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?
Tag: peace
Create
I wrote here about my intentions for, and here about my results with, "my word" for 2015: Put yourself in the way of beauty. As 2015 came to a close, I reflected on the fact that my word had truly stuck with me and changed the way I lived. And so I asked myself, what's … Continue reading Create
Merry Merry
In my work as Church Communication Director, I have the privilege and honor of working with a talented graphic designer, an artist in her own right and also thankfully, my friend, Nancy Ingersoll. She gave me permission to share her beautiful Silent Night which she created for an Advent art display of peace-ful imagery. Please … Continue reading Merry Merry
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 3 – Making Peace
Our friendship burned hot and fizzled furiously like a sparkler on Fourth of July. I can't explain it, but the first time we laid eyes on each other we decided to become fast friends. Within a week I had invited her in to all of my intimate circles. We had coffee so often Guy asked if … Continue reading Advent 3 – Making 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
Meatless Monday – Getting Saucy
The best part of a veggie Thanksgiving meal? Not spending All Day Long cooking a turkey! We keep the menu fairly simple and mostly traditional - mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, veggies, biscuits - and add some baked salmon with oranges, cranberries and rosemary for the fish-eaters and a small turkey breast for the carnivores. We divvy … Continue reading Meatless Monday – Getting Saucy
Advent 1 – Expecting Peace
Stating the obvious: we do not live in a peaceful world. War and rumors of war. School shootings. Crime in all its variety. Job stress. Illness. Divorce. Even in my everyday mundane suburban life, peace seems elusive. So today's title made me wonder: do I expect peace? Maybe my faith is too small. Maybe my … Continue reading Advent 1 – Expecting Peace
Thankful Thursday – Life is More than Worry
As Church Communication Director, this week before Thanksgiving is always one of the busiest work weeks of the year as we rush to get Christmas PR printed, in the mail, up around town, in the newspaper, you name it. The creative work, writing and designing, is mostly done, so this week is all about details - proofing and making … Continue reading Thankful Thursday – Life is More than Worry
Reading Crisis and Pursuit of Virtue
One of my healthier antidotes to life's Too Much-ness is burrowing inside the covers of a good book. Preferably while also tucked tight into my bed covers at day's end, hot cup of tea at hand, until I can't keep my eyes open. Just one more page, just one more, just one, just... In addition … Continue reading Reading Crisis and Pursuit of Virtue