How do you start your day? Me? Coffee, walking, and prayer. All with the help of technology. My coffee is ready when I get up in the morning since I use the timer feature on the coffee maker. What a great way to wake up with the delightful smell of coffee in the air. I am a house walker, walking throughout my house at a fast pace, up and down the stairs, listening to podcasts and working out with the goal of 50 minutes and 6000 steps to start the day. I love my Fitbit for tracking and try to close all three fitness rings on my Apple Watch by the end of the day. I also practice morning prayer and use several apps on my phone to help me slow down, quiet my spirit and thoughts, and hear God in new ways. Technology can be a distractions sometimes but also a help in deepening prayer. Below are some great suggestions to try. I think all use either Apple or android and most links go directly to the app page. You will have to go to your app store to download. … [Read more...]
Word Nerd, Words Overheard, Words Undeterred
I am a word nerd. I love playing with words, learning new ones, studying the Word, and exploring their meanings and history. Some words tickle all our senses like a delicious treat as they cascade and take flight from our tongue. I have been thinking a lot lately about words. I love to read. One of my favorite books, next to the Bible, is my beat-up, falling-apart-at-the-seams Thesaurus. I am on several daily email lists highlighting interesting ones too. I have been wondering if each of us have a single word set by God into the center of our souls that guide us throughout life. One word or perhaps a small phrase resonating throughout our lives adding meaning and purpose. Yes “word” could be my divine imprint, but I also am drawn to, “nourish/nurture.” I do know I love having a word of a year. This year’s word – GO- is so simple, short, yet full of wisdom and guidance. I have been amazed how GO weaves its way into my life and appears just at the right moment, guiding a … [Read more...]
Pentecost Pondering
Pentecost is the coming Sunday, May 23 commemorating the arrival of the Holy Spirit and is often called the birthday of the church. The word Pentecost means “fiftieth day,” as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter. I have been listening to what others have to say about the Trinity– God, Jesus, and Spirit- and how they address them. The words they chose give us a glimpse into their faith. Many people know God and they describe their relationship with familiar names: God the Creator, Lord, Yahweh, the Holy One. One of my favorites is Abba. I love the intimacy of that word. God the Father took me a long time to embrace since my own dad died when I was a teenager and I had to work through abandonment issues. I know God the Father is difficult for many others too, but God can heal those wounds. Next, I hear beautiful names for Jesus: Alpha and Omega, Savior, Morning Light, Emmanuel, Christ, Master, Son of God, the Way, Good Shepherd, and so many more. But … [Read more...]
Books Ready to be Read
Books! I love them. I have a constant list ordered to borrow from my library. And of course, I buy too many books. Amazon and I are on a first name basis. I don't have too many books; my challenge is not enough bookshelves. I do love to read what others are reading and have shared current books I am reading on this blog too. So here are a few I am immersed in reading, savoring, highlighting, enjoying and devouring. Growing Slow by Jennifer Dukes Lee The idea of unhurried living certainly appeals to most of us worn out by busyness, expectations, and distractions. In this book Jennifer talks about when she gave herself permission to slow down and invites us to join her. I can't wait to read the practices she suggests for slowing down. She writes, "Hurry will consume you until you have nothing left. But we don't even know it's happening, because there's a popular idea out there that purposeful living is synonymous with hurry. And that if you want a great life, … [Read more...]
Charm Bracelets – Capture the Past, Cherish the Present
Charm bracelets – did it wear one in high school? A few weeks ago, a good friend (Thanks, Mary Ann) showed her high school charm bracelet on Facebook and asked if anyone else wore one like hers when we were younger. The response was so fun and brought back many memories. So I looked. I pulled out the step stool to reach that high shelf in the closet where the old jewelry box rested covered with dust. Nostalgia descended upon my soul as I sort and sifted through classic pieces from my mom and from my life many moons ago. Old pins. Nameplates from first jobs. Not working watches worn by an elderly long gone saint who still lives in my heart. Finally, I found it and slowly touched each captured moment from my teen years. Capturing the Past What is or would be on your childhood charm bracelet? Not only is this fun but also remind us of our roots and early experiences that formed our souls. Come on, let's share. Even men could at least imagine what … [Read more...]
Languishing and Lingering Lessons
Lingering and languishing are two words murmuring in my mind and heart lately. I haven't heard anyone said these two words out loud, but sense many people feel empty, depleted, and lack the energy even to linger and savor the present time. We fixate on the never-ending pandemic dominating our lives, news, and choices. We then play the "someday when we can be normal again" game, focusing on the future. Languishing "Part of the danger is that when you’re languishing, you might not notice the dulling of delight or the dwindling of drive. You don’t catch yourself slipping slowly into solitude; you’re indifferent to your indifference. When you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or even do much to help yourself.” Great quote from an article in the NY Times so well written by Adam Grant and titled "There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing." It opens with this sentence: "The neglected middle child of mental health can dull your motivation … [Read more...]
In Praise of the Pretzel
Pretzels! Did you know April 26 is National Pretzel Day? I never heard of this before and what a fun and yummy discovery. The Twisted History Pretzels do belong in a faith blog like Healthy Spirituality because pretzel have religious roots. Legend tells that the first pretzel was created by a monk around the 7th Century A.D.to reward children for saying their prayers. The treat of baked dough was twisted into the shape or crossed arms. Some say they were originally called “bracellae,” the Latin term for “little arms,” from which Germans later derived the word “bretzel.” One place promotes the pretzel starting in Italy while another source puts the invention in a monastery in southern France. Seen as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and spiritual fulfillment, pretzels were also commonly distributed to the poor, as a way of providing them with both spiritual and literal sustenance. The looped pretzel may also be related to a Greek Ring bread from the communion … [Read more...]
One Word Journaling
Is one word enough for a journal entry? Using a single word as a writing prompt is amazingly simple, yet powerful. I have notice when studying scripture and being with God, often the small plain words hold as much meaning as the gigantic theological ones. THE Lord is MY shepherd. OUR Father who art in heaven. YET God… My Word of the Year My word of the year is very minimal and down to earth: GO. I have shared on other posts about my word and GO continues to put down deep roots in my spiritual journey this year. Emily Freeman talked this past week about How to Journal Using One Word in her #173 podcast. Well worth listening as she is inspiring and insightful every week. Emily likes to write her word at the top of a journal page. She then reviews and reflects over the past week, month or quarter her using her iPhone photos, her journal, and her daily planner. Paying attention, she looks for patterns or material related to her word. She then gleans insights … [Read more...]