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: 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: Battling Anxiety (Comfort: 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 Crawling into bed at night is probably my favorite time of day, but in the summer or on the weekends (whenever I don’t have

From Surviving to Thriving: Know Thyself (Comfort: 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 When my mother-in-law received a terminal diagnosis, my enneagram one self began to make lists. I efficiently packed our family for weekend visits. I carefully scheduled

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

“It is true! The Lord has risen.” -Luke 24:33 One of the gifts of faith, is being grounded in the hope of a good future. Even when our circumstances are challenging, the stories of scripture remind us of God’s faithful presence and the promise that this is not the end of our story. When people

Spiritual Practices: Processed Past (Comfort- Luke 24:32)

“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” -Luke 24:32 “What was your biggest ministry mistake?” he asked. Famous for put-you-on-the-spot questions, my colleague seemed to relish the look of horror that crossed my face as all the

Comfort: Reflection on God’s Protection (Exodus 33)

“And the LORD continued, “See, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock; and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by; then I will take away my hand, and

New Year Reflection: Finding Another Way (Matthew 2)

“And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herold, they left for their own country by another road.” —Matthew 2:12 For many the gatherings and events are past. The familiar strands of Christmas tunes now grate; the tree is stripped and boxed up for another season.  And so it seems a bit

Advent Reflection: Comfort in the Messy Middle (Isaiah 40)

“Comfort, O comfort my people says your God.” —Isaiah 40:1 I’m drawn to the beautiful opening lines of this passage, but as you read on it begins to feel more like a rollercoaster ride than a warm hug. But perhaps this is just what we need to hear in our December days when we move