'welcoming' Tagged Posts
2020_Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis
Spiritual Practices for Times of Crisis Grief, pain, isolation, fear, worry, and loss can upend our normal spiritual rhythms of life and our faith life as a whole. As Christians, what do we do? Do we grit our teeth, fake it ‘til we make it, and carry on regardless? Aren’t we supposed to be “thankful in all circumstances” and happy all the time? Should we just turn away from God until we feel better? These are all valid questions and…
The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 2
Fasting is just about giving up chocolate or alcohol for Lent, isn’t it?” Actually, there are other ways of fasting, and, in the Christian tradition, other times of the Church year apart from Lent, when we are encouraged to fast. We discussed in “Fasting – Part 1,” that fasting from meals can help us make room for God, help us focus on our spiritual needs rather than our physical needs, and help us prepare for Church seasons such as Easter…
The Spiritual Practice of Fasting-Part 1
What do Mardi Gras, Friday Fish Fry, and locusts and wild honey have in common? That’s right – fasting. Mardi Gras (literally Fat Tuesday) is now a carnival celebration, which culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. In Great Britain, Mardi Gras is referred to as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. The idea of Fat Tuesday originated in medieval times when monks would use up their rich food and fats, often in the form of pancakes, the night before Ash…
The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Have you ever been offered a place to stay at a time of need in your life? Has a kind word or thoughtful presence helped you…
Daily Devotions: August 29, 2019
August 29, 2019 For full passage click: Hebrews 13:1-7 … “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” vss. 1-2 It’s a given that followers of Jesus are called to love one another. According to John, it was his final commandment. Early believers learned that this mutual love was one of the most impressive attributes of their faith communities, and it’s been that way ever…
Daily Devotions: January 4, 2019
January 4, 2019 To read full passage click: Ephesians 3:1-6 …“that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” vs. 6 Paul’s gospel insight changed everything in those exciting Spirit-directed and chaotic early days of the Church. The promise of life and forgiveness that had been given to the children of Abraham through the revelation of the prophets was intended for all people. No…
Daily Devotions: November 16, 2018
November 16, 2108 To read full passage click: Hebrews 10:19-25 …“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” vss. 24-25 Followers of Jesus are called to life in community, and it’s been like that since the early days of the church. We see from our scriptures that the disciples came…