O Lord, God of my salvation, at night, when I cry out before you,let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. -Psalm 88:1-2 Fall brings dramatic noticeable changes to the plant life in rural Virginia. Fall is even more dramatic for its reminder that winter is on its way. This seasonContinue reading “Practicing Release – Psalm 88”
Tag Archives: somecomfortandjoy
Coming soon…
Life is ever-changing, and we each participate in the ebb and flow of want and fulfillment; the cacophony of busy-ness and the gentle quiet of spaciousness; the quickening of creativity and winds of change. Our seasons of life change and come around again, so much like the seasons of the year. Our newest book isContinue reading “Coming soon…”
The New Year is Here!
Thank you for journeying with us again this Advent season. We are delighted to share our reflections, practices and books with each of you. As I look ahead to the new year, one image sticks with me. It is a simple picture. I can envision myself on one of my daily walks up and downContinue reading “The New Year is Here!”
A different kind of waiting…
from the conclusion of Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). Nature’s rhythms remind us that fallow times are necessary, that periods of dormancy bring growth. We are now invited to a different kind of waiting. Throughout Advent, we have made our preparations. We have honed our skills for waiting, noticing, andContinue reading “A different kind of waiting…”
“Embodied Christ”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2024) Our embodied existence includes times of great joy and times of suffering—both can even be wrapped into one experience. Sometimes my middle schooler will exclaim, “I am so sore!” after a particularly taxing game of soccer or a demanding physical education class. WhenContinue reading ““Embodied Christ””
Blessing for the Dawn
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”
“Blessing to Love”
from Comfort and Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2025) May we graspimpossiblythe breadth of God’s Love May we be transformedmiraculouslyin the height of God’s Love May we overflowabundantlyfilled with the depth of God’s Love We hope this brings you some comfort and joy! You can spread the joy by liking, commenting andContinue reading ““Blessing to Love””
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”
“Grace and Peace to You”
from Comfort & Joy: Readings and Practices for Advent (Herald Press, 2025) In Matthew 1, an angel appears to Joseph in a dream. Most likely Joseph did not have access to written scriptures. He wasn’t part of a culture where the wonders of dreaming were explained through psychology. God used an avenue to communicate thatContinue reading ““Grace and Peace to You””
Waiting with hope…
From the introduction of Unhappy Holidays: Blessings for a Blue Christmas (Herald Press, 2025). In an Advent sermon on hope, the preacher began with examples of things we wait for: a baby to be born, test results, voting outcomes, the storm to pass. I leaned forward in the pew, reaching for my bag. In theContinue reading “Waiting with hope…”
