • 3 U.S. senators
  • Mayors of 3 large cities
  • 3 state governors
  • A U.S. vice president
  • A controller of the U.S. Treasury
• 135 authors
• Hundreds of missionaries

Winship observed:
“Much of the capacity and talent, intensity and character, of more than 1,400 of the Edwards family is due to Mrs. Edwards.”

Sarah’s story reminds us of the power of faithfulness. She could not have known the full extent of her impact, but her quiet, steadfast trust in God bore eternal fruit.

Mothers, your labor is not in vain. The daily grind, the sleepless nights, the moments when you wonder if you are making a difference—all of it matters.

Sarah Edwards’ legacy was not about perfection but faithfulness. She leaned on God and trusted Him to work through her. You are called to do the same.

• When you feel overwhelmed, remember: God’s grace is sufficient.
• When you feel unseen, know that God sees every act of love and sacrifice.
• When you feel like you’ve fallen short, trust that God works through even your imperfections.

You may not see the full harvest of your work, but be assured: the seeds you are planting now have the potential to bless generations to come.

My prayer for you, dear moms, is that you would see the fruit of your labor. I pray that you would find joy even in the mundane moments and hope in the hard ones. May you know the depth of God’s love for you, and may His strength sustain you as you pour yourself out for your families.

You are loved, cherished, and appreciated beyond words. Thank you for your beautiful labor of love.

Bless you!

Navigating the Gray: Finding a Compass and Road Forward in a World Gone Mad

First thoughts- 2025.......

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

[8] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. [9] What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4–9 ESV)

The world feels like it’s spiraling into chaos. Conflicts rage across the globe—in the Middle East, between Russia and Ukraine, and within our own borders as political upheaval and economic disparity strain the very fabric of society. Fear and anger seem to drive the day, and everywhere you look, there is mistrust, division, and a sense that we’ve lost our way.

It doesn’t help that the extremes on both the right and the left dominate the conversation. On one side, there is the loud insistence on rigid tradition, nationalism, and distrust of institutions. On the other, there is an unyielding focus on identity, cancel culture, and a disdain for any opposing view. These extremes don’t just oppose each other—they feed off one another, pulling the center further apart and leaving no room for dialogue, let alone solutions.

The Overton Window—a term coined by Joseph P. Overton—refers to the range of ideas and policies that are considered politically and socially acceptable at any given time. This range is not fixed; it shifts based on public perception, media influence, and the actions of influential figures or movements. When the Overton Window shifts dramatically, as it has in recent years, ideas that were once moderate can suddenly appear extreme, while previously fringe views may gain mainstream acceptance. This phenomenon often leaves moderates stranded, mischaracterized, and marginalized.

In this environment, fear rules the day. Fear of being canceled, fear of betrayal, fear of losing ground to “the other side.” It’s as though we’ve forgotten how to listen, how to work together, how to build something lasting and good. We’ve chosen to fight over every scrap of ideological territory instead of searching for the common ground that could unite us. And the cost of this division is staggering: broken communities, paralyzed governments, and a society that feels increasingly unstable and unsafe.

But there is another way. 

For me, as a Christian, the path forward begins with staying engaged. Disengagement—whether out of fear or frustration—is not an option. I need to be a voice of peace, forgiveness, and love in a culture that seems bent on tearing itself apart. That doesn’t mean retreating from the chaos; it means stepping into it with courage and an olive branch in hand. It means trusting God for justice while leading with grace.

Paul's words to the Philippians can really help us in this time- it is a great verse to help us navigate the gray.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

To navigate the gray, I believe we must be forceful and courageous enough to speak out against the extremes on both the left and the right. This isn’t about taking the easy road of criticizing “the other side” while excusing our own—it’s about being honest enough to call out the wrong wherever we see it. And it’s about promoting values that unify rather than divide: free speech, the welfare of others, and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. This is REASONABLE.... a lot of what we are contending with in our world right now is UN-reasonable.

And we can do this with a positive spirit- REJOICE!- The Lord is at hand.... nothing He allows will be beyond His eternal control.

I’m convinced that the root of this crisis isn’t political—it’s moral and spiritual. No government policy or election outcome can heal what’s broken. That healing, I believe, is found in following the teachings of Jesus: loving our neighbors, seeking justice tempered by mercy, and walking humbly with God. But even as I hold to this conviction, I know I must respect the dialogue of the marketplace. We need spaces where people of all beliefs can agree to stand for peace, non-violence, and a society of laws that protect people, their families, their freedoms, and their property.

The first steps are simple but not easy. They involve listening more than speaking, seeking understanding instead of assuming the worst, and extending grace even to people where it’s undeserved. They involve staying engaged even when the work feels impossible, and trusting that small acts of kindness and courage can ripple outward in ways we may never see. And above all, they involve holding fast to hope—hope that light can still pierce the darkness, and that the world, though mad, is not beyond redemption.

As we engage the culture, we have a roadmap for collective values and the promotion of the common good under the common grace of the Almighty.

whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Our culture at large will never completely agree on a list.... but there are some obvious things we can all agree on..... if we can't rally around that, chaos will burn it all to the ground.

It's funny how we make New Year's resolutions this time of year and to be honest, they are shallow and self focused a lot of the time. And it makes sense.... "What can I do to solve issues in the UK?"

However, there are things I can do to be better, make my small community better, and hopefully our nation and world better.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

For me, I need to remember PRAYER. There are a lot of people who have given up on prayer, doubt it, mock it, and rebel against it.

But prayer is a position that I am powerless to do much good and a cry to ONE who can. It's the one thing we can all do and it has an amazing by-product.

I was challenged during the Christmas break to not write a whole bunch of resolutions, but just pick one word for 2025. 

So here is mine.... PRAYER.

And if I am successful in doing that?

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

So this January, I'm going to be posting some pieces on prayer, I should have predicted the Lord was leading me this way, because He had already put some thoughts in my head on an earlier post in December- 

A Post on Prayer and a Rooster's Crow

The best way to fulfill a resolution is to build in some accountability- anyone want to explore the month of January with me to flesh out a practical and sustainable practice of prayer?

Feel free to reach out - jayopsis@gmail.com