Tag: Jesus Christ

Merry Christmas – The Messiah Has Come

“O Lord, you are the musician, and we are all your instruments. You breathe, and we come to life. You breathe, and we are horns for your glory. You blow through the world the winds of the spirit, and we like chimes cannot keep silent. You pluck the strings of our hearts, and we become … Continue reading Merry Christmas – The Messiah Has Come

How Do We Pray?

As we walked the trail, my friends talked about dealing with stress: exercise, meditation, therapy, hypnosis… I said, “Or you could pray.” They expected that from me, but I didn’t expect their response: “Well, you know how to do that. We don’t know how to pray. Maybe you need to pray for us every morning.” … Continue reading How Do We Pray?

Advent 4 – Knowing Peace

Around the time Teen hit middle school I began encouraging him each time he walked away: "Be your best you," meaning make good choices and do your best and stay true to yourself. You can be yourself, but it takes intentionality to be your best version of yourself. So maybe it shouldn't have surprised me … Continue reading Advent 4 – Knowing Peace

Advent 2 – Finding Peace

Ironically, during a week in which I've intentionally focused on expecting peace, I've found distress more often. The same hour I learned about the mass shooting in San Bernardino, I also heard that a neighbor, husband of an acquaintance, was in a suicidal stand-off with police. He alternately pointed a pistol at his temple and his mouth and, after hours of … Continue reading Advent 2 – Finding Peace

The Church: Traveling Together

What seems like a bazillion years ago, I participated in a high school marching band (sorry, no humiliating pictures available - I did look, I promise). Before freshman year, I registered to be the pianist/accompanist for Beginning Orchestra; unbeknownst to me, everyone quit and the band director transferred me to Marching Band. And the trombone, because the … Continue reading The Church: Traveling Together

When Tuesday Acts Like Monday

The day after Memorial Day Monday, of course, is Tuesday. But when Monday is a holiday and Tuesday begins the week, then Tuesday acts like Monday. Except that I work from home most Mondays, and Tuesday doesn't allow me that freedom. People grump about Mondays but they're one of my favorite days of the week; … Continue reading When Tuesday Acts Like Monday

Salvation: Search & Rescue

Mother's Day Sunday afternoon the neighbor's cat caught a small bird, a sparrow, perhaps? Neighbor was able to rescue the terrified bird from the over-excited cat's mouth - Have you ever seen a pet cat with a bird in its mouth? They're funny about it, growl-y and amped, racing about but not injurous - and brought … Continue reading Salvation: Search & Rescue

Jesus: The Way

As we planned and lived last year's Costa Rica summer, guides took on an importance like never before. Before we left we had maps and guidebooks and websites, all of which we continually referenced throughout the trip. But once on the ground, we also relied on new friends and strangers to point the way; just after we … Continue reading Jesus: The Way

God: Our Guide

The last couple of weeks have been over-full. Most nights I've tossed myself into bed too late and slept fitfully, waking groggy with odd remnants of uneasy dreams clinging to my tousled hair. It's just a season, and God has shown up in small and big ways: a verse of the day that spoke with … Continue reading God: Our Guide

Celebrating God’s Goodness

Jesus Christ is risen. He is risen indeed! Today we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ which conquered death and gives us new life. Easter lilies. Choral and brass anthems. Dress-up clothes. And yes, Easter baskets, hidden eggs, and even chocolate bunnies. Celebration is important, necessary for a full life, the highs balancing the lows. But … Continue reading Celebrating God’s Goodness