Advent – An Invitation to a Joyful Life

JOY

A regular rhythm of practicing gratitude invites us to live a joyful life, regardless of circumstances. Joy Marker Eucharisteo, a Greek word that I have been sitting with a lot lately, a word that means thanksgiving but also includes the derivative Chara, the Greek word for joy. In this season where joy can feel challenging…

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Advent -An Invitation to be a Peacemaker.

These days the world feels far from peaceful and inner peace; that sense of calm in the face of stressors feels impossible to grasp. In Greek, the word for peace Eirenen means unity and accord, and in Hebrew, the word for peace is Shalom, which refers to the appearance of calm and tranquility. While we…

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Advent – An Invitation to Hope

2021 was a year many of us HOPED for life to return to the pre-pandemic normal. But, even as the world began to open up and return to some form of normalcy, we found the once “normal” no longer seemed to work. It appeared that #pandemiclife changed us, and in some cases, we even found…

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The Best Gatherings Happen Around a Table.

The word gathering is defined by Merriam-Webster as assembly, abscess, collecting of food or raw materials from the wild, collection, or compilation.  While technically correct, this definition does not express the depth of what gathering has the potential to achieve.  And while the word gathering does not require a collection of people or food, I’ve…

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Generosity a Function of the Heart.

Generosity

For years, I found myself frustrated, even sometimes angry, when unexpected expenses came in and messed with my neatly laid out plans. As a planner (and former banker), I wanted to pride myself on being financially responsible, but medical bills, rising costs of everyday necessities, and raising kids kept throwing the budget out of alignment….

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Focused on all that is Good, Beautiful, and True.

The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest Light to all the world. Ann Voskamp Are we brave enough to travel…

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