by Sibyl Towner We are at the high point in Holy Week where we see the beautiful expression of Jesus' love as he moves toward facing his hardest moments. We see him teaching in the temple, fellowshipping in the intimacy of the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, walking through betrayal by Judas, and experiencing […]

by Joan Kelley “It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another […]

by Joan Kelley “The voice you listen to is the one you belong to.”  - Jonathan David Helser We all have voices we listen to externally and internally; present voices and voices from our past; loud voices and quiet voices. It takes quieting our body, mind and heart to be able to discern the voice […]

by Joan Kelley Sometimes the most stunningly beautiful parts of my day have no words...a knowing glance, sharing a tear, a smile from a stranger, noticing a piece of creation that's been there all along, finding something that was lost, listening well, holding someone's story tenderly, margin left in between appointments, a deep breath or […]

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 "What we delight in, we tend to seek. We will find ourselves lingering over the works of God, celebrating before Him with glad hearts, and talking ever more eagerly about them–and especially about His work […]

I was seven years old when I remember organizing the ragamuffin group of kids from the neighborhood to put on a circus event for our parents and friends on the swing set in our backyard. It was not uncommon for me to write plays, cast unsuspecting kids in lead roles, direct the whole thing, and […]

By Sharon Swing What does it look like for you to live a meaningful life? I appreciate how Victor Frankl in his book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning,’ is defined meaning as ‘resonance with one’s core essence.’ Your core essence is rooted in God’s design of you; how he made you to live and move, do […]

By Sharon Swing In life, what is more important than learning to recognize and respond to God? This statement seems to point to the essence of what we need to enable us to live a life of love, joy, peace, and profound positive impact in the world. We can attune ourselves to God’s intentions to […]

By Sharon Swing I visited a 'Listen to My Life’ group in a prison led by one of our amazing 'Listen to My Life' facilitators, Linda Heaner, volunteering with Prison Fellowship.  Having engaged in all eight maps of 'Listen to My Life’, the group was asked to repeat the first map, ‘My Life Now.’ The […]

By Sharon Swing I was struck by the benediction given by Jon Peacock, pastor of Mission Church in Roselle, IL this weekend after his message on the armor of God. Let this be your declaration each day! “I’m not shrinking back, I’m moving forward. I’m not backing down, I’m suiting up. I’m standing firm, I’m […]