Fixated on Hope

This holy silent Sabbath on Easter weekend has a powerful message for us all. This morning, I heard a priest say, “We must look at the cross and dare to find beauty in it.” Not only should we look at Christ’s cross and find beauty in it, but we should look at our own crossContinue reading “Fixated on Hope”

The Choice of Rest

Jane Austen wrote in Persuasion (my favorite book of hers) that “None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” The truth is, while this may be true for some, some of us are desperately seeking calm waters because it feels like we have been in that boat the disciples find themselvesContinue reading “The Choice of Rest”

Rise

By: Gabriela Yareliz Despair seems to be as available as the air we breathe. It feels palpable. I see it in the faces of strangers, colleagues, clients. I sense it, too, in those I love. I sense it in myself, at times. The thing about despair is that when we breathe it in, it seemsContinue reading “Rise”

American Wealth: Hope, Opportunity & Resilience

[Image via englishspeecheschannel.com] “Always do what you are afraid to do.” Ralph Waldo Emerson By: Gabriela Yareliz There was a JFK essay contest in high school. We learned about it through a newspaper we would read in English class. Those cute papers that had poems and featured other peer writing. I wanted in, and IContinue reading “American Wealth: Hope, Opportunity & Resilience”

How to Shake Off the Week

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5 Today was a rough day. I won’t go into the details. I will pick up where I left off on Monday. But as I felt the overwhelm and edginess that comes with the feeling of being chewed and spit out, I satContinue reading “How to Shake Off the Week”

Crossed the Line

“I can assure you that those of us who have woken up to corruption aren’t going back to sleep. People don’t go back to sleep after waking up from this dream. Our eyes are wide open and the fight for our freedom is on.” Ashley Taylor @ ashleytaylorwellness By: Gabriela Yareliz The world seems toContinue reading “Crossed the Line”

Arbiters

By: Gabriela Yareliz As someone who interacts with Christians from all political leanings online through my website, I have observed how subtly and yet blatantly we have turned from Scripture on many issues and sort of made ourselves our own little gods. We often gravitate toward whatever makes us feel righteous, good, included and unlikeContinue reading “Arbiters”

Bonhoeffer on Scripture

By: Gabriela Yareliz I loved Bonhoeffer’s thoughts on Scripture: “One cannot simply read the Bible, like other books. One must be prepared really to enquire of it. Only thus will it reveal itself. Only if we expect from it the ultimate answer, shall we receive it.” “Do not try to make the Bible relevant. ItsContinue reading “Bonhoeffer on Scripture”

Nourishment for Hard Times

By: Gabriela Yareliz Where We Are What does it look like to confront moments of uncertainty? We all do it, day after day. I was listening to a doctor on a podcast who is temporarily staying in Harlem, and she was talking about how there is a depressive cloud over NYC. The subways are silent.Continue reading “Nourishment for Hard Times”

After the Wall Fell

By: Gabriela Yareliz Today, I was reading the story of Rahab. It’s funny because we are all familiar with the story. Israel sends spies to Jericho to strategize how they can take the city and conquer it. Rahab’s home is in the very wall of Jericho. (Joshua 2:15) She is a prostitute who hides theContinue reading “After the Wall Fell”