Devotions from Macrina Wiederkehr’s book, Gold in Your Memories As we open the book of our lives we will discover layers and layers of stories, and we need to listen to them with a depth. Even the painful memories can become gold. Some pleasant memories may come to us as a surprise and bring us…

Devotions based on the book, Gold in Your Memories by Macrina Wiederkehr Each season of life contains unique memories. Sometimes painful memories can take center stage and force the golden ones to retreat.  If our heart was torn open by memories of things that should never have been, there will come a time when we…

Devotions based on Macrina Wiederkehr’s book, Gold in Your Memories All of us need to discover the gold in our lives by mining the memories that have been lost and forgotten. These memories need to be received, accepted and integrated into our lives so healing can take place. They come all mixed up and not…

A friend wrote a book of her life and in it she quoted Joyce Rupp. I would like to share what she wrote on Gratitude.                             Gratitude         “To be grateful for what is,     instead of underscoring what is not. To find good amid the unwanted aspects of life,  without denying the presence of…

Devotions based on James Smith book, The Good and Beautiful Community From James’ book, we are made aware of how much we need community on our spiritual journeys. It is within community that we can share the excitement  of discovering God’s kingdom at work in our lives.  It is within community that we can celebrate…

  Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The author gives some practical ways of making our worship experience more meaningful. So often we may be running late or get distracted or frustrated with our worship experience. But it is good to remember that it isn’t all about meeting my needs…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good a Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community There is great freedom when it comes to forms of worship and I will just mention a few basic elements that have been found useful in the development of our relationship with God and others.…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, the Good and Beautiful Community Worship is more than a private matter meant just to inspire the individual and to create an emotional sensation. It is bigger than the person, and while inspiration is a by- product of worship it is not the central aim. Worship is a communal activity…

Devotions based on James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The good and beautiful community is not based on the prosperity gospel or the poverty gospel, but the gospel of abundance. We have what we need when we need it and it is enough. We look at our assets in a new light and…

Devotions from James Smith’s book, The Good and Beautiful Community The good and beautiful community is prevented from generosity by the false narrative that: what I have is mine to use for my own pleasure. Mine. Mine. Mine! This makes us feel entitled and teaches us that what we possess, money, time or abilities, are…