“And keep us safe.” Matthew 6:13 Maundy Thursday services will be held in many churches this week. These services often include a simple meal sometimes called a “love feast” or perhaps a seder meal. These meals are designed to help recount God’s faithfulness to God’s people over many generations. How has God shown faithfulness toContinue reading “Joy: Lent Week 5 – Keep us safe”
Category Archives: Joy
Joy: Lent Week 5 – The Practice of Forgiveness
“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.…” -Matthew 6:12 Large scale or small, a daily discipline or miraculous moment of transformation, forgiveness plays out in many different ways in our lives. Living in relationship with others (family, community, church) means that we will have disagreements and conflict, hurt feelings and broken promises. Take someContinue reading “Joy: Lent Week 5 – The Practice of Forgiveness”
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”
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”
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”
Joy: Beauty is a Gift
“Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above.” -James 1:17 The crunch of leaves underfoot, the riot of color in waving petunias, overhearing a giggle shared between young siblings. There are many ways that beauty breaks into the ordinary of our lives. Something given voluntarily without payment in return. Something bestowed or acquired withoutContinue reading “Joy: Beauty is a Gift”
Joy: Beauty as a counterweight to despair
In Monday’s reflection Sherah-Leigh reminded us of the powerful counterweight beauty can be in the face of despair. With intention choose an activity this week that activates a joyful response to the beauty you are experiencing. Here are some ideas, but the possibilities are endless! May the beauty found in God’s creation renew your spirit!Continue reading “Joy: Beauty as a counterweight to despair”
Joy: Beauty Draws Us Closer to God
Spend time today with a form of sacred beauty. Perhaps it’s a beloved scripture passage, a song that makes your heart swell, or taking a walk in a place that brings peace to your soul. Consider the places and spaces in which you feel the presence of God. In the face of limitations, whether thatContinue reading “Joy: Beauty Draws Us Closer to God”
Joy: Awe & Wonder
A few times each year, our family would take a trip to Lancaster, PA. My sisters and I loved going to visit our cousins. My mom’s youngest brother has four boys, and I am the oldest of three girls. Our ages lined up pretty nicely, and we had a ball playing together. We had lotsContinue reading “Joy: Awe & Wonder”
some comfort and joy 