Time for Joy: Facing our Limits (Genesis 1:14-15)

“And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.’ And it was so.” -Genesis

Time for Comfort: There is never enough (Ecclesiastes 1:9)

“What has been will be again,what has been done will be done again;    there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 Let’s face it, our culture is infatuated with busy-ness.  It is easy to be sucked in.  We stack our days full of activities.  For many of us the worth we assign ourselves is directly

Advent Joy: Holiday Communing and Christmas Stollen Recipe

Holiday Communing  Wishlists exchangedLitanies of MermaidsDumptrucksDinosaursGift cards purchased Recipes bookmarkedCookies bakedWorry and anticipation mingle Guest rooms dusted and polishedMeals plannedPhone calls and textsElectronic prayers Wing across the milesWhat will you bring?When will you arrive? Mantel decoratedSpecial napkins washedPresents wrapped and waiting “What’s your ETA?” They arrive from distant planetsBrooklyn and IllinoisWith bags and good cheerHugs surround us

Advent Comfort: Christmas Prayer (Luke 1:46-56)

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” -Luke 1:46 Holy God,Along with MaryWe are people of our time and placeWe wonder at the miracle of Your SonOur hearts sing praiseWhile our minds struggle to accept the mysteryWith our arms reachingWe welcome the unexpected gifts of this season. Thank youAgain

Advent Joy: Pecan Tart Recipe

“And blessed is she who believed that here would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” -Luke 1:45 When I use the Favorite Community Recipes: White Horse Fire Company Auxiliary Cookbook, I remember the already and not yet of Advent.  The melancholy beauty we treasure in others when they are

And the winner is . . .

And the winners are . . .  Lois B. Miller and Jennifer Freed!!! We’ll be connecting with both of you about your tea preferences soon. Thanks to each of you for participating in our give-away and sharing Some Comfort and Joy with your communities. And thank you everyone for reading along. We look forward to

Advent 2022 Series Introduction with Sugar Cookie Recipe (Luke 1:37-38)

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”  Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:37-38 These verses capture the essence of the Christmas season.  A holiday that seems, in some ways, to suspend time for

Advent Giveaway

Every so often Sherah-Leigh and I have the fun of saying, “Thank-you!” to all of you our readers by having a give-away.  We know you each lead diverse lives.  We are thankful we have you reading along with us on this life (and writing) journey. For Advent this year we will be giving away two

From Surviving to Thriving: God’s Handiwork (Comfort: Psalm 139: 23-24)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me and know my thoughts.See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139: 23-24 When we are in the midst of caring for others it is hard to see each person clearly.  As an educator, even after

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Radical Acceptance (Psalm 139: 19-21)

“O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me —those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil!“Psalm 139:19-21 Practice radical acceptance this week with a meditation prayer.  While sitting with your palms facing upwards, breathe in slowly and then exhale completely.