Time for Joy: Making Peace (Jeremiah 29:11)

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 Take some time today to listen to a song that brings peace to your soul.  Remember, accepting that the list is unending, can be a

Time for Joy: Responding with Compassion (Psalm 23)

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me.” -Psalm 23:4 So much pain in our lives comes from trying to control things that we have no control over. Ultimately we can only control our own behaviors. While we can’t choose what happens to us or even

Time for Joy: In the now (James 4:14)

“Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.”  James 4:14 This week make some time to focus on being present in the moment.  Try out one of these practices: Picture drawing a box in your mind.  As you draw the first side of the box, breathe in slowly.  Draw the second side and

Time for Joy: Soul Care (Luke 10:38-42)

“…you are worried and distracted by many things, but few things are needed…” -Luke 10:41-42 Any number of tasks and to-dos vie for our time and energy. Often the things that bring us joy, sustain our hope or even meet our own basic needs get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. Making space for

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 Joy: Priorities (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1 While the advent of modern conveniences was to make life easier for us, the lived reality has been that instead of increased free time, we now expect to be able to accomplish more things within the given hours of

Christmas Blessing (with Festive Beverage Recipes)

May you wake to the possibility of a miracle in your midst. May the twinkle of lights reflect the sparkle of joy in your world on this Christmas morning. May the unfolding of this day bring a sense of peace to your soul. May you unwrap the gift of hope anew.  (…and may there be

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 Joy: Gift of Tradition & Fruitcake Recipe (Luke 1:46-56)

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…” -Luke 1:46 Songs connect with a deeper part of ourselves. Familiar melodies and lyrics memorized long ago can stir a well of emotion in us with just a few notes. The familiar words of Mary’s song recorded in the gospel of Luke

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