Author Archives: Charis
The anticipation of germination
I’m so excited! I just rented a venue for an event that I’ve been dreaming about for years. It is a momentous, and I hope life-changing, day. In fact, the whole day has been unusual. I had trouble sleeping last … Continue reading
Grace on butterfly wings
I’ve made a renewed commitment to pray every day. I can’t manage life’s busyness and stress without prayer. And now that summer is here, I like taking my Bible to the garden or park, where I find it easier to … Continue reading
One of those days
You know the kind of day when you want to quickly mow the lawn before starting your taxes (last year’s, but who’s counting), and you bring down the compost since you’re going to the backyard anyway, and find the bin … Continue reading
Happy Easter!
Christ is risen! In our tradition, we respond, “He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!” And we joyfully proclaimed it this morning! I feel blessed to overflowing. This weekend I went to four different churches, using the different expressions of prayer, praise, … Continue reading
Easter Saturday
It’s Easter Saturday — the day after we commemorate the death of Jesus. Jesus is in the grave. It’s the Sabbath, the day of rest, so his friends cannot embalm him, or prepare for a funeral — it would go against … Continue reading
Good Friday
It’s Good Friday, the day Christians remember the death of Jesus. To remember more vividly, I prayed the stations of the cross at a Catholic church. The prayers led us in imagining ourselves as bystanders of Jesus as he carried his cross to the place … Continue reading
Maundy Thursday
It’s Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday in the Christian calendar — the beginning of Easter, our most sacred holy day. The whole weekend is devoted to remembering Jesus’ teaching, betrayal, death, and resurrection. From Thursday to Saturday, we will keep vigil, … Continue reading
Walking on Water
We sang Hillsong’s Oceans (Where Feet may fail) on Sunday; it’s a beautiful song about following Jesus onto the water. It alludes to the passage when Jesus walked past the disciples on a stormy sea, while they struggled against the … Continue reading
Happy New Year! What are your hopes?
Last night as I shared a toast to the new year with a friend, we shared our hopes for the coming year. We both plan to finish house projects to enjoy peaceful surroundings where we can enjoy entertaining more, but … Continue reading
Expectant Hope
It’s advent, the season of expectant waiting. In my life, the spirit of Christmas doesn’t magically appear anymore. I veritably bristled when I saw my first retail Christmas display just after Hallowe’en, luring us to buy, buy, buy our way … Continue reading