http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pleasure ~by Odessa Pilar Trevino Elizarraraz Pleasure. Many of us that are in the throes of parenting long forget what that word means and if it’s even applicable to our daily lives. It’s sacrificed on the altar of being a good mom or dad. Yet being in our pleasure is what makes life sweet and … Continue reading
By Laura Fanucci It started small. Maybe all our spiritual practices do. I’d bless my kids’ foreheads before bed, tracing a thin line with my thumb across their brows sweaty with curls. After books and prayers, before songs and kisses, I’d sign them with crosses – a mama’s bedtime blessing. Then I noticed we started … Continue reading
Pastor Sara Wolbrecht Balance is hard. Balance feels nearly impossible as a parent. Yet like a pendulum swinging back and forth (back and forth and back and forth), we are designed to have a similar rhythm in our lives. Moving from rest to work to rest to work. Paying attention to the creation story of … Continue reading
–by Chris Lenshyn Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46 Reflections: A classic text that if read with a daring faithfulness will push the reader into a place wherein they think of the people who are in need of unconditional love. This can be a daring experience because often the people who need love are the people whom our … Continue reading
~Lindsey Largen Being a parent, especially attempting to be an intentional parent who wants to raise my children to know and love God, plays on every fear that lives inside me. Let me show you how. On a typical night, I will send my 11 year old up to get ready for bed and then,15-20 … Continue reading
–by Erika Marksbury Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:15-21 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth, and show deference to no … Continue reading
~ Elizabeth Dilley Whenever we travel as a family, I find out whether I know the pastor of the local church of our denomination, and if so, my husband knows I’ll be lobbying for church that weekend. He likes to joke that “we even went to church on our honeymoon!” (Even though it was in … Continue reading
by Amy Yoder McGloughlin I know, I know. The news cycle on this is over, and thoughts are elsewhere. But, Ferguson’s story happens in some form every day in our country. The sad truth is that too many folks consider brown bodies to be less important than others. In the height of the … Continue reading
—Jennifer DiFrancesco Prayer: Autumn God, as our planet rotates and the earth signals a change, we sense a change in the seasons. We see shorter days and weather reports about frost, and crops are being harvested. Looking ahead to the changes brings mixed feelings. Help us to remain open during these “seasons” of change to … Continue reading
~by Christine Gough Last week my youngest son did the unthinkable. Well…maybe “unthinkable” to the mind of a 40 year old. But, it was “artistic expression” to a three year old. After taking a quick trip to the bathroom, I came out to our living room. And it was way too quiet. My expected fears … Continue reading
Practicing Families 