by Wade Ballou | Dec 24, 2013 | Contemplative Life
In the Joseph portion of the Christmas story (Matthew 1: 18-24), Joseph reverses his decision to put Mary away due to his encounter with an angel of the Lord who comes in a dream. In the Mary portion of the Christmas story (Luke 1: 26-56), Mary accepts the word of the...
by Coracle | Dec 18, 2013 | Contemplative Life
by Kit Elmer A wise friend once told me “God is alive in the present moment and in eternity. Satan’s territories are the past and the future.” Those words impacted me greatly and I realized that is why these two questions, “What if?” and “If only?” can be and have...
by Bill Haley | Dec 15, 2013 | Contemplative Life
A Homily in Memoriam for Peggy Buresh, December 15, 2013 My enduring memories of Peggy Buresh will not be her body in the last year of her life on this earth the way that this earth is now. They will be of all her years of life leading into this past year, and there...
by Lucas Koach | Dec 13, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Who has achieved more for global peace, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon or…Fozzy Bear? The gospel of Jesus is radiated long before it is communicated. What is radiated is what is communicated. “For we are the aroma of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15); the truth of our...
by Bill Haley | Dec 6, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Recently, I had another all too familiar conversation with a man preparing for a retreat at Corhaven. He said, “Even though I’ve been a Christian for many years and heard a hundred sermons on this, I have a hard time accepting God’s love for me. If I had to climb 10...
by Wade Ballou | Nov 29, 2013 | Contemplative Life
A Japanese red maple graces the front of our home. We planted it about 20 years ago. It provides wonderful shade while in leaf and lately has been home to a family of doves. It does however have the bad habit of dripping a sticky resin onto our cars. In the Fall its...
by Wade Ballou | Nov 27, 2013 | Contemplative Life
I have been trying to write about icons since attending Betsey Malloy’s retreat at Corhaven on Praying With Icons (June 2, 2013). I own a handful of icons. They look nice. But, pray with them? Afterward, I agreed to write a reflection and it would “not...
by Coracle | Nov 27, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
by Carol Jackson Appealing: attractive or interesting. synonyms: attractive, engaging, alluring, captivating, tempting, enticing, irresistible, winsome, 2. (of an expression or tone of voice) showing that one wants help or sympathy. “an appealing look”...
by Soren Johnson | Nov 7, 2013 | Church Unity, Contemplative Life
The original blog was posted on the catholic herald. “Long-confession-line graces” I’m still trying to make sense of it all. In the past few months, I’ve attended several Catholic mega-gatherings where penance was offered. In each, men, women and children...
by Wade Ballou | Nov 3, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Several weeks ago we celebrated with our son Daniel his marriage to Brittany and I was able to share the following blessing: Daniel, you have our blessing to leave our home and to make a new home with Brittany and to take with you the best that we could give you....
by Coracle | Sep 25, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Recently a man in his mid-30s (professional, deep Christian, father of four young children) came out to Corhaven from Arlington for a retreat, and met God. He was kind enough to put it into words. He had an experience that was uniquely his, but one that I’ve heard...
by Coracle | Aug 7, 2013 | Contemplative Life
by Chrissy Koach Movie fans may already know what I’m talking about: one is obsessed and the other is oppressed. One is consumed with desire to possess something, and one is feeling crushed by circumstances surrounding him. Neither one is perfect: George verbally...
by Coracle | Jul 31, 2013 | Contemplative Life
The other week, I assisted my wife and some other adults in advising a group of sr. high aged kids from around the country, in a week of service and volunteering. This “Work Camp” was held in Concord and Charlotte, NC at a therapeutic horse farm...
by Soren Johnson | Jul 15, 2013 | Contemplative Life
The other day, I was driving home with my boys after a rained-out Little League practice. Lightning flickered behind receding clouds, a headache lingered from a long day at the office, and my 8-year old, Owen, predictably asked if they could play outside when we got...
by Lucas Koach | Jun 30, 2013 | Contemplative Life
A mantle is the place where we display prized valuable possessions in the most prestigious spot in our house. I always feel like my mantle at home is always missing just the right object. By contrast, a simple bird house, exposed to the elements, is built to be...
by Wade Ballou | May 23, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Liturgical Seasons
Two on a journey have an encounter: upon reflection, “weren’t our hearts strangely warmed,” they said. (Luke 24: 13-35) Jesus sending his followers out by twos with instructions not to take anything and with authority over the unclean spirits. They...
by Wade Ballou | May 9, 2013 | Contemplative Life
(to be read slowly, with much silence between the thoughts) In John 21:3 Simon Peter said, “I am going fishing.” They said, “We’ll go with you.” Although they fished all night, they caught nothing. After being directed by Jesus,...
by Bill Haley | Apr 25, 2013 | Contemplative Life, Vocation
Recently with World Relief in Philadelphia, mention was made in a room of about a hundred people that I had met (very briefly) Mother Teresa some years ago. A few minutes later, a man found me across the crowded room, because he wanted to share his own experience. ...
by Soren Johnson | Apr 18, 2013 | Contemplative Life
Jolts of inspiration don’t arrive in the mail every day. But a while ago, my uncle called. He told me that in cleaning out his basement, he’d come across my great-grandmother’s Bible. He’d be happy to pass it on to me. Nanny — as we affectionately knew her — fled...
by Gabriel Dodd | Mar 21, 2013 | Contemplative Life
What is retreat, and why do we do it? Retreat is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director.” A Christian retreat is often referred to as a definite time spent away from...
