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!
Tag Archives: reflection
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”
Comfort: Rest as God’s Provision
“God my Shepherd! I don’t need a thing.” -Psalm 23:1 (The Message) Recently, as my husband and I were in our yard, we heard the cows on a nearby hill munching on grass. They must have been in just the right spot with the wind blowing just so. What a simple, yet profoundly peaceful, moment.Continue reading “Comfort: Rest as God’s Provision”
Practice of Joy: Rest as Self Care
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” -Psalm 91:4 I believe that God looks at us with kindness. Not in a wishy-washy way, just with sincere kindness. Depending on your personality type or the family system you grew up in, you may have more or less successContinue reading “Practice of Joy: Rest as Self Care”
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”
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”
some comfort and joy 