Niksen: A Time for Be-ing
Today’s post is by Mary van Balen There is a Dutch word for doing nothing: Niksen. I know this not because of my Dutch heritage but from an article that made its way to my email inbox. What does it say about our modern sensibilities that an article about doing nothing and not feeling guilty […]
Leaning Against Trees
Today’s post is by Melanie Weldon-Soiset One cloudy Friday this past March, eight Sojourners fellows and I gathered in my DC living room to seek divine presence. We participated in the Howard Thurman Retreat Day, an online opportunity with Shalem. Lerita Coleman Brown facilitated reflections for us about Howard Thurman’s life and teachings, reflections that […]
The Simple Act of Breathing
Today’s post is by Mary van Balen The liturgical feasts of Pentecost and the Holy Trinity focus my thoughts on the Holy Spirit. Of the biblical accounts of Pentecost, I’m always drawn to John’s, where Jesus appears to the disciples gathered in fear, greets them with “Peace be with you,” and imparts the Spirit to […]
Life Revealed as a Resource
Today’s post is by Ernest Yau What was he up to; I had no clue…until years later. He nudged then urged, rushed then pushed, finally roared at me to get out of my cozy world inside the walls lined with bookcases. My ordered life was soon disordered. I thought I was minding God’s business by […]
Resting Through Our Work
Today’s post is by Tilden Edwards At one point in a workshop, I asked people to be in touch with their desires. Afterward, two pastors came up and said the first desire that spontaneously came to each of them was for rest. You don’t have to be a pastor for that desire to show up […]
Evening Visitor
by Bryan Berghoef “Meow, meow, me-ooow,” came the sad call from outside my window. A farm cat had wandered over the neighboring field and was now circling my backyard office shed. It was a forlorn call, and he was right underneath the window where I was holding a pre-marital counseling session with a young couple. […]
Meditation Club
Today’s post is by Bryan Berghoef I recently gathered with some friends for a time of silence at what we are calling, “Meditation Club.” There’s no big agenda. No expected outcomes. Simply the chance to come and meet in the quiet. I try to take time to meditate on my own regularly, but I have […]
Seeing Clearly
Today’s post is by Bryan Berghoef All of my life I’ve had great vision, never needed glasses, and always breezed through the letter charts during eye tests. But in recent months I began to realize things were changing. I could no longer read text on the television when seated on the couch. Driving at night […]
Drawing Us Forward
Today’s post is by Mary van Balen We are often afraid of the truth. Rather than experiencing it as a way to experiencing a deeper reality, we see it as something that up ends our world, threatens our sense of security, and even our sense of self. We have found a comfortable place to “fit in,” […]
Walking on Water and Sinking Like a Stone
Today’s post is by Ron Rolheiser Faith isn’t something you ever simply achieve. It’s not something that you ever nail down as a fait accompli. Faith works this way: Some days you walk on water and other days you sink like a stone. Faith invariably gives way to doubt before it again recovers its confidence, […]