Love goes into the battle and wins. Eventually. Always. Guaranteed. Keep Going.

The world is beginning to sparkle and shine with the glitter of the season. It is a stark contrast to the ever-shortening days that steal the light from us. Ever since that dreaded turn-of-the-clocks, we wake in darkness and come home in darkness.

He doesn’t want to die. Though a man of faith, baptized in infancy, church-goer throughout his life, eternal life is not something to be rushed, in his opinion. Even in his advanced age, he is holding on to every. single. day.

As the gifts sit beneath the tree, we think of the anticipated joy we hope they will bring on Christmas morning. If it is your practice to celebrate such a tradition, many of us will have chosen gifts with love and care for those dearest to us, hoping to make them feel special. But as the gifts sit under the tree waiting to be received, we can only manage our expectations.

To be welcomed as a guest so unconditionally, so lovingly was a gift. I wonder if there is not so much more room in the world to practice hospitality such as this. In our homes, our communities, our worship spaces. 

The push to move forward seems to be ongoing. Ceaselessly, we are urged to achieve goals and set new ones. Being busy is celebrated. Day planners keep us on task by the hour to be sure we are productive. 

Receive this invitation today: invite someone over for coffee and visit. Don’t make sweetbread to go with the coffee. Don’t vacuum first. Don’t put a tablecloth on. The gift you offer is the gift of yourself, which is your greatest asset. You are a beautiful offering and those around you are longing to sit with you. Make the invitation.

Lazy days of summer? Maybe not. We often think of summer as a time to rest, relax, and vacation. These are not bad ways to spend the gifted days of a blessed season.

When have you dared to stand tall and be resilient in difficult circumstances? How has this contributed to your self-esteem and self-empowerment? Much like those amazing wildflowers in the rough terrain on top of the mountain, you have all that you need inside of you to shine brightly, serve beautifully, and contribute to those around you. 

“Mattering” is essential to being a whole, joyful person who can contribute for the sake of the world. Find your people so that you matter. Always.

Think about the different roles you play in your own life and the lenses you wear for each. As partner, community member, parent, co-worker, volunteer, advocate, and caregiver. The lenses through which you view the wider world shift with your roles. May they each be carefully crafted with skill and passion to meet the needs of those around you.

While the challenges of life indeed leave their lasting impression on us, far greater are the grace and mercy and goodness of the One who loves us. May that  have an everlasting effect on you!

Most of us thrive on a little “Way to go!” every now and then.

I used to think there was only one source of blessings. God. And while I still believe God doles out God’s fair share (and then some), a...

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Springtime is always a miracle. It's time for us, like the flowers budding in spring, to make something out of nothing!

It’s never easy to be rejected, to have someone turn away from us, to have our project denied or to endure a break-up.

Whether or not you ascribe to this belief, as we grow and evolve, we must surrender old ways of being and believing to grow and thrive.

When the noise is winning, sometimes we need to step away from the unnecessary to receive the goodness our bodies need and deserve.

We have the potential to be extremely influential and to make a tremendous impact. Let us use our gifts and resources to change someone or s