remcmahan

Fissures and Light

I belong to a group called “The Holy Disorder of Dancing Monks,” a title that resonates with me because it breaks the mold of how the world sees “religion.” The people in this group are artists: writers, poets, painters, dancers, sculptors, songwriters, and more—anyone willing to embrace creativity–and we delight in letting THE Creator outContinueContinue reading “Fissures and Light”

Turning toward Love

For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works. Psalm 139: 13-14 “If you never make a mistake, you’re probably not a very good engineer.” That quotation is attributed to my husband’s formerContinueContinue reading “Turning toward Love”

Reflection

“The power of God is present at all places, even in the tiniest tree leaf. Do you think God is sleeping on a pillow in heaven? . . . God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, behind you and before you. God’s entire divine nature is wholly and entirely in all creatures,ContinueContinue reading “Reflection”

Returning

Metanoia is a Greek word we Christians hear much about, especially during the Lenten Season when our focus is intentionally on the journey which Christ took and on how faithfully we are following. The word itself basically means a change of direction, turning around, or turning back towards, and so we look for places inContinueContinue reading “Returning”

Enjoy

As I contemplated moving from ashes to hope during this yearly transition between winter and spring, and giving to instead of giving up for Lent, I noticed this sign during a recent beach visit, and it struck me with its mixed message. Do not take your dog to the beach. Do not sleep on theContinueContinue reading “Enjoy”

Ash Wednesday During a Pandemic

And we are put on earth a little spaceThat we might learn to bear the beams of love. William Blake No matter where we have lived this past year, we all have one experience in common: the pandemic. We all know how it feels to have our personal freedom and choices and pleasures denied asContinueContinue reading “Ash Wednesday During a Pandemic”

Lent 2021: From Ashes to Hope

Honesty alert! It would be a challenge for me to try to write a Lenten blog from anything other than a Christian perspective, since I have been a Christian my entire life. Yet my hope is that this blog will resonate with anyone who has felt like it is time to rise from the ashesContinueContinue reading “Lent 2021: From Ashes to Hope”

Groundhog Day Prayers

February 2, 2021 If you watched Bill Murray in the movie Groundhog Day in 1993 (can it really be that long ago?), then you know the premise—Murray’s character, Phil, awakens to the same day again and again and again. That is how my prayer life–not to mention my actual life–has felt during these long monthsContinueContinue reading “Groundhog Day Prayers”

Asking for Guides

Stand at the crossroads and look; and ask for the ancient paths where the good ways lies and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. Jer. 6:16 I enrolled in an online course this past fall that explored the interplay between contemplative practices, such as meditation and prayer, and the creative arts. WeContinueContinue reading “Asking for Guides”

Thoughts on the 2021 Presidential Inauguration

Yesterday, Inauguration Day here in the States, was, for me, a great release. I felt I was able to let go a burden of fear and anxiety and disbelief and confusion and hurt that I have been shouldering for the last four years. I recognize that many, many others feel very differently, and my heart holdsContinueContinue reading “Thoughts on the 2021 Presidential Inauguration”