In Mary’s Magnificat, we are drawn into a vision of profound peace, one that upends the world’s power structures and comforts the lowly. Her song proclaims the faithfulness of a God who lifts the humble, fills the hungry, and remembers the forgotten. This prophetic peace is not passive but transformative, offering hope to those who long for justice and a kingdom where mercy reigns. Advent: Remembering Christ’s Coming As I pointed out in my last blog post, Advent calls us... Read more
As we enter the season of Advent, we embark on a journey of anticipation and preparation. Advent, derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” is a time set aside to reflect on the Incarnation of Jesus. It grounds us in the awe and wonder of Christ’s coming, keeping us focused on the truths we hold dear. Without intentional practices, it’s easy to forget the deeper meanings behind the season. Advent is a reminder. The Greek word for Advent, parousia,... Read more
As we reflect on the Thanksgiving season, we find ourselves thankful for many things – our families, homes, and vocations, to just name a few. Recently, I blogged about the role of gratitude in our work, worship, and the spaces where we live and play. Gratitude in every area and arena of life is important. This is also an appropriate time to express gratitude for the church. I am thankful for the church in all its diverse shapes, sizes, forms,... Read more
Irish playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw once said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” This thought-provoking quote reminds us of the power of play—something we often neglect as adults. I know from my own experiences, that most of us don’t prioritize play in our lives, viewing it as the work and learning pattern of children. However, I believe that play is not just essential for children, but for all of... Read more
Mary Davis once said, “The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” I believe the more I have gratitude for where we live, the more beauty I will see in the place I live and the life I live within it. In a culture that feeds on discontent, I want to resist by cultivating intentional practices of gratitude. I want to see more of the beauty in my life, and the place I live, more than just the... Read more
Last week, I blogged and examined the role of gratitude in the workplace through the lens of Daniel 6. Today, I turn to the role of gratitude in worship and we wrestle with how gratitude should be driving our acts of praise and worship. Psalm 100 will guide us as we explore three key practices for cultivating gratitude in worship and as worship. The intentional practice of thanksgiving in worship also becomes the foundation for our worship, helping us stay... Read more
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of gratitude, especially when it comes to our work lives. Work can be an opportunity of tremendous purpose and growth for us individually. However, it can also be filled with frustration, stress, sabotage, and a lack of appreciation. When we don’t feel valued, our natural response can be to throw in the towel, look elsewhere, or give into insecurity as we feel that our worth is slipping away.... Read more
In a world filled with noise, constant distraction, upward mobility, bad stewardship, and the relentless pursuit of more, it can be hard to hear the still, small whispers calling us to live with intention and simplicity. Recently, I read Tri Robinson’s A Journey of Gratitude which offers a refreshing antidote to this chaotic lifestyle. Robinson and A Journey of Gratitude are one of those small whispers calling us to live with intention and simplicity. In this memoir, Tri Robinson walks... Read more
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy for prayer to become a routine, losing its profound power in what we may call its familiarity. I believe there is a transformative practice of maintaining a daily prayer rhythm. In this blog post, we will explore the uniqueness of prayer as we understand it and a suggested daily prayer rhythm that I am practicing with. Both Judaism and Christianity teach that personal prayer is a sacred gift, one that demands our intentionality and... Read more
If you’ve been part of a church community in recent years, you might be familiar with October as Pastor Appreciation Month. Throughout October, we celebrate National Clergy Appreciation Day, with the second Sunday designated Clergy Appreciation Day. While not all churches observe this occasion, many take the opportunity to encourage and bless their pastors or pastoral leaders with thoughtful gestures, such as cards, gift cards, or even a little time away to recharge. In this blog post, I want to... Read more
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