Intense. Crazy. Simultaneous life-draining and life-giving work. This is my life right now. God has called me to be a writer. I also know his calling to work as a Deacon and spiritual director. Both missions are in a season of intense deadlines and demands right now. Yet I feel God’s peace, strength, and accompaniment through this turmoil. Much of my time currently involves a major rewrite (the best writing is rewriting) of my book manuscript due in mid-October while at the same time, the pastor I work with is on sabbatical and I am covering for her until she returns about the same date as my book deadline. Yet I feel God’s peace, strength, and accompaniment. Why is this time different from previous times of upheaval in my life? Self-care and soul-care. I stumbled to standing firmly on these two fundamentals without much forethought. I knew this time was coming, was limited, and would require my best physical, mental, and spiritual self. And I am … [Read more...]
Anticipatory Anxiety
“Anticipatory anxiety. I think you are drowning in anticipatory anxiety.” A good friend said this to me several months ago and I can’t seem to get that phrase out of my head – anticipatory anxiety. The more I ponder, read, and pray about this, the more I think she is right. Anticipatory anxiety is the fear, dread, worry you experience before something happens. The “What if” type of thinking. The expecting the worse. The overwhelming emotions of failure before the event even started. Trepidation trembling in my toes through my tummy and trapped in my throat. The day my friend shared her observation with me I was anxious for a zoom meeting with an editor about my book manuscript. I was sure to end up a failure when the opposite occurred. The meeting finished with a clear plan of action and the feeling that I could get this done. I had been wrong, very wrong, about what was to happen. I have experienced anticipatory anxiety before going to out … [Read more...]
Reading Roundup
A reading roundup is a collection of articles and posts one person reads, finds interesting, and then shares with another. On a ranch, they “roundup” or gather scattered animals into one place. A writer discovers and compile items of interest then publishes them together. Imagine you and I meet in the local coffee shop. Of course, I sip on the flavored brew of the day. Go ahead and have tea or whatever you fancy. I might say to you: “I read the most fascinating article the other day about…” “Did you know…?” “I learned a new idea…” Here are some of the reading roundups I have collected recently and wanted to share with you. Maybe one of them will resonate in your heart and feed your soul. Faith and Leadership shared this thought-provoking interview with Phyllis Tickle about the future and the changes of the church. Be sure to read till the end of the article about how churches need to be anthills. “Phyllis Tickle argues that Christianity is currently … [Read more...]
Foundations and Faith – Rules for Life
I have been catching up on my reading piles these past weeks. Library books. Books sent to me to review. A few sitting so long on my stand their dust covers are actually covered in dust. The seven I worked on this week were disappointing, so I am not even going to name them here. It is hard work to write a book; authors pour their soul into the words. Who am I to criticize them? I do love books, so it was odd to dive into so many in such a short time that left me bored and wondering where else to spend my time more productively. I never connected with them as a reader. Always an optimist, I gathered them together and asked myself what did these books collectively teach me? They all reminded me the value and importance of living a life on a solid foundation, nourished by faith. Many of the books listed rules the authors adopted for their lives. One author wrote two long books, each dedicated to only 12 rules. Another writer dug into her family history, her roots, … [Read more...]
Let Go or Let’s Go
“Go” is my word for 2021 and for such a short, simple word I have been amazed how it has weaved its meaning into my life this year. For some earlier examples, you can reread these blog posts here and here. This past week “Go” tickled my imagination during my practice of breath prayer. A breath prayer is a very short prayer that can be said in one breath and repeated throughout the day. It is an ancient form of prayer, found in writings as early as the second century. The prayer communicates a sense of nearness with trust and dependency on God. Perhaps the best-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” That morning I inhaled “Let” and exhaled “Go” as I relaxed into God’s arm and surrender the many attachments coming between us. I loosened my grip on concerns and future non-existent anxieties. “Let go.” “Let go.” Then I noticed a whispered change, “Let’s go.” “Let’s go.” A simple … [Read more...]
Routines and Road Trips Reflections
Ever notice that the word “routine” shares the root word matching the word “route?” When I hear “routine”, I assume images of dull, everyday schedule of events - predictable and repetitive. I often think of routines occurring while I am at home or on ordinary days, yet tucked away in this mundane word is a journey, a path, a “route” away from the average and into adventures. We just returned from a family trip to Disney World, journeying into a place far from my usual schedule. As I reenter into the pace and place of home and the return of chores, calendars, and commonplace, I savored the return to routine. I compared and contrasted routine and adventures in this post blog written several years ago. Both offer refreshment for the soul in their own unique ways and God is in all moments. God modeled for us in Genesis, a rhythm of productivity and rest. He dreamed, created, shaped the universe, stepped back savoring in its magnificent beauty and declared it all … [Read more...]
11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer
Percolate means to spread or pass through. What a lovely way to think of prayer. To percolate our day, our time, our life in prayer. Percolate originates from Latin with “colo” meaning to worship, honor, inhabit, nurture, cultivate, filter, and purify. To allow ourselves to seep in and through prayer. I love that image and have been intentionally soaking in God’s presence during the moments of my day. Even last week in the hot humid craziness of a packed Disney World with long lines and achy feet, I smiled at God and thanked him for all his gifts. Beholding the word “percolate” centered me even in the midst of the noise of the Magic Kingdom. Once home I began to identify what has helped me this year focus on God throughout the day and distilled 11 ideas to share with you and hopefully reinforce and cultivate prayer in my life too. 11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary … [Read more...]
Summer Sabbath Sayings
Summer sabbath is the slowing down and savoring the beauty, refreshment, and renewal of summertime. For many of us summer means travel, camping, fresh fruit and vegetables, water activities, ice cream, family get-togethers, and backyard BBQs. Even in these times following pandemic rules and recommendations, people long for the refreshment of a change of pace. Of course, I am writing this from Ohio, in the Northern Hemisphere. For those living south of the equator, please pardon my wandering through the warmth and sunshine. I am heading out this week and returning midweek next week for a postponed from last year and alleluia we can go this year trip. So I gathered some thoughtful and fun sayings about summer sabbath for your pondering and joy: One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter. Henry David ThoreauWhen the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome. Wilma RudolphIf you have a garden … [Read more...]