Journal

Tag: suffering

The Gift of Mourning

The Gift of Mourning

by Bill Simmons, President & CEO of American Leprosy Missions What is that nagging feeling I have?  Why do I feel a heaviness in my heart?  Something is clawing at my mind, clouding my eyes, preventing me from seeing the road ahead.  As this year draws to a close,...
4 Films for Advent

4 Films for Advent

The Advent Season presents us with the invitation to slow down, to shear away the clutter and noise of our lives enough to dwell on some of the richest themes in human existence.  We can observe how these themes play out in the grand drama of Scripture, as well as in...
Simple Soundings Devotionals

Simple Soundings Devotionals

In these Simple Soundings devotionals, Coracle staff and Spiritual Directors offer bite-sized reflections to be enjoyed at any time, to help keep your spirit nourished on the Journey with God.  “Simple Soundings” Devotional...
SOUNDINGS: “God in the Perfect Storm”

SOUNDINGS: “God in the Perfect Storm”

DOWNLOAD THIS REFLECTION >> And when Jesus got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we...
Being “Honest to God”

Being “Honest to God”

Recently, in a sermon at The Falls Church Anglican, I finally got the chance to spend some time unpacking quite a few years of thoughts about praying what we’re actually feeling versus what we think we should be feeling.  This is an intense time in our country and in...
What is Lament?

What is Lament?

What is it to lament? You make a lament when the pain you feel can’t be carried by mere words. You make a lament when you’re so sad about something that you’d rather cry than speak. You make a lament when you’re grieved so deeply that you want to throw-up. You make a...
Responding to Life’s Blows

Responding to Life’s Blows

Originally written circa 1988 Job 3:24-26 For my sighing comes as bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing I fear comes upon me, And what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes. “The thing I fear...
Psalm 130: God Uses and Redeems All

Psalm 130: God Uses and Redeems All

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2     O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive     to the voice of my pleas for mercy! These verses could have been penned by Jonah from the belly of the whale, who took Jonah literally to great depths!  But who has not...
Deliverer, Delivered

Deliverer, Delivered

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.”  Luke 2:6 (NIV)   In an unknown town, a week’s distance from the womanly wisdom of mother, sisters, aunts, it began.  Plodding heavily beside...
God’s Presence in Our Pain

God’s Presence in Our Pain

by Lori Smith “Jesus is here and He is loving you,” Bill said to me as I began my retreat out at Corhaven several years back. It was a message I couldn’t fully embrace yet.  I knew God loved me, I’d known that for as long as I could remember.  BUT … there had...
Deeper Into Life

Deeper Into Life

It’s doubtful that people ever actually want to meditate on suffering. But these mediations do come in the course of our lives, through direct or indirect circumstances. About two years ago, I wrote to you about the death of my cousin, Brian. In early Spring, I wrote...

4th of July and #JusticeinKenya

Today while we celebrate our Independence Day in the US, we remember also those who don’t enjoy the same freedoms as we do. We remember states where corruption, violence and injustice is rampant and inhabitants are ruled by fear. We especially are in mourning...