St. Ignatius invited his followers to reflect over their day and ask God where He was at work. 

A beginner's guide as well as an examen recording so you can just "push play" and I'll lead you through.

Interested in learning more about the Presence Project? Start here: https://bio.site/summerjoygross

We want to blame, shame, control, or escape the hard, but maybe if we linger and get curious, it can be the gateway to transformation.

In this episode, a surprising twist on the flowing River of Life from one of our members became the invitation we needed to be compassionate with slow growth.

**Want more joy in your life? We're learning to deepen our joy with these three practices from the free Joy and Resilience workbook here: https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/joy

Part 2 in a conversation with Nicole Zasowski, author of What if it's Wonderful? 

She shares her story of infertility and then we talk about how we can experience joy when there's an underlying story of suffering. She teaches us how the simple genius practice of savoring can rewire our brain.

Then, finally, she leads us in a practice where we ask the question, "Where is God in the midst of our sorrow and where is He in the midst of our celebration?"

Why is staying joy-full so dang hard? The answer WILL surprise you and of course, it's revealed in brain science.

This is the first of two podcast episodes with Nicole Zasowski, author of What if It's Wonderful?: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, & Find the Courage to Celebrate.

August’s theme over here on The Presence Project is Joy and Resilience.

Why is it that we so easily forget the tables God has set in the wilderness? Instead of staying in a place of celebration after the abundance of connection or the kindness of answered prayer, we shift right back into lack. Our brains slide to scarcity like a car out of alignment.

Deepen your understanding of your brain's capacity for joy here: https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/joy

How do we live the unforced rhythms of grace? We say "yes" to the spaciousness of God's good limits and "no" to a life of hustle and hurry.

Don't miss this conversation with Ashley Hales or an invitation to walk through Lent with her:  Walking at a Human Pace. aahales.com/shop/walking

Encounter the Good Shepherd with this Ignatian Contemplation.

Are you wanting more? Join the Presence Project and get a mini-retreat based on contemplative spiritual practices here: https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/mini-retreat

Before we burst into this new year armed with color-coded goal charts and shouldering the weight of a personal-reno project, let’s be gentle with ourselves. 

Let’s sit down on the seam of the year and remember who and Whose we are. 

Want to read along?

Find the transcript at SummerJoyGross.com

The way a shepherd tends the bummer lambs who have been abandoned by their mothers deepen our view of our Shepherd. This is your invitation

In the Presence Project, we're focusing on the character of God through the scriptures and music of Handel's Messiah this Advent. In the end of a hard year, I'm regaining my equilibrium through worship. Join me?

https://mailchi.mp/athirstforgod.com/messiahadvent

Music from the MIT concert choir found here:

 http://hebb.mit.edu/FreeMusic/MIT_Music/Handel/

Join the 16 day Advent Journey here.

Maybe you're like me and you feel the darkness pressing in this year. This Advent I want to spend all of my time gazing on the light of Christ.

Captivated. Worshipping.

Together, let's become captivated by our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Handel's Messiah along with these quiet devotionals are just what we need after 2020 to bring our gaze back to our Prince of Peace.