Through the Waters
About this blog
Through the Waters is the blog of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Christian vocation ministries. Because the ministry of Christian vocation affirms the need for all baptized Christians – including Presbyterians - to identify and claim their call to discipleship in each decision and life choice, this blog is designed to serve as a resource for youth and young adults, as well as those in ministry with them, to assist the Holy Spirit in God’s movement in this journey through the waters. Take some time to read and think about your own responses to the questions posed here. For additional resources, we suggest that you visit our website.
Recent posts
- Journey to the Cross
- Living in the Light
- Living Thanks
- Footprints in Our Lives
- Growing Older, Growing Wiser
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Journey to the Cross
The Lenten journey begins today with Ash Wednesday. While many Christians give something up during these six weeks before Easter, you might, instead, consider adding something to your daily routine. The season of lent can be a time of deeper reflection.
www.d365.org is an online devotional that offers scripture, music, prayer, and short reflections that may serve as a way to add to your daily moments with God – the Journey to the Cross. Throughout Lent, the themes for each week will be drawn from the texts themselves and will reflect the Christian sojourn of self-examination during the Lenten season. As you read each day's devotion, consider your own response to scripture; how is God speaking to you today? Allow the writer's words and the music to serve as a background for your own conversation with God.
January 3, 2013
Living in the Light
On the last day of the winter vacation from school, I took my children to see the movie “Rise of the Guardians.” I admit that I was partially trying to avoid more sibling in-fighting and the raised voices that seem to come toward the end of a lack-of-routine schedule. I envisioned a feel-good children’s movie during which I wouldn’t have to think. Besides the remarkable animation which still amazes me as a far cry from the Looney Tunes cartoons of my childhood, I actually thought a lot in that movie. There was, and still is, a great deal ...
November 14, 2012
Living Thanks
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I’ve begun thinking back on some the rituals our family has experienced as we seek to fill the day with true giving of thanks. While the day has always included a parade, some football, and an unusually large meal, the aspect of demonstrating our thankfulness has taken several different forms. One of the favorites was a gathering of friends and family during the time that our youngest daughter was a fan of the TV show, “Blue’s Clues”. On the episode that focused around the holiday, Steve drew around his hand and offered thanks for ...
November 1, 2012
Footprints in Our Lives
In our congregation’s worship service last Sunday a bell rang out at the mention of each church member who had died in the past year. While it was difficult for some who remember better days with these loved ones, it gave each of us another chance to say prayers of thanks for the faithful lives they had led.
Such is All Saints Day, November 1.
When many of us think of saints we might conjure up images of holy-looking martyrs who lived long ago and have cathedrals named after them. And while these people are thought of as saints ...
October 22, 2012
Growing Older, Growing Wiser
As a child I remembered being able to spot those adults who still claimed pieces of childhood. They were the ones I wanted to spend time with because they hadn’t seemed to have lost the joy. They sat on the floor, jumped at the chance to play a board game, and just seemed to enjoy the simple things. In my view, they hadn’t totally given into the pressures of adulthood, or at least, they could still move seamlessly into the delight of their younger lives. As I headed toward adulthood, I was determined to be one of those ...
September 21, 2012
Holy Listening
I was recently asked to be prepared to share my favorite Scripture passage at a gathering. This seemingly small assignment really got me thinking. How was I to select a “favorite?” Since childhood, the Bible has been an important part of my life and there are various passages that hold different significance to me. A favorite one day may not speak to me as much the next week.
I tend to gravitate to the narratives of Scripture; the stories of God’s movement in the lives of individuals and communities. The minute details have never been as important to me ...
September 7, 2012
Facing the Tightrope
Because our schools begin on the day after Labor Day each year, we have started using the previous weekend as our “last hurrah.” We get an opportunity to do a few things that are out of the ordinary. This year that included spending part of a day at the zoo. Since we’d been there last a zip line and ropes course had been added to the property. Our children who practically grew up at the zoo were thrilled with the new additions for their age group.
Just past a variety of birds we approached the zip line. Visitors had ...
August 24, 2012
Finding Home
This week I went to my first professional baseball game of the season. Obviously, I’m not a huge baseball fan but I do enjoy the games. I can pretty much follow the game even without knowing all of the specifics and I love watching the fans. There certainly are diehard baseball fanatics who take the game seriously!
Because this particular game occurred at almost exactly a year from the time that our family moved back to the part of the country in which I grew up, I was struck in a new way by the whole object of the ...
August 9, 2012
Sabbath
While I’m more of a cool, breezy weather mountain person, my annual trips to the Lake Michigan beach with family are always a highlight. The cottage we began renting a few years ago has access to a pool, a lake and “the” lake. It’s the ultimate in relaxation with rocking chairs on the front porch and close access to a quaint ice cream store. We spend hours by the pool, on the beach, playing games, and biking to our destinations. It’s amazing how, having been back from this vacation a few days now, I realize how my ...
July 12, 2012
Me, Myself, and I... and God and God's People
Last week at the PC(USA)’s 220th General Assembly I was given a great gift by being able to interview various participants about their encounters with God’s presence. I’m still a bit awe-struck just as I have been each time I have had this opportunity.
The people I interviewed were from different backgrounds and had very different experiences. On the outset, it appeared the one common denominator was their denomination (we were at GA after all). The stories, though, reflected another theme. While experiences with God began in a variety of ways, there wasn’t a ...