Creativity is one of God’s attributes. As people made in his image, we humans also are filled with the ability to create. We express our God-given creativity in any number of ways, and not just through the stereo-typical activities – such as “the arts” – that we routinely associate with creative expression. We use and rely on creativity whether we are a building designer, a chef, a manager, or a counselor. Creativity – simply put – is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. And we can use this aspect of our characters to enrich our experience of prayer.  A few years ago, I came across the book  Praying in Color by Sybil Macbeth. She invites people to connect with God and others, using a free-form way of praying that includes drawing. This practice can be helpful for the visual learner, the distractible soul, the word-weary prayer warrior, or the person who needs a fresh way to pray.  Learning to “pray in color” is an approach that can...

I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own,  and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs  that you do not simply like them,  but truly love them. Henri Nouwen Nouwen, a renowned theologian and pastor, highlights the importance of something called, “the ministry of presence”, something that every Christian can offer. Yet so often we miss the opportunities that God brings our way.  How might this display itself? By letting our attention drift when someone talks to us, by impatience with explanations, impatience with children, impatient with those who interrupt us, impatient so we interrupt others. In short – we focus on ourselves. On our time, our tasks, our priorities. The ministry of presence invites us to resist such responses, and instead focus on the other person and his or her needs. We know this is possible, because our mo...

Hope is not something you gain by having a perfect life,  it is something you gain by having a relationship with a perfect Father.  Anonymous These words may catch us off-guard. We may say we have hope in God, but – if we listen to our language and observe our behavior – we might come to another conclusion. Particularly at Christmas time, when our culture focuses on activity and consumerism, we should take time to ponder this question: “Who…or what…do I place my hope in?” Our greatest hope is found in experiencing a more deeply abiding relationship with a perfect and loving Father, through his Son. This doesn’t mean that we can expect everything to be positive in our lives or that we will have a perfect life. There will be moments of dancing and joy, and there also will be pain and difficulties. The great news…the miracle of Christmas…is that God is “Immanuel”; the God who is with us (Matthew 1:23). He is with us in the ups and downs of our journeys, always looking...

Tears are words that need to be written. Paulo Coelho It was a difficult fall. My father had been hospitalized, my mother-in-law had major surgery, my husband had experienced a medical emergency, and my husband’s grandfather had passed away. We spent the fall going from hospital to hospital after full workdays and found, as we approached Christmas, sadness and weariness enveloped our souls.  Yet during the Christmas season, it can be difficult to face loss or grief. Social media and public places are filled with bright lights, cheery music and decorations galore. How do we face Christmas and all its festivities when our hearts feel burdened? Dealing with broken relationships, illness, death, change and other losses can leave us feeling exposed and bereft. We may find ourselves overwhelmed by the depth of our feelings, the inability to control our feelings, or even our lack of feelings. The quote by Paulo Coelho is a great reminder that tears need to be expressed as we tr...