“Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee… He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone…he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me toContinue reading “Epiphany Joy: Take a picture!”
Category Archives: Practice
Epiphany Joy: Bulbs
“How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” Psalm 36: 7-9 Sometimes it is allContinue reading “Epiphany Joy: Bulbs”
Epiphany Joy: Hope & Expectation
“As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts…” Luke 3:15a The new year brings expectations to the forefront of our thinking by way of resolutions. Often resolutions are focused around things to improve or change. Resolutions and goals are a way to identify hopes and unmet expectations. The storyContinue reading “Epiphany Joy: Hope & Expectation”
Epiphany Joy: Creativity in the Margins
“They set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.” -Matthew 2:9-10 Epiphanies, new understanding, or times of intense clarity need space in ourContinue reading “Epiphany Joy: Creativity in the Margins”
Practice of Joy: Soul Sisters (based on John 11)
“When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.” -John 11:20 As we track with Mary and Martha through the gospel accounts we see the dance of relationship. Sometimes in conflict, other times in alignment. Gifted in with different skills and interest, but both with aContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Soul Sisters (based on John 11)”
Reflection of Joy: Deep breathing
I often find the everyday small things the hardest to maintain. The big projects and important things, the things I feel passionate about, are easier to accomplish with a joyful heart. The dishes, reminding my children without losing patience, weeding, and vacuuming I do with less happiness. It has been helpful to find small, repetitiveContinue reading “Reflection of Joy: Deep breathing”
Practice of Joy: Walking by Water (Genesis 13)
“I have now seen the One who sees me.” -Genesis 16:13b The Bible (particularly the Old Testament) has lots of stories that don’t seem “church appropriate.” What do we do with hard and complex stories of suffering? While Hagar faces many hardships in her life, she is also the first person in scripture to giveContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Walking by Water (Genesis 13)”
Practice of Joy: Eat for Your Heart
“…I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people…” Jeremiah 31: 33-34 A great way to practice joy is to celebrate our bodies and our actual, literal hearts beating away in there. And early spring is theContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Eat for Your Heart”
Lenten Practice of Joy: Meditation of the Heart (Psalm 19)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. -Psalm 19:14 The adage, “What you feed grows,” applies to our minds as much as to our gardens. The psalmist offers with hope that the words spoken and thoughts carried in hisContinue reading “Lenten Practice of Joy: Meditation of the Heart (Psalm 19)”
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Lenten Practice of Joy: Signs of Hope (Romans 4:18)
“Hoping against hope…” –Romans 4:18 After ten minutes of trial and error we were finally connected via zoom. While not preferable, it was the safest option for meeting. A stretch of cold, more than normal wintery precipitation, and the ongoing isolation and limits, we were all of a bit stir crazy. “On my way backContinue reading “Lenten Practice of Joy: Signs of Hope (Romans 4:18)”
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some comfort and joy 