Jen Manglos

Tag: Spiritual Formation

  • Nectarine

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    Jen Manglos
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    Nectarine This is a nectarine to remember. Sweet, juicy, and perfectly ripe. Each year I look forward to summer and the promise of all its delectable fruits – especially the promise of nectarines. The less hairy sibling of the peach (and if it wasn’t for the fuzz, I would love peaches), it is one of…

  • Swept into the Eye of the Storm

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    Jen Manglos
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    Tornadoes always fascinated me when I was a child.  I mean, they scared me, but I also found the idea of them somewhat exciting.  Growing up in Southern California, the unpredictability of earthquakes instilled a deep fear of when the next one would hit.  Somehow, tornadoes seemed less scary.  At least there was an alarm…

  • Just Keep Swimming

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    Jen Manglos
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    Sometimes the simplest truths are the deepest ones.  Tonight I’m facilitating a retreat on Journaling and I mentioned how easy it is to give up once we miss a day or two (or twelve) of journaling.  In those moments, it’s incredibly easy to give up and fall into guilt and shame.  In fact, that often…

  • Thoughts from Q Nashville.

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    Jen Manglos
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    Another Q is finished and I am exhausted. It was a very different experience this year, yet it was exactly what it needed to be. Last year, the rhythm and content of Q felt so new and exciting. This year, the sheen had worn off a bit. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good…

  • Battling Narratives

    Battling Narratives

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    Jen Manglos
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    I was amazed this week to discover a connection between two seemingly opposite films: Groundhog Day and Enchanted April. I know.  But hear me out. Lately I’ve noticed how often I see my life through a certain lens.  In that lens I am playing out the same stories over and over.  I feel stuck in…

  • Why Peter?

    Why Peter?

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    Jen Manglos
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    Earlier this week I was watching a film about Jesus.  As I watched I was struck, in a new way, by Peter’s journey.  Peter is usually pegged as zealous, and rightly so.  There is a fierceness in him.  He is always ready with a stark statements (i.e. “You are the son of God”) and is…

  • Hey, Your Weakness is Showing

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    Jen Manglos
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    “The American Dream is to live in our strength; God’s dream is that we live in our weakness.” I read these words this morning.  And oh boy, didn’t they strike true?  The truth that most days I want to live out of strength, when the invitation is to be weak.  Then weakness breaks down the…

  • He Wasn’t Joking

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    Jen Manglos
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    I finished 2013 by reflecting on the year – giving thanks for the joyous moments, crying over hopes disappointed, and prayerfully looking forward.  As I looked forward I sensed God was calling me into a season of learning freedom in circumstances.  When troubles strike, I often find that I struggle with doubt.  Some days I…

  • The Novelty Has Worn Off – December 12, 2013

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    Jen Manglos
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    I’m tired of writing about being single. When I first started blogging, I was full of ideas of posts on the single life – both silly and serious. Now, the novelty has worn off. The thought of writing about singleness or dating feels more like a chore. I feel stuck when it comes to dating.…

  • Go? – November 7, 2013

    Go? – November 7, 2013

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    Jen Manglos
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    Some days I really hate being friends with spiritual directors. I mean, I appreciate the deeper conversations about life and relationships and God. But then there are the times when these spiritual director friends ask those good questions. You know, the questions that stop you in your tracks. The questions you don’t quite have an…