I find the practice of visualization to be helpful in my journaling, prayers and discernment. Using God’s gift of imagination, I “see” what is possible and find hope and motivation. Having a picture or image of my word of the year reminds me to keep listening for its lessons and helps me focus and pay attention. In 2026 my word of the year is “way.” I am learning to listen how I say this word. Do I say “a way” or “the way?” Is way capitalized or not when I “see” the word? Paying attention to this detail has helped me get to know my word better. But what does my word look like? I have absolutely no talent in drawing. I have tried to do sketches or calligraphy, but a toddler could do better. Remember I am the one who failed scissors in kindergarten and never really improved on my small muscle capabilities since then. I needed outside help to find some ideas about how my word may appear. I entered this word into one of the artificial intelligence tools and ask it to create a … [Read more...]
Letting Go and Creating Space in 2026
Due to the predicted drifting snow and wind, I postposed a planning meeting with the worship team. We would meet a week later but still have time to get worship details organized for the upcoming season. The forecast foretold of difficult driving and no one wanted to be out on the roads. Guess what? The storm never really materialized, and we could have held the meeting and gotten our work done. I bemoaned this fact several times to my hubby. He kindly remined me, “Don’t keep second guessing yourself. Let it go.” Don’t keep second guessing myself. Yes, that is a good thing to release not just for this event but onward. Too often I let this old habit of rehashing and overthinking take over my mind and sometimes ruin a day. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set … [Read more...]
A Blessing
A Blessing May cherished memories of last year yield healing, joy, and wisdom. May the dark times sprinkle your tears watering growth in the new year. May the light of friends, present and from beyond, guide your next steps. May delightful muses dance in your dreams bringing whimsey and life to each day. May your heart be open and willing to embrace new adventures with faith. May you find some silliness, a few surprises, and significant strength and resilience. May you walk with kindness in your heart towards yourself and for others. May you experience God’s lavish love in your soul, knowing how precious you are. ©Jean Wise … [Read more...]
Merry Christmas
Wishing you and your family and friends a blessed Christmas and wonderful healthy happy New Year! … [Read more...]
What are the Most Favorite Christmas Carols?
What are the most favorite Christmas carols? That is a dangerous question, isn’t it? There are all sorts of variables that lead to various answers, even arguments. And probably directs the conversation to controversial answers depending on our tastes, cultures, settings and moods. Each December certain carols I want to hear: O Come O Come Emmanuel, O Holy Night, and of course Silent Night by candlelight on Christmas Eve. Over the radio I sing along with It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Confession: I want to hear at least once: I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas. OOO, there are so many and too many to mention! Did you know December 20 is Go Caroling Day? I haven’t seen as many carolers in the past few years and wonder if that tradition is dying out. A victim of Covid? I hope not. I did read that a Pew research study showed in 2013 that nearly 80% of Americans put up Christmas trees and 65% of … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – December 2025
Can you believe it is December already? I love the end of the year – all the fun, closure, celebrations, candlelights, worship, special moments, family get-togethers, and those clear winter nights when the stars are especially twinkling bright. A good time to pause and reflect and gather what makes life sweet. What are you savoring right now? I call these occasional sacred spaces my Four Somethings when I reflect on things I have read, seen, and experienced that enriched my life. I collect these bits of wisdom into four categories: Something Wise One of my favorite Mary Oliver poems: Don’t HesitateIf you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,don't hesitate. Give in to it.There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be.We are not wise, and not very often kind.And much can never be redeemed.Still, life has some possibility left.Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimessomething happens better than all the richesor power in the world.It could … [Read more...]
Christmas Card Day
Do you still send Christmas cards? Each year it seems like less people are mailing them. Probably due to the cost. Maybe the time involved. Perhaps we just don’t appreciate the practice anymore. Are we lazy? Is it time for this tradition to die? I hope not. December 9 is Christmas Card Day – did you know that? In my house Thanksgiving weekend is when the cards come out though and I begin organizing them, signing them and jotting quick notes. I get out a basket to gather the new ones I receive in the mail. I tenderly reread all of them after Christmas with the practice of saying a new year prayer for each of the people who took the time to remember our family as I remember them once again. I do love this tradition. Christmas cards bring back memories. My mom would put them on our mantel and tape them on the door frames. Sometimes we would take family photos for our cards marking the various growth of each child and passing of major milestones. Still today I love to … [Read more...]
Advent Begins
Advent begins November 30 and in the rush to get things done for the Christmas season our spirit cries out to slow down and pay attention to what is important and what is the true reason for the season. Don’t forget to savor the sacred moments. Breathe in silence. Sit in silence. Sing carols. Ponder the manger. Read slowly about the birth of Christ. Look deeply into the hearts of your friends and family. Listen to the sounds of the season. Read an Advent devotional. I would be amiss not to mention the devotional I wrote a few years ago, Christmas Crossroads, 30 Devotionals for the Holiday Season. Here are some quotes to bless your Advent season: “For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning – not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.”― Frederick Buechner, The Magnificent Defeat “At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a … [Read more...]