Time for Comfort: 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.”

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 Comfort: Making Space (Matthew 1:18-25)

“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid…” -Matthew 1:20 Decision fatigue. Analysis paralysis. Perfect is the enemy of good. We’ve all been there! If only God would send an angelic messenger my

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 Comfort: Hope is Alive (Luke 1:39-45)

“And blessed is she who believed that here would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” -Luke 1:45 While many of us are doing the things of this week with much haste, this familiar story of scripture offers new depths, promises and surprises when we make space to reflect.  Mary

From Surviving to Thriving: Radical Acceptance (Comfort: 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 This is not the life I thought I’d be living. Whether it’s the sleepless nights of new parenthood, the stressful realities of

From Surviving to Thriving: Telling the Truth (Comfort: Psalm 139: 15-16)

My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.In your book were writtenall the days that were formed for me,when none of them as yet existed.Psalm 139:15-16 A few years ago, when our family was going through a tough

From Surviving to Thriving: Being Myself (Comfort: Psalm 139:13-14)

“For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”  -Psalm 139:13-14 Recently, I had to take a trip for work. It involved masks, airports, ubering. Essentially a lot

From Surviving to Thriving: The (Myth of) Balance (Comfort: Psalm 139:9-10)

“If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,   even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast.”  -Psalm 139:9-10 When it comes to finding balance in life, there are a myriad of common, concrete images: spinning plates, juggling (glass)

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.