Colleen R Jantzen: Recent Episodes
Colleen R. Jantzen
Thinking about polarization and individualization and algorithms and you and me and the loss of we
I've been thinking a lot about the way blame and shame is so deeply embedded in our language and this is a little poem about that. Peace and grace to you on your way today.
If you are living without the one you never thought you could/would/should I am praying for you. I am praying for you.
Healing and forgiveness are rarely (never?) a one and done thing. I'm thinking of you and praying for you on your way today. May you know his grace and peace for this hard road.
Something I was a part of recently brought home to me the grim reality that when position becomes more important than posture, some get left out. The very precious in His sight, those He deeply loves ones. Everyone matters. Everyone.
This little guy strengthened me today. May his single-minded courage hearten you on your way and silence all those naysayers (within and without:)
If you've been living on a diet of doom scrolling then this one's for you. Peace and grace to you from Jesus on your way today. Praying for you.
Hey Ho. I hope you've been well. I've been away for a bit, doing some editing on a personal project and some for others too. Getting back at it (and loving it). Hope you enjoy Man in the Moon:) . Peace and grace on your way today. Warmly, Colleen
I know that Magpies are not everyone's favourite, but I just can't help but love them. Here's to you little Magpie!
Charlatans present in so many ways. People, Products, Ideas. Praying for me, praying for you today. May His wisdom guide you in everything.
I read this verse recently in the King James version and got to rhyming so couldn't help but draw some parallels.
Praying for me and you as we discern His good way
Learning to walk (again and again) in the unforced rythyms of grace. (My blood pressure thanks me:). How 'bout you?
It is such a privilege and a wonder to see an animal. Up close. Personal. One of my favourite things.
I've watched the geese around the lakes close to where I live for years now. Yesterday was a strange day.
Today as I was driving about, feeling cranky at the annoying errands and their potential failure. I checked myself and took a moment and breathed in the Holy Spirit before I got out of the car. It made all the difference. Peace and grace to you on your way today.
I find tremendous solace and comfort in paying attention to the created natural world. Maybe you do to.
Even though we have a home we often have another home we long for. Mine is that particular stretch of praire between Saskatoon and Hanley Saskatchewan.
If you are a mom I'm thinking of you and praying for you in a particular way this weekend. Be at peace. He knows. He understands.
If you are in a lonely lenten place today. I am praying for you. Peace and grace to you on your way.
Broken or forgotten or lost relationships are one of the great regrets of my life. How about you? I'm praying for me, I'm praying for you peace and grace to you on your way today.
Thinking of you. Thinking of me. Thinking of Lent. Peace and grace to you from Jesus on your way today.
On days like today my thoughts are invariably drawn to relationships in my life that are broken, neglected or forgotten. This is my love letter to those. Peace and love to you today from Jesus, who loves us all perfectly.
If you are, like me, in a long season of lament, searching for the peaceable kingdom, a different kind of kingdom. He sees you. He hears your cry.
Anyone else making poor choices these days? Looking to cheap facscimiles instead of Jesus for comfort and rest? Grace and peace to you, healing and hope on your way today.
In these days I have (too often probably) been medicating myself with video streaming. How 'bout you? How are you?
I've been thinking about forgiveness and how easy it can be but also how very hard. Praying for you, may He grace you and grace me with the strength to forgive. Completely. It's the pathway to freedom and joy.
It's not a popular view, but I've always loved Magpies for their tenacity, annoying chatter and striking plummage. They are a hard bird to ignore!
Sometimes what I see out there just doesn't pass the smell test for me. May His love, His grace, His peace and His way be our compass and anchor in whatever difficulty we find ourselves in. Peace and grace to you on your way today.
There is nothing like the natural world to call my attention to God and His majesty and the wonder of Him. May He fill you with hope and peace today.
'See you in the funny papers' is my favourite way to say good bye to the littles in my life because it speaks of joy and laughter and being together in some common and good, joy-filled place I'm looking forward to that place today. Praying for you
He loves you. He is for you. He sees you. He knows you. Perfectly. Praying for you today. Rest awhile with Him.
This won't be a poem for everyone. But if it's for you. I'm praying for you. Peace and grade to you from Jesus on your way today.
Broken places are the hardest saddest thing. Praying for you. Praying for me. Come Lord Jesus Come.
I first came upon the word defenestration in my undergrad degree in a history class learning about the Defenestrations of Prague. It's a word that stuck with me because it's so wonderfully dramatic! But, there are precious few times a person can actually use it in a sentence. I hope you enjoy this expression of it's sentiment.
In these days, many of us are finding that our familiar places and spaces no longer fit, they're no longer places where we thrive. This little piece talks about that. If you are in a time of transition and you find yourself being transplanted. 'm praying for you. Peace and grace to you on your way today.
I wake
To a symphony of rain
Masterfully played by earth and sky
Thank you Creator
And the parched ground
Rendered deaf from too long without music
Gratefully drinks in the sound
In walking with Lucy (our dog) I'm learning to slow down. To meander. To go at her pace and allow her to sniff sniff sniff to her heart's content. This simple practice has opened up a new world to me and I'm noticing things....like dragonflies.
On this Canada Day 2021 my heart holds both deep gratitude and deep sorrow. Peace and grace to you on your way. Warmly, Colleen
Listening. Learning. Repentance. Sorrow. Are essential first steps for settler peoples like me in responding to our Canadian Genocide.
http://www.trc.ca/assets/pdf/Survivors_Speak_English_Web.pdf
http://trc.ca/assets/pdf/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
Shine the light on this terrible darkness in our country. Release the records. Find the children. All of them.
This past weekend Jesus did some really lovely things for me. May He surround you and fill you too with His grace, love, healing and compassion.
Are you in a waiting place? This might be for you. Peace and grace, strength and courage from Jesus on your way today.
When your soul sighs with the judgements of others it's helpful to remember who really are. Shout out to Maverick City Music for their great song Man of Your Word and it's great lyric: "I am who you say I am" Peace and grace to you from Jesus on your way today.
Lifting my eyes up today and wondering if there is more going on than we're able to discern with our limited view.
Sometimes it's good to dial into the natural world and dial away from the constructed one to gain hope and perspective.
I wrote this in the fall of 2013. In June of that year our community was devastated by flood waters and we were all deeply impacted by that traumatic event. I'm currently going back and editing old work and It seemed appropriate to revisit the thoughts I had then, today. The peace and grace of Jesus to you on your way.
Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV) He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Sometimes I use the word of the day from Merriam Webster's online dictionary to guide my writing.
I often go to the scriptures for personal help and for writing inspiration. These days I'm benefiting from the rich language in the passion translation. If your heart (like mine) has been shattered by.....(you fill in the blank)....this might be for you.
This is for anyone who is missing someone they love.
Please do insert the name of your own precious one at the end.
Peace and grace to you on your way.
Colleen
When I'm out in the garden, I'm often struck by how dead things seem in the Spring, yet they're not. They're really not.
That thing that happens when you get a text from someone you'd maybe rather you didn't hear from again