Joy for your Body: Movement

“ Meanwhile, Jesus would slip away to deserted places and pray.” -Luke 5:16 It’s not always what you do but how you do it.  As someone who struggles with how to actually implement self-care this idea has helped me understand in a new way.  For me, exercise has been a concrete example to practice self-care. 

Joy for your body: Embodied Humans (Genesis 2:7)

“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.”  Genesis 2:7 Taking care of our bodies is the most basic way to love ourselves.  So often in the western church bodies have been looked down on. 

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: 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

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. 

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Being Myself (Psalm 139:

“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 How do we practice being ourselves?  How do we celebrate being unique while still participating in community life?  We are

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Balance (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 Each of us is a unique coming together of God’s handiwork.  We are a mixture of personality, intellect and the environment around

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: 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

Maundy Thursday: Loving One Another (Seder Meal +Footwashing)

Today the church honors Maundy Thursday.  The word maundy is from the Latin word for command. And this is a time when we focus on Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you,” by sharing a meal together and washing each others’ feet as modeled by Jesus in John 13.  Many churches