At a time when there is so much suffering, and when people are focused on divisive political issues and beliefs, let us focus on the God of Mercy, our theme for this month. Spending time with the God of Mercy can soften our hearts and help us find common ground with those who are from a different religion or country, or who hold a different belief system.

What has been life-sustaining for me in my most stressful times? My Sacred Space. God is everywhere, both within us and around us. You do not need a physical place to connect with the Divine, yet there is something special about having a physical place that brings an awareness of God in a more intentional way.

If you are feeling tired, overwhelmed by your inbox, or just plain down right now, I invite you to pause for a moment. Notice the rhythm within you and around you.

Start by recognizing the natural rhythm of your breath. Inhale. Exhale. There is a reason we feel out of tune when life gets busy.

Connecting with your creativity is about opening the door to allow this Creator God to be The Creator in you. Unleash. Hold nothing back. Be undeniably you. All of you. And see what happens.

Too many people live lonely and isolated lives. Some are isolated at home. Others feel lonely in their viewpoints at a time when shaming has become a sport on social media and TV; it can feel unsafe to share. Many are yearning for community, yet feel dissatisfied with their church communities. How can we help ourselves and each other live more connected lives? We can start by listening (to ourselves and others) in a new way.

How many consecutive days have you spent living in a human-made world without reconnecting with your first mother, Earth? Do not judge your answer; just notice. Give yourself time to pause and go outside. Be open to re-connecting with Mother Earth.

Experience the Bible story of the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42) in a new light. Recognize this story as one that holds the longest-running conversation between Jesus and anyone in the Bible. I am having a new conversation with Jesus through this story. I invite you to be open to a new one as well.

Let Your God Love You is the title of a prayer by Edwina Gately and the inspiration behind one of my prayer practices. I invite you to let this beautiful phrase inspire you to connect with the gentleness of God.

I invite you to chose a word for 2024. I like this exercise because it is not about creating a goal or adding one more thing to your “to-do” list. It is about being attentive and listening. What are your values and desires when making choices with your time and energy throughout the year?

How do you start a conversation about God? Is there a way to do so without sounding preachy? In what ways can you tell if your sharing is appreciated or offensive? The holiday season often brings more gatherings than usual with family and friends we do not see regularly. Are you wanting to share your faith with them?

What do you do when your questions have no answers? Or no good answers? When no answers bring comfort? Sit with them. Pray with them. Place them with Jesus’ questions.

A life change rocks your world. You feel as if you are in a state of free fall. You ask yourself, What happened to my security?

It is easy to become focused on our individual roles in life. How are you connected to the whole?

The couch. Netflix. A bag of cheese popcorn. I have to admit these are the first things that come to mind.

Dancing. The Holy Trinity. Embracing joy and mystery. I have a lot to share in this reflection as I invite you to dance for the joys of life and with the awareness of the beauty of life—in all its mystery. Dance with an awareness that however you are moving through life right now, God in all the dynamic and mysterious ways of the Holy Trinity is dancing with you.

Hope is the belief in your eternal value. The belief in a God who is present with unconditional love for you. This definition is rooted in your relationship with God. It does not include circumstances. Nor does it say anything about things turning out as planned. Hope is not optimism, nor is it wishful thinking. It is a deep knowing—mind, body, and soul—that no matter what happens, God will be there for you.

It is Palm Sunday, a day of celebrating Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, palms waving, crowds cheering. It feels festive, and there is a sense of anticipation for we know what is to come, Holy Week and the crux of our faith, the Resurrection of Christ. This is a season where our faith is at the forefront of our lives, a very holy time. In an Easter sermon, St. Augustine preached about being “Easter People”, a call to live resurrected life every day. Believing Jesus rose from the dead, we are called to live in the resurrection every single day. Not just during the holy seasons of Lent and Holy Week. Not only when we feel like it. Every. Single. Day.

What is your word for 2023? The invitation to focus on a new word for the year has become a January ritual for Retreat, Reflect, Renew. Every year I get excited to share this question with you and listen to your intentions here in the comments space and during our Sacred Circles. I like this exercise because it is not about the need to have a goal or add one more thing onto the “to-do” list. Being attentive to one word can help remind you of your values and desires when making choices with your time and energy. It is your invitation to continually check in with how God is calling you into health and wholeness.