I am up at 4:34 am, as we wait for the downpours Hurricane Laura is supposed to bring to NYC. There is an occasional drip-drip outside, but nothing else. I have been thinking a lot about rituals, lately. Sometimes, rituals get a bad rap. They are considered to just be routine or things on aContinue reading “Rituals”
Category Archives: religion
The Strength for Some Madness
By: Gabriela Yareliz My boyfriend is very gifted and artistic— it really shines when it comes to food. He makes things that are so delicious but also knows how to present them on a plate. He can make sparkling water next-level, you know what I mean? He found this show on Netflix called Chef’s TableContinue reading “The Strength for Some Madness”
A Lesson on Father’s Day
By: Gabriela Yareliz Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are often avoided by people who have experienced childhood trauma. Some people have experienced pain caused by one or both parents, so they distance themselves from the holiday and deeper yet, from the person it celebrates. Father’s Day isn’t a holiday I like to embrace. Sometimes, itContinue reading “A Lesson on Father’s Day”
Ravi Zacharias
By: Gabriela Yareliz This week, we mourned a fierce man of faith, and a personal hero of mine, Ravi Zacharias. He is someone I have quoted extensively and studied with extensively. A man who was determined to reveal faith to the rational mind. A man determined to make us all seekers of truth, in aContinue reading “Ravi Zacharias”
Emotional Undercurrent
By: Gabriela Yareliz This morning, I was speaking to friends of mine, in my home church in Florida. We send a text on Saturday mornings, when we pray for each other and our families. He and his wife are two of the most amazing people I know, who live their lives in full ministry— God’sContinue reading “Emotional Undercurrent”
The Convenience of Religion
By: Gabriela Yareliz I grew up in the churches where you could find half the church in a hospital room holding a prayer vigil, as someone held the sick person’s hand, while praying. It didn’t matter who walked by. The prayer was loud. Hell, we prayed for the nurses, doctors and whomever was sharing theContinue reading “The Convenience of Religion”
Writing on the Wall
By: Gabriela Yareliz I am cleaning out my office because a new adventure awaits. My eyes fell on quotes I have on post-its on the wall. The first is by Will Durant, and it says, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act but a habit.” Other quotes on my wallsContinue reading “Writing on the Wall”
God’s Answer to Uncertainty
By: Gabriela Yareliz I was reflecting on the many uncertainties we face in this life. It’s a challenging adventure for all of us finite beings. As I thought about this, I was praying and I decided to read out of a devotional I sometimes dive into, by Tony Dungy, The One Year Uncommon Life DailyContinue reading “God’s Answer to Uncertainty”
God’s Answer to Uncertainty
By: Gabriela Yareliz I was reflecting on the many uncertainties we face in this life. It’s a challenging adventure for all of us finite beings. As I thought about this, I was praying and I decided to read out of a devotional I sometimes dive into, by Tony Dungy, The One Year Uncommon Life DailyContinue reading “God’s Answer to Uncertainty”
Calm
“The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 11.18.5b When I read this, it struck a chord. I am not always calm. I have my frenzied moments. Moments where I don’t trust timing, hormonal moments (there should be greeting cards apologizing for PMS– I couldContinue reading “Calm”