from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). Thresholds are times pregnant with possibility and rife with uncertainty. Sometimes they are welcomed, even chosen, but sometimes weare forced to stand on the ledge and face the murkiness of the unknown. Advent is a threshold season. The stretch between Thanksgiving (inthe United States)Continue reading “The chaos of thresholds…”
Tag Archives: devotional
The Chaos of Thresholds
from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). The act of blessing is a way of recognizing sacredness. It is a way of inviting God into all that is unfolding, into our experience both in pain and petition. The words of invocation are offerings of care and courage for you as youContinue reading “The Chaos of Thresholds”
“Preparation”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Praces for Advent, Herald Press, 2024. Preparation, then, is the perfect focus for this first week of reflections and practices. In Advent we prepare our hearts so that the outward signs of the season become acts of kindness and creativity instead of a frustrating list of seasonal to-dos. WeContinue reading ““Preparation””
It’s the Holiday Season…
While Advent is still 19 days away, the first signs of snow in my area make it feel like the holiday season is upon us! And there is no doubt that the swirl of activities, opportunities (and stressors) that come with the holiday season are here. For some of us, it is a wonderful timeContinue reading “It’s the Holiday Season…”
Joy: Practicing Wholeness (Luke 8:48)
“Jesus said, ‘Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!’” -Luke 8:48 If you didn’t get a chance to read Sherah-Leigh’s reflection on Monday take a moment to do that now! Take time this week to journal or think about your hopes for healing and comfort.Continue reading “Joy: Practicing Wholeness (Luke 8:48)”
Comfort: Suffering (2 Corinthians 12:10)
“Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 The Message Human beings all suffer. Some of us suffer through prolonged physical painContinue reading “Comfort: Suffering (2 Corinthians 12:10)”
Joy: Practice Routines
In times of grief, anxiety or change, routines can help us, especially ones that keep us connected with our body. During a recent period of change in my life I found a daily walking schedule was a grounding experience. The changes that were happening in my family life were not under my control and IContinue reading “Joy: Practice Routines”
Poem of Lament
Lament pose Laying flat on the wet groundrain washes over me.The earth girds me from underneath. My tears mix withshowers from the sky.Somehow this painwill leave me soaking into the soil. We hope that this has brought you some comfort and joy. If this has been meaningful for you please like, comment or share this withContinue reading “Poem of Lament”
Series Intro: Fall Lament
Fall is here and manifesting all the beauty of transition. Flowers change from their glorious colors of summer and work instead at the job of spreading seeds out into the world. Leaves change from supple green light collectors into crunchy brown someday-soil scattered on the ground. I love fall. The cool temperatures and brisk breezesContinue reading “Series Intro: Fall Lament”
Comfort: Rest in our Body
“You make my lot secure.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;Surely I have a delightful inheritance.Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;My body also will rest secure.” -Psalm 16:5,6,9 (NIV) Many of us live with disquieted spirits, unsure of our futures. And we are not alone; 40 million Americans struggleContinue reading “Comfort: Rest in our Body”
some comfort and joy 