Addiction and Faith

As The Next Door delivers its addiction treatment services, it does so with faith being at the heart. “Everything we do, from staff meetings to client care, upholds a Christ-centered focus,” says Ray Brocato, the CEO of The Next Door.  “Our goal is to meet the women’s spiritual needs as well as their physical and […]

Do You Believe in Miracles?

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, broadcaster Al Michaels uttered these memorable words as the final seconds ticked off the clock during the medal round of the men’s ice hockey tournament. This game between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. would determine […]

Monday Meditation: Healing

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney As a child, I was fascinated by the story of the four men who carried their paralyzed friend on a mat to Jesus because they believed that Jesus could heal him. Since a large crowd had gathered to hear Jesus that day, when the friends arrived at the house […]

Alcohol Awareness Month: Withdrawal

– Written by Vanderbilt School of Nursing Students The Positive Effects of Quitting Alcohol   Stopping and reducing your alcohol use has many positive effects on your body. This includes lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, and reducing your risk for heart failure and cancer. Quitting alcohol significantly increases life expectancy. Once you stop using alcohol, your […]

Monday Meditation: Easter Sunday and Trauma

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney Although we tend to focus on rejoicing on Easter Sunday, the gospel narratives remind us that the first Easter Sunday was the culmination of three days of trauma, and trauma doesn’t simply evaporate. Three days prior to the discovery of the empty tomb, Jesus’ partners in ministry scattered in […]

Monday Meditation: Do You See This Woman?

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney As The Next Door focuses on the core value of respect throughout 2021, we can turn to the Gospels and look to Jesus for inspiration. A story from Luke’s Gospel seems particularly relevant. A religious leader had invited Jesus to be his honored guest for dinner. The meal was […]

Monday Meditation: A New Look at Psalm 23

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney At least once a month, I lead a Spirituality in Recovery group focused on Psalm 23, perhaps the most famous of the 150 psalms included in Scripture. This psalm is frequently read aloud at funeral services because of this line: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow […]

Monday Meditation: The Beatitudes

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney When Jesus sat down on a mountainside overlooking the Sea of Galilee to deliver what would come to be known as “The Sermon on the Mount,” I imagine that the women and men and children who gathered around him leaned forward, straining to hear his provocative words. The opening […]

When I Grow Up

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney    During the pandemic, my extended family has gathered weekly via Zoom to stay in touch. With participants ranging in age from 7 months to 81 years, these experiences have been memorable and life-giving for us. One feature of these virtual gatherings is a trivia game, and if a […]

Monday Meditation: Fourth Week of Advent

– Written by Rev. Tambi Swiney The week of Christmas has arrived. As the days of Advent dwindle, our thoughts turn to love – the final theological theme of this holy season of spiritual preparation. “Love” is a word we use frequently in conversation, but often in a way that diminishes its meaning. For instance, […]

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