Is Church Pleasurable?
The venerable hymn “All My Hope on God Is Founded” in our Hymnal 1982 offers more than one gem in its verses, but I love looking around every time we sing the above line in a church. “Pleasure leads us where we go.”
Spiritual Practices
Where Did You Find Jesus Today?
Despite my best attempts, we struggle committing to a formal Christian education time or daily devotion in our house of chaos. I couldn’t quite put my finger on exactly why, but it was likely the four busy, beautiful daughters I call my own.
Teaching the Lord’s Prayer
A while ago I was looking for a gift to give at church for children’s baptisms or to new parents, when I stumbled upon these jumbo prayer beads, perfect for little hands. Wanting to connect the beads to a practice of prayer, I devised a little method of traveling the beads while praying The Lord’s Prayer, connecting each bead to a portion of the prayer, in the hopes that this tactile practice would help the children both memorize and internalize the prayer that Christ taught us all to pray.
Good Book Club: A Beginning
Tonight one of my boys burst into tears just as I grabbed the bible to start our reading of Romans. He had just remembered that he lost his homework that is due tomorrow and half-way finished.* I took a deep breath. “We’ll find it buddy, it is time to read Romans now.”
The Small Wonders of the Season
I saw an Instagram post this past week made by a residential program for women who are trying to piece their lives back together after varying circumstances. The picture in the post showed a small child holding a Christmas ornament, the young son of one of the women. The child was entranced with the sparkly red ball in his hands.
Letters of Light
Looking for a simple, low-cost project to bless others this Advent? Forward Movement invites you to create Letters of Love – messages of love, hope, and inspiration for those away from home.
AdventWord: a Daily Reflection Opportunity
The offering of #AdventWord provides a daily short reflection and visual meditation to guide Christians around the world to prepare our hearts and homes for the arrival of Christ.
Faith at Home: Planning for Advent
Advent is officially one week away. How are you feeling about it? Will this be the year you are finally able to slow down and enjoy this season of preparation? Grow Christians tries every November to ready our community to do just that.
Our Thank You Pumpkin
Starting on November 1, we take turns writing one thing we are each thankful for in a black Sharpie marker on our pumpkin. This designated pumpkin sits in the center of our dinner table throughout the month of November. It always brings joy and quite a bit of laughter to hear what our boys are thinking about or to see what they quietly and sneakily write on the pumpkin.
Be the blessing you want to see in the church.
How can we help young people feel included in our churches? Miriam suggests ways to include teens in your stewardship campaign by offering them the opportunity to be a blessing to, in, and for your congregation.
