Here in Minneapolis there’s still a lot of snow on the ground, though the snowbanks have diminished during some recent unseasonably warm days. (For us in Minnesota “unseasonably warm” in early March means highs in the upper 30’s, maybe even low 40’s.) Also, the days are getting noticeably longer, and Lent has begun, both signs […]
Hope
Hope in the New Year
The first Advent candle is the candle of hope. The stories of Mary and Elizabeth are about waiting and hoping in God’s promises. These are followed by stories about the hope of the magi who traveled a long journey and the shepherds who left their flocks to come to Bethlehem and see what God had […]
Good News for
Reluctant Hearts
written by Rachael Keefe – reposted from her blog, Write Out of Left Field I gave up trying to be happy and joyful just because it’s the holiday season a long time ago. Growing up, I thought I was the only one who didn’t have the perfect Norman Rockwell (or, these days, Hallmark) family. Nearly […]
A Season of Lament
Reprinted here from Rachael’s Blog, “Write out of Left Field.” There is so little room for grief in western society, yet it is not something anyone can avoid. Today grief sits heavily on my heart. I’m returning home from a trip to my childhood home for the Celebration of Life for the woman who was […]
Depression’s Weight and The Witness of Church
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Our life journeys can feel like lead sometimes. The heaviness is palpable. Perilous in the […]