Athletes know that rest is necessary to become better at something–we need to let our bodies catch up with the stress we’ve put them under. Is it the same with the soul? We think so. Take a rest day from spiritual exercise. Pray, read as you wish, but try to simply rest in God’s grace–it is there the work of transformation will happen. Read more
Find an in-between space–a porch or lawn, a place between your private domain and the public one. Spend ten minutes praying that God will show you how to use this space as a means of hospitality–of inviting the outside to begin the interruption of your private life. Read more
Read John 10:11-18 What does this passage say to our economic life–how we live out our work, our land use, our resources? It All Turns on Affection by Wendell Berry Read more
In the evening spend some time reflecting over the day. Tell the story of your day to yourself. Then imagine the way that God would tell it. Read more
Martin Luther recommended “sinning boldly”. This was not meant to be a license for doing whatever one wanted and relying on the grace of God, but rather an indication of how dangerous secret sins can be. Make your sins manifest by sharing them with someone else; dilute their power by bringing them into the discernment of a community. Call it confession, if you like. “Confession without Shame” Jonathan Wilson-Hartgove Read more
God breathed the breath of life into Adam, the Psalms tell us that all animals live by the breath of God, and Jesus breaths on his disciples to give them the Holy Breath. Breath is holy. Sit for five minutes and breathe consciously. As you go throughout the day pay attention to the breaths of others and your own. Read more
Find something free and take it–a berry from a mulberry tree, a dandelion leaf for your salad, a fish from a local stream. The world is full of free things, but we insist on paying. Today, let God get the bill. Read more
Today is the feast of St. Anselm of Canterbury. Spend time meditating on his most famous quote: “I do not seek to understand that I may believe, but I believe that I may understand. For this, too, I believe, that, unless I first believe, I shall not understand.” Read more
Eat something you would normally allow only in moderation–sweets, candy, donuts. Remember that today is not a fast day during the season of Easter. This is a time to celebrate the resurrection. We should fast when fasts are called for, but equally we should feast when the time comes. Read more
Spend time reading and reflecting on Luke 24:36-48. How is the body represented in the passage? How can we touch and see? Read more
Word + Flesh
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