AMEN: Easter Blessing Sometimes in the wintercold wraps around meWhere is God? Sometimes in the nightit’s hard to knowWhere God is. Sometimes weare the disciples waitingin the darkit must have feltlike winterWhere is God? ButEaster morningAlways comes like springbursting through thecold and darkblossoming with possibility Jesus is risenJesus is hereJesus is coming again
Tag Archives: mennonite
Joy: Lent Week 5 – Keep us safe
“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”
Comfort: Lent Week 5 – Forgiveness
“Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.” Matthew 6:12 There is an ancient Asian proverb that tells of a monk who carried a rich lady across a puddle so her feet wouldn’t get wet. The ungrateful woman did not thank the monk for his kindness. Miles down the road the monk’s apprentice asked howContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 5 – Forgiveness”
Joy: Lent Week 4 – Our Daily Bread
Enjoy some bread this week, acknowledging God’s provision for each of us. Do you have a favorite bakery or coffee shop? Find some time to visit and be thankful while you enjoy a yeasty treat. Do you enjoy baking bread of your own when you have the time? Bake some, and enjoy the beautiful scentContinue reading “Joy: Lent Week 4 – Our Daily Bread”
Comfort: Lent Week 4 – Daily Needs
“…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”
Comfort: Lent Week 3 – Set the world right
“Set the world right;Do what’s best- as above, so below.” Matthew 6:10 (The Message) “So many bad things have been done in the name of God. How do we know we are doing the right thing?” a friend asked during a Bible study. This is such a good question and one that many of us haveContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 3 – Set the world right”
Joy: Lent Week 2 – Holiness of God
For your practice this week find some time to enjoy the Lord’s Prayer set to music. There are many versions. Music, of course, helps us to remember, and a beautiful or catchy tune often springs up unbidden again later in the day. Find a musical version of the Lord’s Prayer that you love and play,Continue reading “Joy: Lent Week 2 – Holiness 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”
Comfort: Lent Week 1 – Our Father
“Our Father in heaven…” -Matthew 6:9 I love hearing all the names children call their parents and grandparents. There are so many and they are generally endearing. When my son Joel was little he sometimes called me Mama, which warmed my heart. Now that my children are in college and middle school, I’m usually justContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 1 – Our Father”
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”
some comfort and joy 