Each year I make goals for myself and my family. Goals help me stay focused, grow and improve, and live the kind of life I want to live. For a long time, I’ve used the SMART model of goal development – specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound. Using this model helps me develop goals that might…CurrentlyContinue reading “Automating my Schedule with Google Calendar”
Category Archives: Me
Longing
This year, I’m using the Present Over Perfect Guided Journal. I read Shauna Neiquist’s Present Over Perfect book when it came out a few years ago and so much of it just connected with me. When I saw she had created a journal, I knew it was right for this season of my life. TheContinue reading “Longing”
Staying Organized with Theme Days
“I don’t know how you do it all.” I hear that phrase a lot. There are various answers I give. “I don’t either.” “I choose to let many things go.” “God just wired me that way.” All those answers are true. Some days I DON’T know how I manage a busy family and career. IContinue reading “Staying Organized with Theme Days”
Book Review: Simplify the Message
Even though I’m not preaching every Sunday, I still want to improve my preaching skills. As I guest preach, I have the perfect opportunity to hone a message, try new things, and gauge how different approaches with the same scripture are received. A couple of years ago, I attended a preaching workshop with colleague TalbotContinue reading “Book Review: Simplify the Message”
2 Years of Lent
It has been two years since this COVIC-19 pandemic began. At the time, I was pastoring a local church and we were in the middle of the season of Lent. In many Christian traditions, Lent is the 40 day (plus Sundays) period before Easter. It is a time of reflection, confession, and a focus onContinue reading “2 Years of Lent”
Book Review: A Spirituality of Fundraising
In short, how do we move from perceiving fundraising as an unpleasant but unavoidable activity to recognizing fundraising as a life-giving, hope-filled expression of ministry? A Spirituality of Fundraising, pg. 55 That is the question A Spirituality of Fundraising attempts to answer. Although not originally written down, the transcript of an impromptu talk on fundraisingContinue reading “Book Review: A Spirituality of Fundraising”
Book Review: Life Together
Sometimes I pick up books from random places and don’t even remember picking the books up. Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of those books. I’m sure it was the author’s name that caught my eye. An important theologian with quite a story, it seems odd that I haven’t read any of his writings.Continue reading “Book Review: Life Together”
Ideas for Taking Your Own Retreat
Recently, I was able to get away for a personal weekend retreat. For some, it seems like such a luxury (and I fully recognize that it is). Especially when you have small children, or are a single parent, the thought of spending 2 nights alone, in a quiet place seems like an unattainable dream. IContinue reading “Ideas for Taking Your Own Retreat”
Walking While I’m Waiting
We are a busy family and we are on the go a LOT! Since the youngest 5 aren’t driving yet, that means that I am driving from here to there and everywhere. I spend a lot of time in the car. Since I also have a more sedentary job, I spend a lot of timeContinue reading “Walking While I’m Waiting”
My Winter Retreat
Last weekend, I had a chance to getaway for a couple of nights. There is a little place in the mountains that I have come to love. The Awakenings Center for Inner Healing and Empowerment is a non-profit retreat and healing center, with a main log cabin, garden, walking trails, and acres of woods. DeborahContinue reading “My Winter Retreat”
Rev. Kris Mares 