Welcome to this blog about living as apprentices of Jesus!
One of Karen's favorite quotes is: "Whatever job we get and whatever task we are assigned can serve as a container for grace" (Eugene Peterson in "Practical Resurrection"). We pray that the words and sentences on this blog may also serve as "containers of grace" for its readers.
Joy and Karen
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Category Archives: Karen’s journey
Sundown – By Guest Blogger, Coral Swieringa
A journey can be an actual trip or it can be a pathway to spiritual or emotional growth. It can describe the change of a relationship, the sharing or ending of a marriage, the details of a career, the recognition … Continue reading
Posted in Guest Bloggers, Karen's journey
Tagged Alzheimer's disease, healing prayer, long-term care
6 Comments
Spiritual Direction
Words tumble unbidden as I share this gray Novembery sliver of sadness rooted in my absence from the Church. He knows me so well; kind eyes gaze kindly into my pain. “You are a prophet,” he says with rare firmness. “Prophets can’t live … Continue reading
Posted in Karen's journey, Living as Apprentices
Tagged prophets, spiritual direction, the Church
1 Comment
An Easy Blessing
We were sitting in the blazing sun at my largely unsuccessful yard sale when she talked about how hard it is to get motivated to make the changes we need to make, particularly as we get older – and older. … Continue reading
Remembering My Father on Memorial Day
This post from the livingasapprentices archives is re-posted in honor of Memorial Day. Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent … Continue reading
Posted in Karen's journey
Tagged chaplain, Memorial Day, unshakable kingdom, World War II
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Finding our Rhythm
Last year, I was looking for blank monthly pages for my planner. I found a package, and noticed that they had Monday as the first day of the week. This caused an existential moment in the aisle while I grappled … Continue reading
Posted in Karen's journey
Tagged balance, circadian rhythm, spirtual formation
Comments Off on Finding our Rhythm
Spring Cleaning Lesson
Since I have much less energy than I did even a year ago, I am no longer up for a “Dutch spring cleaning.” However, since I am still Dutch and still have the cleanliness value in my genes, I still … Continue reading
Posted in Karen's journey
Tagged downsizing, simplicity, tiny houses, uncluttering the soul
4 Comments
The Blue Window
The room where I get my weekly chemotherapy injections boasts more than a dozen comfy recliners in shades of beige or in a brown print. Some days all the chairs are full of people of all shapes, ages, and colors. … Continue reading
Living as Apprentices 