Embodied Existence

Last week, I took a few days away from my normal life and found myself eating my way through one of my favorite cities. While it was fun to have some space from the rhythms of parenting, cooking and housekeeping, the primary reason I was in Harrisonburg was to spend some in-person time with Gwen

Time for Comfort: Tomorrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow (James 4:14)

“Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.” -James 4:14 “Anticipation is half the realization,” my grandma once told me when I inquired why she was so opposed to surprises. My maternal grandmother was a wonderful and warm woman. A hard worker and prayer warrior, I don’t think she knew a stranger! While

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: Series Introduction

“Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened…But we had hoped that he was the one…” -Luke 24: 13-14, 21 I don’t know that I have ever had a favorite scripture.

Comfort: How Can This Be? (Reflection on Luke 1)

“Mary said to the angel, “How can this be?” -Luke 1:34  After the shepherds arrive and share with the new parents the angelic message they received, Mary ponders. It’s striking to me that her response is not rejoicing but reflection. She is beginning to understand the complexity of how can this be.  When Joseph and

Lenten Practice of Joy: Signs of Hope (Romans 4:18)

“Hoping against hope…” –Romans 4:18 After ten minutes of trial and error we were finally connected via zoom. While not preferable, it was the safest option for meeting. A stretch of cold, more than normal wintery precipitation, and the ongoing isolation and limits, we were all of a bit stir crazy.  “On my way back

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