My year without shopping has begun. When I brought the idea of not buying anything for a year to my family my twelve-year-old daughter literally said “this is the worst thing that has happened to me in my whole life . . .” She really likes shopping. Like a lot. Much to my chagrin. continue reading »
Author: Elizabeth
2018 . . . A Year Without Things . . . New Things Anyway . . .
Happy new year. 2017 was . . . so many things. Full of change, turmoil, natural disaster, political upheaval. One thing about the turning of the calendar’s page is that it brings a sense of newness. The idea that we have a clean slate of sorts. Which is probably why so many people make resolutions continue reading »
This Advent Season . . .
Tis the season . . . As we begin the advent season the world around us seems determined to make us think about everything but the coming of Jesus. Determined to distract us from the waiting, the anticipation, the joy, the peace and the salvation that His arrival means for the world. Whether it’s black continue reading »
Guest Post – Melanie Yong
As I walk past aisle after aisle of the cold section in my local supermarket, checking the different cuts, parts and fat percentage in the minced meat, I thought about that time when I visited my friend in his village, east of my homeland in Malaysia. Scanning through fleshy, pink fresh meat, organic and non-organic, continue reading »
it’s not just cubits in here
My grandmother, who passed away eight years ago, read through the Bible annually. I still remember her in her house dress and bathrobe sitting in an old arm chair in the morning leafing through her well-worn King James. I aspire to her consistency but not the house dress and bathrobe, they were kind of awful! continue reading »
A Time Such as This
These days I find myself often considering and being challenged by Mordecai’s words from Esther 4:14 – And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? The story of Esther has been a source of inspiration for me for some time. Esther’s courage, her commitment to continue reading »
Risk and Reward
By Miriam Riad Throughout Scripture, we see that followers of Jesus are required to take risks. Whether it is risk of social status, risk of losing possessions, or even risk of their very lives, Christians are called to this life of abandonment. One of my favorites passages of Scripture is Mark 10, where Jesus has continue reading »
Linking Justice and Generosity in the Church
Linking Generosity and Justice in the Church Early spring to summer is a transition time in the church—Holy Week is over, programs are lighter, congregants are preparing for vacations and enjoying warmer weather. But it is also a time when significant activity is happening below the surface, the spring planting of new ministry opportunities and continue reading »
A Look at 2017
Christa and I are excited to begin 2017 with the Boston Faith & Justice Network. We have been working as Co-Directors for more than two years now and feel like this will be the best year yet—which is saying something because last year was tremendous. We had two great events—Jonathan Wilson-Hargrove came to speak in continue reading »
Advent by Miriam
With the approach of Christmas, I have been thinking about generosity. Christmas is the season of giving, and Jesus is the great giver. All I can think about is how generously He came. With the word justice, there is automatically an association and assumption of action. The angels told the shepherds there was good news. continue reading »