Twelve days ago my husband had a medical emergency, and while he does feel better now, he is still in the hospital hooked up to various medical things, waiting for more tests and next steps. Any medical emergency is hard, and even harder in a pandemic. In our case, COVID-19 protocols kept us from seeing … Continue reading Make Haste to Help Us, O God
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
I did a double-take when I first read the title, The Radical Pursuit of Rest---isn't "pursuit" the opposite of "rest"? Author John Koessler definitely sparked my interest, and his subtitle added to the intrigue: Escaping the Productivity Trap. In his introduction, Koessler says that while his book contains practical suggestions on how we might pursue … Continue reading Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Radical Pursuit of Rest
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
Plan a play date, go for a walk through your favourite park, and take time to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God. - Christine Aroney-Sine, A Daily Dose of Awe This week I received a delightful surprise in my mail box: The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God by Christine Aroney-Sine (InterVarsity … Continue reading Enter to Win a Free Copy of The Gift of Wonder
While I love being busy and actively engaged with other people, I also love my moments of solitude and silence. So today I'm sharing a letter written by Jenny McGill about how all of us might steal away from whatever daily dramas we face and be refreshed. I had to smile at one of her … Continue reading Walk With Me: Learning to Love and Follow Jesus
What does it mean to pray for our enemies? For the terrorist taking many lives in response to other grave wrongs, for the known or unknown assailant afflicting apparently senseless violence, for the thief who breaks into your house in the middle of the day and steals your things and sense of safety, for the … Continue reading How to Pray for Your Enemies Even When You Don’t Want To
We admire those willing to die for what they believe, and we pay attention to the last words of those we admire. The book, Martyrs Mirror, consists primarily of final messages from Christians in jail, joyfully waiting to die for their faith. - Introduction to Martyrs Mirror I've generally thought of martyrdom as "the ultimate act of … Continue reading Is a Hidden Faith Just as Genuine as the Faith of a Martyr?
April Yamasaki 