Advent meditation: Hope
A self-sowing seed begins in the light. It holds on for as long as it can, but then weather changes, time passes, and nutrients fade. …
darkness
“When I entered the cave hoping for a glimpse of celestial brightness, it never occurred to me that it might be so small. But here …
preparing for the longest night
As we prepare for the longest night of the year, I’ve been reflecting Darkness and the journeys we take with her. Whether it’s related to …
welcoming Darkness to the table
This Advent season, I have been sitting with longtime companions, Darkness and Light. As I grow in age, and perhaps wisdom, I’ve begun to appreciate …
the longest night
Last night was our Longest Night service at Skyland UMC. I began the service in 2013 after attending one at another church during a very …
dirty knees? yes, please
w The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. ~George Bernard Shaw, The Adventures of the Black …
lessons learned: dark and deadly trails
In searching for words of wisdom this morning, I inadvertently came across this older post. I’m glad it did. ~cameron Last night on our evening …
hallelujah anyway
God always makes a way out of no way, but sometimes, it just seems too long.” ~Anne Lamott A couple of nights a …
the tree
Even the tallest, strongest tree needs both light and the dark to flourish. We experience sunlight streaming down among branches and leaves, and we shout, …
welcoming Darkness to the table
Last weekend, I had the honor of co-facilitating a group of discerning deaconesses at a United Methodist Women’s gathering at Lake Junaluska, NC. As a …
brokenness
Recently, I have been sitting with Brokenness. For a long time, however, I was afraid to acknowledge her presence because her cracks might allow someone …
quotes: meditating on hope
In the Christian faith tradition, we have begun to celebrate Advent. The word “advent” means “the arrival” or “coming into view,” and for us, it …
lessons learned: tickling the roots
Ok, Holy Spirit, once again you amaze me. I’m not sure if I’ve shared on this blog that I’ve resumed my yoga practice. This time, …
ebb and flow, darkness and light
Recently, I’ve pushed my morning yoga routine back a bit so I can spend more time in prayer and breathing before starting my day. While …
Lenten meditation: walking with flashlights
I wrote this blogpost last winter, but it seemed appropriate for Good Friday–acknowledging the darkness and finding the light. Recently, we adopted two rescue dogs, …
Lenten meditation: when light falls on the creeping
With an unexpected warm day yesterday, I spent some time puttering around my front flower beds after dinner. In the garden directly in front of …
honoring the man who dared to stand
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s King’s celebrated day today, I have selected some of my favorite quotes by him. I consider him …
lessons learned: on patient paper whites and epiphany
Last year when I started my seeds in January, I stumbled across a couple of bulbs that hadn’t made it into the ground. I filled …
lessons learned: roots and shoots
After we finally had a break from the hard, cold rain we’ve had recently, I went out to inspect the winter vegetables. This time of …
what the Muppets can teach us about Advent
One of my favorite holiday traditions is the annual viewing of The Muppet Christmas Carol. I have loved the Muppets since childhood, and as an …
lessons learned: what forgotten plants can teach us about hope
As I continue to sit with “Hope” this week, I thought I would repost this one. “Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches …
let my spirit glow
O Lord, Let my spirit glow so brightly that darkness will disappear. ~Islamic children’s prayer, Pakistan
lessons learned: walking with flashlights
Recently, we adopted two rescue dogs, and we couldn’t be more happy! LuLu has returned to us from her time in the New Leash on …
lessons learned: the crocus in winter
…. there may not be enough marigolds all summer to equal the first spring crocus ~ Nancy R. Hugo Last week, I traveled to Wisconsin …
the words of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther’s King’s celebrated day tomorrow, I have selected some of my favorite quotes by him. I consider him …
the gate of the year
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the …
quotes: meditating on joy
Peace is joy at rest, and joy is peace on its feet. ~Anne Lamott When you do things from your soul, you feel a river …
when light falls on the creeping jenny: an advent meditation
I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love …
shining the lamps of love in this world
Lamps of Love O Lord, take my ears and hear through them, take my hands and use them, take my lips and speak through them, …
the gentle whispers of hope
Listen now to the gentle whispers of hope. ~Charles D. Brodhead Up behind our little farm, woods serve as a buffer from the neighborhood behind …
lessons learned: what ladybugs can teach us about hope
As I sat down to write this morning, I realized that “hope” has become a consistent theme through my blog. I’ve reflected on …
nature’s images of hope
Hope doesn’t have to come in the form of a miracle to fill us with wonder and faith. ~cameron
quotes: meditating on hope
In the Christian faith tradition, we have begun to celebrate Advent. The word “advent” means “the arrival” or “coming into view,” and for us, it …
the pathway of peace
From this fog-bound Earth of ours We take refuge in you, O rest of our souls, Escaping like birds from a broken cage To the …
let my spirit glow
O Lord Let my spirit glow so brightly, that darkness will disappear. — Islamic child’s prayer, Pakistan