A Spiritual Journey Through Creativity
I bought Shauna Niequist’s new book Present Over Perfect a couple weeks ago. I meant to buy it last month, I meant to start reading it when I got it, but I had too many other things to do, I didn’t make the time. The irony is not lost on me. I began reading it… Continue reading Laid Back
We’ve got 5 very large Rose of Sharon trees/bushes on the south side of our house. Two years ago we cut them back a little, but nothing major. This year, however, every time I come back from taking Denali on a walk, I see those bushes and cringe. They are out of control. Just looking… Continue reading Pruning
About twenty years ago I preached my first sermon. It was senior Sunday. I was 17 years old. I stood up in the sanctuary with brick walls that were somehow very warm and inviting. I stood in front of people who were my family – people who loved and supported me, people who welcomed me… Continue reading Known and Unknown
I have this thing with music. I love it but can't love it too much. If I listen to the same songs or album too much, I can’t get it out of my head. Not just, “oh that’s annoying” kind of can’t-get-it-out-of-my-head. It’s the “I can’t sleep and won’t ever sleep again because this song… Continue reading Be Held
I have a hard time using the word “runner” to describe myself. It’s definitely not the first word that comes to mind. If I think about it long enough, I’ll remember it, but that takes awhile – after going through several other adjectives and roles. Recently I was talking to an acquaintance about running. She… Continue reading Runner
I’m feeling all over the place today. I thought by now I would have this sabbatical thing figured out. Because this isn’t permanent, because in about 6 weeks I know I’m returning to my job, I’m having a hard time settling into this very wide, very open space. If I knew this was my thing… Continue reading Voices
When I was younger I went on a few family retreats, but I didn’t experience a retreat on my own as my own person until late in high school. My dad was appointed to a new church half way through my junior year of high school – this church was much bigger than our previous… Continue reading Longing
The quote above from Stephen W. Smith is in my planner for today. Each Sunday there is a quote about Sabbath with lots of space to journal or reflect about the quote. This one, in particular, really jumped out at me. Always on, always available, always busy. I feel like this is a description of… Continue reading Always
Earlier this year I read through the Book of Psalms and now I’m reading one daily as suggested by following the Daily Office. The Psalms have always intrigued me – it’s like someone took a journal they found, or several journals, put them together and declared them truth. I’m not one of those people that believe… Continue reading Remember
Soon after I got Denali I realized my somewhat sedentary life style had to end. I woke up early every morning and we would walk 3 miles or so. Once she got a little older I decided to start jogging with her. At the end of each walk we would start jogging for the last… Continue reading Slowing Down
Anne Brock 