Take a moment to observe your surroundings. Spring is undeniably here, with leaves and blossoms emerging to adorn each bare branch. Before long, the green canopy will be thick and abundant, erasing the memory of the stark views of the past 25+ … [Read more...]

By Hannah Brencher Recently, I attended a conference at my church and showed up a few days early to pray with other leaders. We prayed over seats and spaces and asked God to be big and vibrant. At one point in the evening, we shared what we'd … [Read more...]

"When each earthly prop gives under, and life seems a restless sea, are you then a God-kept wonder, satisfied and calm and free?" Streams in the Desert Last week we were without power for more than 24 hours. A tree limb took down the power line. … [Read more...]

  I often pray that God would make me attentive. On high alert for the people he needs me to see. One morning, I prayed a prayer in my journal: "Dear God, will you show me someone who needs me today?" I'm a frequent pray-er of this … [Read more...]

I’ve heard it said that life is full of regrets. That’s not a very happy thought. The sages say that the wicked are full of regrets, and the sinners are full of regrets. But being full of regrets is not meant for you. Whatever you did wrong, … [Read more...]

Wielding nostalgia for a bygone era — is invariably mischaracterized. If you really go back to study U.S. history, you would find two things: The past was worse, and conflict has always been the norm. The past was simply not “better” by any … [Read more...]

By Hannah Brenchner A few months ago, I taught a reflective writing class at a retreat in Pasadena. I wish I could remember the context of the conversation we were having. I only remember a woman talking about always having the cart with the … [Read more...]