Sometimes the fog fails to clear on Monday mornings and a jolt of espresso just doesn't cut it. Yet in our Monday morning blunderings, Jesus promises that he will make us like a garden of fountains whose streams are fed by the mountain springs. That is good news for weary, parched souls. During a recent retreat at Cultus Lake, a group of us were invited to go on a nature walk. We were encouraged to walk slowly and take in the beautiful subtleties around us. It is in the s

Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o'er-fraught heart and bids it break. ~William Shakespeare I am always reading about grief-to help others, to help myself, to learn what it means to truly grieve and step into it bravely and not cower away. Someone recently commented after watching a TV interview about In the Cleft that I am grieving too much. Yes, I thought, you are right-most definitely you are right. I am grieving too much. But, I’m health

There truly is no greater love than the one who lays down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) That's what Good Friday is--remembering the cost of our freedom. It cost everything. There has never been a greater act of love in all of history and I want to pause and give thanks to God for what he has done for all of human kind, and what he has done for me. As I paused to reflect today, I read Invited by Lorie Martin. In her contemplative exercises she suggests taking Psa

Henri Nouwen is one of my favourite authors. As I was reading some material of his today, I came across this quote that really spoke to my heart: "The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing...not healing, not curing, that is a friend who cares." That's it for today. Hope your day is filled with everything wonderful. Dana