Quietness and Rest – A Great Christmas Gift

Maybe it is just because of the busyness of the last few weeks, or because Tom & I have just booked accommodation for our annual Advent retreat, but I have been thinking a lot lately about the need for rest and quietness in our lives.  I think particularly as we move into what is generally [...]

Advent is Coming – Will You Join Me?

Tom and I are finally done with our travels.  It is good to be back in Seattle and getting my clock and my life turned around after our hectic Fall schedule.

I came back to beautiful orchids in bloom which certainly lifted my spirits when I considered the mountain of work that awaits me…. and it [...]

Where is Christmas?

I am sitting at our dining room table looking out on a beautiful September morning.  It is hard to believe that in a couple of days I will be in Australia – once more heading into spring rather than into autumn.  I will miss the glory of the fall leaves around the lake but I [...]

A Second Spirituality of Gardening Seminar

Due to the interest in this workshop, we have decided to add a second workshop for all the people who have expressed interest but can’t make it on the 25th. Here’s your chance to join in the garden fun!
The Spirituality of Gardening 2
2ND DATE: May 30th, 2009
TIME: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
LOCATION: the Mustard Seed House
COST: $40 – $45, lunch & [...]

Epiphany

Today marks the last official day of the celebration of Christmas culminating with the Feast Day of Epiphany this evening which celebrates the coming of the wise men.  However this does not mean that our celebrations are over.  We are now entering the season of epiphany which is a season that commemorates the revelation of [...]

That’s My King

Jesus is only one of the names by which we remember the Son of God.  Throughout the scriptures Christ is called by many names, most of which we rarely think about.  Yet our understanding of Christ and even of God is limited when we only know him by a few names.  To call him Christ [...]

What’s In A Name?

January 1st, in the Christian calendar is not the beginning of a new year.  This is the day we celebrate the circumcision of Christ.  Since our cultures are more squeamish than were those of our ancestors, modern calendars usually list it as the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus.   Just like every Jewish [...]

More Christmas Prayers

This morning I have been reading through some Advent meditations sent to me by our good friend Mark Pierson in New Zealand  Unfortunately they arrived too late to use for Advent but Mark’s reflections are always refreshing and provocative.  I have adapted one here that really impacted me this morning:
God moved into the neighbouhood, as [...]

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Here is an interesting bit of Christmas trivia that shows how creatively Christians have always managed to ensure that followers of Christ are trained in the tenets of their faith.  The Christmas song The Twelve Days of Christmas, is not really the nonsense rhyme its seems to be.
According to kirkweb.org, the song was written in [...]

A Christmas Prayer

I am sitting in our dining room looking out onto the snowiest landscape I have ever seen here in Seattle.  About 12″ of snow covers our yard and garden and there is the possibility of more to come.  We are all anticipating a white Christmas.
The fun aspect of the snow is that it has forced [...]