Joy for your Body: Acceptance (Matthew 6:25)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”  -Matthew 6:25 Throughout our lives, our bodies change; that’s the design! While some changes are hard

Joy for your Body: Compassionate Touch (John 1:14)

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14 One way I have been reclaiming and healing my body is through compassionate touch. Throughout my life  most of my actions and responses to my

Joy for your Body: Speak with Kindness (2 Corinthians 4:7-8)

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.  We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair . . .” 2 Corinthians 4:7-8 It is easy to focus on the flaws and deficiencies we observe.

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

Epiphany Joy: Trusting in the Lord

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not

Epiphany Joy: Shake it off

“When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove (Jesus) out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went

Advent Practice of Joy: Rituals +Traditions (Luke 2)

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.” –Luke 2:40 Christmas is a time when we can easily grow nostalgic. Gathering with family (or not!), enacting long held tradition or starting new ones can all stir up memories. Rituals are a way we join the past