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I was reading a meditation on stress yesterday. It came on the heels of another source of spiritual thought that I regularly frequent meditating on Jesus’ admonition in the sermon on the Mount not to worry. It got me to thinking—- Lent starts on February 18. Do I participate this year and what might be a worthy focus? I’m not wise enough to discern fully but feel prompted to advocate an examination of stressors in life. Simply put, our hearts need to incorporate the truth t

There is a familiar scene in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”. It is the day after Christmas and Bob Cratchit comes into Ebenezer Scrooge’s office about 18 minutes late. Scrooge bellows and mockingly berates him for his tardiness. Cratchit’s excuse was “I was making rather merry yesterday, Sir”. I will apply Cratchit’s line to my tardiness in getting this installment on advent Joy out a bit late. I have gratefully had the opportunity to make merry with family this past we

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 “Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. Psalm 122: 7-9 Long standing tradition designates this second Sunday of Advent as peace Sunday. Last week I invited a look at how the world is shrouded in spiritual and moral dark