Repent   re-pent / ri-ˈpent   verb   to turn from sin and better oneself To grieve over sin is one thing, to repent is another. Frederick William Robertson, 1816-1853   to feel regretful or contrite over past actions To spend the night in anger is better than to spend it repenting. Senegalese Proverb     Repentance re-pen-tance / ri-ˈpen-tᵊn(t)s   noun   the... Read More

po-em / ˈpō-əm   noun   a composition typically written in verse which may or may not rhyme Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree. from ‘Trees’ by Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918   something suggestive of a composition in verse I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. from ‘Trees’ by Joyce Kilmer,... Read More

head-long / ˈhedˌlôNG adjective done suddenly and quickly As a boy holding to a post or pillar whirls about it with headlong speed without any fear of falling, so perform your worldly duties, fixing your hold firmly upon God, and you will be free from danger. Ramakrishna, 1836-1886   done with the head leading; headfirst There is a feeling exactly like that one has... Read More

de-co-rum / di-ˈkȯr-əm   noun   dignified speech or behavior When decorum is repression, the only dignity free men have is to speak out. Abbie Hoffman, 1936-1989   a particular sense of order In golf, the customs and etiquette and decorum are as important as the rules of play. Bobby Jones, 1902-1971   plural, the correct and polite ways in which one should behave... Read More

muse / ˈmyüz   noun   in Greek mythology, any of the nine goddesses that preside over the arts and sciences, usually capitalized The Muse visits during the process of creation, not before. Roger Ebert, 1942-2013   any person or thing that serves as an artist’s inspiration Once you start being a muse, you cannot stop being a muse. Carine Roitfeld, 1954-   the... Read More

dive / ˈdīv, past tense dove / ˈdōv   verb   to intentionally jump headfirst into water Humans are the only creatures with the ability to dive deep in the sea, fly high in the sky, send instant messages around the globe, reflect on the past, assess the present and imagine the future. Sylvia Earle, 1935-   to plunge or drop at a great... Read More

might   might  /  mīt   noun (no plural)   superior power or force Neither the military might nor the economic and technological development makes a nation great. Pandurang Shastri Athavale, 1920 – 2003   physical strength Whatever you do, do with all your might. Latin Proverb   verb   past tense of may For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest... Read More

pre-pare / pri-ˈper   verb   to put in a state of readiness The way you prepare the bed, so shall you sleep. Yiddish Proverb   to put in a correct frame of mind Prepare yourself for when the water comes up to your knees. Congolese Proverb   to plan ahead of time Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. English Proverb... Read More

text / tekst   noun   the words in a piece of printed or written material Apply yourself wholly to the text; apply the text wholly to yourself. Johann Albrecht Bengel, 1687-1752   the original words of an author A key text for me is James Baldwin’s essays. Glenn Ligon, 1960-   a verse from religious scripture Teaching the biblical text means that we... Read More

face / ˈfās   noun   the front of the head, including forehead, eyes, nose, mouth and chin One hand washes the other and both wash the face. Greek Proverb   countenance Easy to know men’s faces, not their hearts. Chinese Proverb   a look or expression on the front of the head When in doubt, make funny faces. Amy Poehler, 1971-   outer... Read More