From Surviving to Thriving: Slowing Down (Comfort: Psalm 139: 7-8)

“Where can I go from your spirit?    Or where can I flee from your presence?If I ascend to heaven, you are there;    if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.”Psalm 139:7-8 When my youngest son started Kindergarten his wise teacher shared a beautiful and simple handout comparing children’s growth development to a carefully tended flower. 

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Life-giving and Anxiety Reducing Routines (Psalm 139: 5-6)

“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:5-6 I’ll admit I’m not the best at routines, but I have learned that some daily rituals can be life-giving.  For me, having a clear morning routine

From Surviving to Thriving: Adulting is Hard (Comfort: Psalm 139: 3-4)

You search out my path and my lying down,    and are acquainted with all my ways.Even before a word is on my tongue,     O Lord, you know it completely. Psalm 139:3-4 “Sometimes you just have to pull up your big girl pants and get on with it!”, my teaching colleague reminded me.  It is true that

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Knowing Yourself (Psalm 139: 1-2)

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away.” -Psalm 139:1-2 People sometimes say, “If I had known that I would have done things differently.”  The same thing can be said about ourselves.  “If I had known that about

From Surviving to Thriving Introduction

“I’ve heard that the key to aging well is to have a daughter living nearby.”, a colleague commented when he heard my parents were moving next door to me.  I think the words were shared with the sentiment of how good it will, hopefully, be for my parents to be living next door as they

Series Conclusion

God of the past, present and future,Today we lift our lived moments before YouYou are the Author and Perfecter of our daysWe know You are attentive to our thread of time. Grant us wisdom as we look back Gently learningAnd see your hand holding us fast Give us peace in the present momentThat we would not

Spiritual Practices: Hopeful Future (Joy- Luke 24:33)

“It is true! The Lord has risen.” -Luke 24:33 Living generously whether it is expressed with our time or our money is one way to acknowledge our trust in God’s future provision.  Consider making a gift of time or money to an organization or individual you care about.  It could be volunteering at your church,

Spiritual Practices: Grounded Present (Joy- Luke 24:30-31)

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24: 30-31 Did you ever notice that joy and gratitude operate together in an upward spiral?  In her book

Spiritual Practices: Grounded Present (Comfort- Luke 24:34-31)

“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight.” Luke 24: 30-31 It is so easy to imagine oneself along the road to Emmaus.  I would have been there.

Easter Reflection: Garden of Resurrection (Mark 16:2, 6)

“And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. . .But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid