Today is the first day of Advent. Advent is the anticipation and waiting for the coming of Christmas and the coming of Jesus. The word “Advent” originates from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” “approach,” or “arrival.” It is derived from the Latin verb advenire, meaning “to come to.” In Church Latin, adventus specifically referred to…
Category: Soul Work
Intentional Living: How to Expect and Embrace Blessings
Expect a blessing. That was the topic of the article I read as we prepare for the holiday season. Instead of counting our blessings, the author encouraged us to expect a blessing. I was chatting with a friend. I was curious to see how she would answer some questions in my new daily planner, and,…
Embracing God’s Relentless Pursuit
The presence of God is a profound mystery. He goes before us: Deuteronomy 31:8: NIV: The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. He is present at all times, past, present, and future: Psalm 139:5 You hem…
Living Stones
My father wrote a book titled “The Man Called Jesus.” I was thinking of his story from the perspective of the thief on the cross, as well as the exchange between him and Jesus from the cross. My study with Kristi McLelland emphasized the “we culture” in the early Church and the importance of viewing holiness in…
Finding Peace in the Present: A Bike Ride Reflection
Riding our bikes is a place of peace and a time to slow down. The smooth hum was instantly lost to the air. It was a planned afternoon on the Capital Trail with our granddaughter, Autumn, no pressing agenda, just the simple rhythm of turning pedals and teaching her to love nature and being outdoors….
Finding Healing and Hope in Prayer and Friendship
My current Bible study author noted that journaling is a way to share God‘s faithfulness. At the end of each year, she will spend three days reading through all her journal entries to contemplate God‘s faithfulness. As you know, this is a practice for me to write about what I’m learning in life, meaningful events,…
Treasures for a Lifetime
Gifts I Will Cherish Always Turning a new decade is always a moment for reflection, but this year, my 60th, was marked by the most profound gift: a letter from my daughter, Valentina. I know how much words matter, both to her and to me, and reading her acknowledgment of our journey has left me…
A Heartfelt Birthday Conversation with My Father
I was writing another post that I just saved and left. In the middle of my post, my Echo Show (Alexa) blurted out, “Message to Anna, Happy Birthday, Tom, Happy.” What? I did not set that to go off, and when I asked her who did this, she did not have an answer. I laughed…
Living Generously: Letting Go and Embracing Kindness
Merriam-Webster defines generous as “liberal in giving: openhanded.” I’m reminded of verses about a harvest, reaping, and sowing. Profound wisdom that reminds us that if we sow seeds of kindness and love, we will reap a harvest of the same. What we give out truly, for the most part, comes back to us. In my current…
Embracing God’s Love: A Mother’s Reflection on Faith
When a child is born into the world, their eyes search for the face of the ones who love them. Years ago, I wrote about this moment in the hospital that was so special to me. They swaddle your little one in a blanket and bring them to your arms to feed or nurse. In…
ARRESTED BY GRACE 