Week One: WonderAdvent Blog Series featuring the Women of Cohort 8The first Sunday in December marks the beginning of Advent, a season of expectant waiting and preparation of the coming Messiah. Our culture characterizes the season with carols, gift giving, and cheer. But, what many of us [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Prayers from the Holy Land
This week’s blog contains images from Lisa Rodriguez-Watson’s recent trip to the Holy Land. These images were taken in Bethlehem on the separation wall between the West Bank and Israel. As we observe Holy Week, these images and corresponding prayers can serve as reminder of the purpose of the cross [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hope
Spring - she’s the audacious, extravagant sister of all the seasons. Breaking through death, she burgeons in both vibrant and pastel hues, and her flowers emanate abundant fragrance. The sights, the smells and even the sounds of Spring can seem an exaggeration after the long darkness of [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Hospitality
Can you think of a time when you received hospitality from someone? Maybe it was an expression of kindness, a welcoming embrace, a warm meal, or a listening ear. Perhaps it took the form of someone who supported you when you didn’t feel you deserved it, or a new friend in an unfamiliar place. Take a [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Silence
Silence can be an uncomfortable experience. It might feel awkward in a group setting. It can indicate tension in a relationship. However, silence can also be healthy - even necessary. Lent, a 40 day period of fasting and repentance, offers us an opportunity to practice silence and listening as [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Humility
Humility can seem like such a paradox: we are expected to give our best, while practicing freedom from praising ourselves. This can seem like an elusive task at times, especially in our American culture of self reliance and competition for perfection. It is difficult to detach from social media, to [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Self Examination
Life’s distractions have a way of steering us away from our true selves as intended by Christ. In our non-stop culture we desperately need Lent, a season meant to reset our perspectives and practices. Even when busy-ness binds our souls, Lent positions us to pause and reflect upon Christ’s work and [...]Read More
Lenten Immerse: Lament
Over the course of the next 6 weeks of Lent, CCDA is inviting you into a Lenten journey. Each week we will suggest a new spiritual discipline for you, your small group, or church to practice. Excerpts from our Immerse online curriculum will be highlighted to prompt your thoughts and lead [...]Read More