“…Give us today our daily bread…” -Matthew 6:11 As Anabaptist Mennonites we reject the teachings of the prosperity gospel. We take seriously the blesseds of beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount, trusting in the upside-down kingdom that Jesus revealed. Those that gathered near to Jesus knew need, experienced suffering. And this simple andContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 4 – Daily Needs”
Author Archives: shergerber
Joy: Lent Week 3 – The Will of God
“Set the world right; Do what’s best—as above, so below.” -Matthew 6:10 As Anabaptist Christians we understand our call to live in the way of Jesus. As the poem from Saint Teresa of Avila says: Christ has no body but yours. We are invited to join in God’s kingdom work, being agents of shalom. AsContinue reading “Joy: Lent Week 3 – The Will of God”
Comfort: Lent Week 2 – The Holiness of God
“Reveal who you are.” -Matthew 6:9b (The Message) Trends and theories all have their day, and often the most popular are in reaction to something that has come before. For those of us living in the West, our cultural conditioning towards individualism impacts our religious expression as well. We may forget how radical Jesus wasContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 2 – The Holiness of God”
Joy: Lent Week 1 – Imago Dei
“With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven…” -Matthew 6:9 The wallpaper image on my computer is a picture of me and my daughter sharing a laugh. While the photo is now five years old, it brings me joy to see the delight on myContinue reading “Joy: Lent Week 1 – Imago Dei”
Pray very Simply
In times of uncertainty, overwhelm or stress, we can turn to the rhythms and rituals of our lives to ground us. Just as seasons of grief, winter or wilderness force us to wrestle with discomfort and uncertainty, so too, these are opportunities to lean into the practices that sustain us and explore new ways ofContinue reading “Pray very Simply”
Counterbalance: Blessing for Renewal
May the wonder of this world renew you day by day. When you feel distant isolated and alone May you be comforted and companioned by your community When you feel overwhelmed pained and grieved May you simply be through noticing all your body is sensing and experiencing When you feel busy frantic and frenetic MayContinue reading “Counterbalance: Blessing for Renewal”
Counterbalance: The Joy of Transcending Self
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or empty conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.” –Phillipians 2:3 Accessing our connection to things greater than ourselves can bring us comfort and joy. Whether it is through helping someone else, bearing witness to the grief and pain of another, or investing in actions that bringContinue reading “Counterbalance: The Joy of Transcending Self”
Counterbalance: The Joy of Embodiment
“The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” -Genesis 2:7 Honoring our bodies as a gift can be a countercultural perspective. With the barrage of messaging to be smaller, smoother, stronger, younger or healthier (andContinue reading “Counterbalance: The Joy of Embodiment”
Counterbalance: The Comfort of Shared Sacredness
“The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering…” -Luke 3:15 Mary set out with haste to a Judean town in the hill country to be with Elizabeth. Their shared blessing and joy is a significant part of the story of the nativity. A shared sacredness between women experiencing something miraculous. Blessed is she. NotContinue reading “Counterbalance: The Comfort of Shared Sacredness”
Up Next…
We are in the days of midwinter. The excitement and energy of a new year– both church year (Advent) and calendar year (January)–is now settling into the routine and ordinary. Soon we will begin our journey through Lent, the season of repentance and fasting that carries us through the ministry of Jesus. Often, there’s notContinue reading “Up Next…”
some comfort and joy 