the things we carry: songs and sacred spaces
Message for Mary Sunday, contemplative service, December 2, 2018 This week, I have spent some time gazing at various artistic renderings of Mary and Elizabeth …
faith
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 …
the psalm of waiting
Waiting is hard for most of us. Not necessarily because we have to be where we are but because want to get to where we …
Living “In Community” ~ A Sermon
I gave this message at our contemplative Sanctuary service last Sunday, September 6. It is the 2nd in the 3-part series about the Social Principles …
Lenten reflection: the Potter
This morning as I read of the postponement of Kelly Gissendaner‘s execution, I wondered what it must be like for her as she waits in …
John Birch’s prayer for winter
There is a winter in all of our lives, a chill and darkness that makes us yearn for days that have gone or put our …
one more sleep til Christmas
One More Sleep Til Christmas (words by Paul Williams, from The Muppet Christmas Carol) There magic in the air this evening Magic in the air …
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, …
lessons learned: caring for the root bound
“You are root bound,” she said. “Your prayer needs to be, ‘God, give me a bigger pot.’” That’s what my counselor said to me Tuesday, …
Wendell Berry’s What We Need Is Here
Geese appear high over us, pass, and the sky closes. Abandon, as in love or sleep, holds them to their way, clear in the ancient …
lessons learned: dandelions and faith
This morning I came across this blessing in Jan Richardson’s book In the Sanctuary of Women. “Rootedness” seems to be a theme in my life …
lessons learned: on growth, gardening boots, and grace
As I squatted by the trellis yesterday to plant more sugar snap peas, I looked down at the boots I was wearing. I’ve had them …
lessons shared with my daughter
Today, my sweet baby girl sheds another year and gracefully takes the next few steps on her life’s journey. There are days when I’m sure …
lessons learned: faith and fancy with a little mischief for good measure
At this time of year, I fondly remember my dear friend, Cheryl. You see, a few years ago before she passed away from her third …
give up and give on–lessons learned from Lent
This morning, a friend of mine posted a link on her facebook wall to a “Reverse Lent Challenge.” The subhead noted, “Don’t give something up. …
Jan Richardson’s Ash Wednesday blessing
Blessing the Dust A Blessing for Ash Wednesday All those days you felt like dust, like dirt, as if all you had to do was …
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 …
peace within
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the …
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 …
lessons learned: on mint and gumption
Reposting this one as two opportunities for reflection this week reminded me why I cherish the word “gumption.” This morning on my brief stroll …
lessons learned: dandelions and being rooted in faith
After spending Sunday afternoon engaged in quiet creation care, I thought I’d revisit this post this morning. Knowing yourself is to be rooted in Being, …
happy journey day
Today brings with it several anniversaries for me. By the time, I received my cancer diagnosis on this date 3 years ago, I began to …
peace within
May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the …
lessons learned: letting nature take its course
In the summer, I like to hang potted plants from my house. My kitchen faces the backside of our home so I typically have a …
a testament to living
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life …
one more sleep til Christmas
One More Sleep Til Christmas (words by Paul Williams, from The Muppet Christmas Carol) There magic in the air this evening Magic in the air …
a simple prayer
In 2006, I began a new path in my faith journey in a time that seemed riddled with challenges and questions. All at once, it …
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: handprint turkeys, simplicity and gratitude
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy …
lessons learned: storms, trees, and being rooted in faith
I am sitting here at my kitchen table this morning peer out into the darkness. The storm is coming, and the early morning sky remains …
lessons learned: mint and gumption
This morning on my brief stroll to pick kale for the girls, I glanced around the veggie beds. How empty everything seems, even with greens …
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 …
lessons learned: what canning has taught me about prayer
Prayer is not a product; it is a relationship. ~ Daniel Wolpert, Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices Spending time …
the “isness” of others
O Creator Lord, let me feel the “isness” of of things and people, without resistance, without trying to impose my own pattern upon them or …
lessons learned: anything can be
Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves then listen close …
Anne Lamott’s praise-and-amazement prayer
A few years ago, I added the praise-and-amazement prayer, Wow. It’s the prayer of remembering to step outside when we are in monkey mind, or …
grace
I do not understand the mystery of grace — only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found …
from the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
from the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where …