When I'm tired of words, I find refuge in silence. In fact, as much as I love words, praying in silence has become one of my favourite ways of praying. Sometimes it's a sacred pause to pray before a meal. Sometimes silently praying along in our corporate prayers as a church. Sometimes simply sitting quietly … Continue reading Sitting With God: Show Up, Let Go, Open Your Heart
Last January I chose "blossom" as my word of the year---or perhaps the word chose me, for as I pondered and prayed over the coming year, "blossom" kept coming back to me. What will open up for me in 2019? I wondered. Where will God channel my energy and vision? How will this year grow … Continue reading God Still Speaks: Inspiration from Purpose Magazine
I had been invited to lead a session on self-care for a group of ministry leaders, but my host repeatedly referred to it as a session on "soul-care." After all, the "soul" and "self" can both refer to our inner being, and in the Bible the same word may be translated as soul or inner … Continue reading 25 Self-care Ideas for the Soul: for students, ministry leaders, and everyone
When I heard that Upper Room Books planned to publish a spiritual formation resource that combined lectio divina, prayer, yoga, aromatherapy, and journaling, I felt both curious and puzzled. Curious, because I've written for the Upper Room daily devotional guide; because the Upper Room publishes A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants which is a classic … Continue reading Curious, Puzzled, and Holy Listening for God
Do you have a dream to start something new? It might be a big idea like a new ministry or a new non-profit, or something more personal like going back to school or changing your field of work. As I begin a new writing project, I always think of it as Starting Something New. That's … Continue reading How to Grow Your God-Given Dream: Listening for God
On this Thanksgiving long weekend, I'm thankful for all of you wonderful readers. I'm always excited to hear from you and learn so much when any of you comment on a blog post, use my contact form, or speak to me in person. I first met reader Fjaere Harder Nussbaum when I led a retreat … Continue reading A Waitress, a Bent Table Fork, and a Sacred Pause
The headline just below the fold in last Tuesday's National Post intrigued me: New mantra for working fathers: Lean out. Financial titan quit after critique by daughter. The article told the story of Mr. Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Executive Officer of the world's largest bond firm and the father of a ten-year-old daughter. One evening, he … Continue reading Renewal: Sacred Pauses for Leaders
Last week I took part in my first-ever Google Hangout -- #MennoNerds on Race, Mutuality, and Anabaptist Community. In this post I share the video of our conversation, offer some further reflections, and outline some practices toward racial reconciliation.
April Yamasaki 