by Janice MacLean | Dec 31, 2015 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
Mostly I imagine the Magi heads tilted eyes upward peering into night skies searching for the wild star. I see them draped in star-light drawn onward resolute as can be given the uncertainty of stars and how unknown the destination. And yet this year, I’m drawn...
by Janice MacLean | Dec 21, 2015 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“Just when Joseph resolved to do this.” (Matthew 1:20)
Resolved. Firmly determined. Definite decision. Joseph resolved not to subject Mary to public disgrace but dismiss her quietly. They were betrothed, more than engaged; they were espoused to one another. Their...
by Janice MacLean | Dec 17, 2015 | Ordinary, Reflections
John Heidt told me this story: A grandfather and his young grandson visited the ocean. The excited child ran to water’s edge and plunged his tiny bucket into the cold water. Running back to Grandfather, he shouted “I got the ocean. I got the ocean.”...
by Janice MacLean | Dec 10, 2015 | Ordinary, Reflections
After months of picking up beach glass, I found a red piece, a solitary fragment perhaps from a ship’s lantern or a treasured bottle. Joy. I named it Joy. In honour of great delight and pleasure They visit rarely. Each time there is occasion for joy I remember...
by Janice MacLean | Dec 3, 2015 | Ordinary, Reflections
Put peace into each other’s hands And like a treasure hold it, protect it like a candle-flame, with tenderness enfold it.” – Fred Kaan Make a cradle with your hands. Your hands. Bring your attention to the hand that holds the other Feel the weight Bring your...
by Janice MacLean | Dec 3, 2015 | Ordinary, Reflections
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops – at all – This is a snippet of a poem from Emily Dickinson. I memorized the words when I was a young adult. Every once in awhile my...
by Janice MacLean | Nov 1, 2015 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
“I’ve known rivers: I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.” – Langston Hughes A river watering the garden flowed from Eden. Shall we gather by the river? Here is Holy...
by Janice MacLean | Aug 1, 2015 | Free Stuff
The Season of Creation is coming! Looking for a resource for a small group study? Here is a sample of the Session 2 Leader’s Page from Landscapes of the Soul. A Four Week Study is developed by Janice MacLean. Gather a group and use this resource to explore the...
by Janice MacLean | May 19, 2015 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
There is a fierce boldness in those Tower of Babel builders (Genesis 11:1-10). With one voice, one vision, one heart and admirable creativity they build a city with a towering tower, desiring to secure their name forever and bind their unity. They were of one...
by Janice MacLean | Apr 1, 2015 | Lectionary & Scripture, Reflections
They sit around. There is urgency in the air. This simple meal could end badly at any moment. It’s that kind of tension. It’s that close to disruption. On Maundy Thursday the situation is very fluid. Water washes feet. Humble sign of service. And there is...
