from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). As we mark the longest night and now anticipate the growing light… Blessing for the dawn On the wild edge, on the threshold, when you are unsure, longing, and vulnerable may you be held with love. In the distress, In the defeat, when youContinue reading “Blessing for the Dawn”
Tag Archives: prayer
Blessing for the Waiting
from Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025) When the light is dim, and I wonder . . . Remind me that you come near; for I am waiting. I am expectant. I am preparing; for I know you work wonders. For healing, for reconciliation, I am waiting. You announce mysteries. YouContinue reading “Blessing for the Waiting”
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”
Blessing: Summer gifts
long hot afternoonsjoint warming heatripe sweet cornjuicy tomatoescampfires cracklesandy beachesmoutain hikescool poolsschool’s outchildhood freedombreezy morningschange of pacean invitationafternoon napslong books eyes focusedon the abundanceof summer. Hoping you experience the blessings of rest and joy this summer!
Comfort: Easter Morning
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
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 6 – Humility
“Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” -Matthew 6:13 Lent begins with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. The forty days of testing are reflected in our forty days of fasting. The wilderness in its various forms ends up being a place of revealing. When we reach the end of our resources, we must faceContinue reading “Comfort: Lent Week 6 – Humility”
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”
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”
some comfort and joy 