“I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I will keep the Lord always before me…Therefore, my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.” -Psalm 16:7-9 In the Jewish tradition, Sabbath begins at sundown, and I have been drawn to this idea ofContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Resting our Body”
Category Archives: Practice
Practice of Joy: Embracing God’s Provision
“The Lord is my shepherd…he leads me beside still waters.” -Psalm 23:1-2 “Rest ruins our reputation for being superhuman,” writes Saundra Dalton-Smith in her book Sacred Rest. While many of us love the imagery of green pastures and still waters, rest usually is the thing that falls to the bottom of our list. The tyrannyContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Embracing God’s Provision”
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”
Practice of Joy: Altogether Now!
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21 The big idea is that true fun is a combination of play, flow and connection. These three working together create restoration in our lives. As you go about your daily tasks this week, take some time to reflect on the concept ofContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Altogether Now!”
Practice of Joy: True Fun
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” -Matthew 6:21 What would really ruin the fun, is to add “true fun” to the list of things that you need to do this week! But maybe we could all look at how we choose to do some of the tasks or hobbies inContinue reading “Practice of Joy: True Fun”
Joy for your Body: Movement
“ Meanwhile, Jesus would slip away to deserted places and pray.” -Luke 5:16 It’s not always what you do but how you do it. As someone who struggles with how to actually implement self-care this idea has helped me understand in a new way. For me, exercise has been a concrete example to practice self-care. Continue reading “Joy for your Body: Movement”
Joy for your body: Embodied Humans (Genesis 2:7)
“Then the Lord God formed 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 Taking care of our bodies is the most basic way to love ourselves. So often in the western church bodies have been looked down on. Continue reading “Joy for your body: Embodied Humans (Genesis 2:7)”
Time for Joy: Making Peace (Jeremiah 29:11)
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Take some time today to listen to a song that brings peace to your soul. Remember, accepting that the list is unending, can be aContinue reading “Time for Joy: Making Peace (Jeremiah 29:11)”
Time for Joy: In the now (James 4:14)
“Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.” James 4:14 This week make some time to focus on being present in the moment. Try out one of these practices: Picture drawing a box in your mind. As you draw the first side of the box, breathe in slowly. Draw the second side andContinue reading “Time for Joy: In the now (James 4:14)”
Epiphany Joy: The Comfort of Home
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. -Psalm 84:10 For me the feeling of being truly at home is one of complete peace. Perhaps it is a feeling of comfort orContinue reading “Epiphany Joy: The Comfort of Home”
some comfort and joy 