Did you know April 23 is World Book Day? The national celebration of reading and of books is run by The Reading Agency, a national charity that inspires people to become confident and enthusiastic readers. April 23, 1564, is the day English poet, playwright William Shakespeare was born. Fifty-three short years later, also on April 23, 1616, the playwright died. For this reason, among others, it was a natural choice for UNESCO to create World Book Day to pay a world-wide tribute to books and authors on this day. So what books have you been reading lately? Here are a few I have completed and one on order that I hear great things about and can’t wait to read. Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary was a wonderful read. I usually don’t read fiction, but this one was inspiring, funny, and a delight to read. I now want to see the movie too. The Book of Longings by Susan Monk Kidd. What if Jesus had a wife? This book explores a possibly story about this. This gave me new … [Read more...]
Inspiration from a Favorite Movie and the Artemis II Space Launch
On our flight to Norway, I rewatched one of my favorite movies – Contact starting Jodi Foster. This movie has such a deep spirituality side that many people miss. Not just in the obvious story but often hidden in some of the lines spoken by the characters. Here are a few of the inspirational ones that I have pondered and held deeply within my soul: The following movie quote seemed appropriate for Easter season and when I heard it again caused me to look up and capture these bits of wisdom from this movie. We will find life when we seek the One who gave his life for us. I heard the essence of that quote above repeated this past week when the Artemis II spaceship launched. As we waited nervously through the countdown, I keep thinking about the Columbia disaster and those lost lives. I watched an interview of one of the current astronauts who said in my paraphrase: “Yes, this flight is risky. It takes courage and curiosity to go into space. But we are all part of … [Read more...]
A Delightful Mistake
I love to travel. I love to be home too. The comfort of routine. The adventure of seeing the world and gaining new perspectives. This year though I made a mistake, a delightful one, that involved our travels. We booked a long overdue bucket list trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights for March. Then for April we booked a baseball trip (my hubby loves baseball and we have been to all the parks!) to see the newly renovated Tampa Bay stadium and a trip to Miami to watch our beloved, though not always winning, Cincinnati Reds play. Great idea. Confirmed on two different pages of the calendar. The mistake? The trip ended up less than a week apart and that week in-between was busy, extra worship services, Holy Week. YIKES! How will I catch my breath, find the energy, and remember to savor and enjoy the present with this crazy booking back-to-back? I reached into the vault of past blog posts and found a post I wrote in 2014 – 4 and ½ reasons why I love to travel. … [Read more...]
Entering the Sanctuary of Holy Week
We enter the sanctuary, the sacredness of Holy Week. I take the step over the threshold into God’s story. Ahh, take that deep breath and pause in God’s wonder and love. My hubby and I have been traveling and have another quick trip coming soon. What a blessing but (why do those “buts” always stop us?) - fatigue, travel hassles, and busyness take over my soul in this week of a multitude of worship services and commitments all jammed into 6 days. I am tired, feel scattered, and to be honest, I am missing God. Not the way I really want to live and to be honest I don’t think the way God wants us to live either. I cling to my self-centeredness instead of dwelling in Christ-centeredness. I am distracted instead of focusing on the sacrifice and love of and in God. My word of the year is “way” and one way I am leaning into this word is to listen. So I put down my pen, close my laptop, step away from the to-do list and sit still in my prayer corner. I close my eyes, … [Read more...]
Disarming our Language – A Lenten Practice
Are you ever shocked when you hear yourself say something that comes out of your mouth totally different from what you really meant to say? Or get caught up with negative internal self-talk with words that you wouldn’t say to another person yet somehow mentioned to your own soul frequently? I read the phrase last week – disarming our language. Pope Leo spoke about the practice of abstaining in Lent: “… from words that offend and hurt our neighbor. Let us begin by disarming our language, avoiding harsh words and rash judgement, refraining from slander and speaking ill of those who are not present and cannot defend themselves. Instead, let us strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities.” Later I read what Adam Bucko wrote in his Substack article: “join me this Lent in “laying down our arms”, in ending the war within us … [Read more...]
Using Questions in Journal Writing
Questions are a powerful tool for spiritual growth and practices. I have found writing out the questions that are stirring in my heart in my journal has helped me grow, find direction and sometimes even healing in staying with the unknowns. The very act of finding the words to describe my questions brings clarity and often peace. Articulating these questions is helpful and at times I discover I am asking the wrong question. I sit quietly, holding these questions lightly and open up to God for his light and insight. We are in times of uncertainty and many unknowns. Our human instinct is to rush to finding answers out of fear and insecurity. Thinking of our crazy and chaotic reality reminded me of one of my favorite quotes. Rainer Maria Rilke wrote this in his book, Letters to a Young Poet: “I want to beg you, as much as I can, dear sir, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are … [Read more...]
Playing with My Word of the Year
I do love words and playing with words often brings joy, insights, and surprises. Words are tools for writers yet so much more. I see words as friends, teachers, and fellow travelers on my journey in life. My word of the year is WAY. Instead of seriously studying this word and seeking stoic wisdom (which will come in many forms) I asked this word - What delights do you hold? Yay Way! When I introduce WAY as my word of the year Barb Hergeburg left this comment: “When I first read your words, I thought you had chosen “yay”. Can you imagine what a journey that would be?” Yay way - doesn’t that lighten up a word? It’s like putting WAY in gigantic neon lights. We celebrate its existence in our life. When these two words combine, the height and power of WAY amplifies. Yay way makes me smile. No Way Jose! No way, Jose means ‘absolutely not!’ This expression originated around the 1960s. The exact origin is unclear. However, it likely became popular simply … [Read more...]
Breath Prayers – a Lenten Practice
This season of Lent I have been intentionally slowing down and listening to God. The use of breath prayers has helped me in this practice. Breath prayers are short prayers said in one breath. Simple, repetitive and surprisingly ancient. The breath prayer generally involves quietly repeating a chosen phrase for several minutes, allowing the prayer to take on the shape of one’s breathing so that the words accompany every breath. Examples of common breath prayers are “In you, Lord, I put my trust,” “Help me understand your ways, Lord,” “Lord I am yours,” “ I am, God’s Beloved,” and “My Lord and my God.” The idea is to pick a meaningful phrase and repeat it until it becomes a part of your being. Perhaps the most famous breath prayer is the Jesus Prayer. This prayer goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ” (while breathing in), “have mercy on me, a sinner” (while breathing out). This is done repeatedly until all is stilled within your heart. I am rereading the classic, The Way of a … [Read more...]