William Wilberforce Today is William Wilberforce Day. I knew his name, but not his story until I watched the movie, Amazing Grace. This movie tells about John Newton’s life, the former slave boat captain who after he converted to Christianity wrote the lyrics to one of the most favorite hymns of all time, Amazing Grace. But I didn’t know how Newton became Wilberforce’s spiritual director guiding him to serve as God called him to do. The movie is actually the story of William Wilberforce and how he, as a member of Parliament, abolished the stave trade in England. Today is William Wilberforce Day, honoring him on his birthday, but more so, for dedicating his life to doing what is right and serving God. Who was William Wilberforce? Wilberforce was born on August 24, 1759 into a wealthy, high society family in England. He studied at Cambridge where he developed a close friendship with William Pitt, the future prime minister. The slave trade boomed in the 1700’s with as many … [Read more...]
Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal
Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal Are you just beginning to write in a spiritual journal? I have a friend who is starting the spiritual practice of writing in a spiritual journal and she asked me recently for some beginner tips. I thought I would share what I told her as it may help someone else. I wrote a four-week series on writing a spiritual journal in June and you many find it useful to reread those words. Keeping a Spiritual Journal Types of Journals 13 Tips on Keeping a Spiritual Journal Harvesting your Journal I also included then a free download about journaling and you can request to get a copy of that by clicking the following button: Click Here to Get the Tip Sheet Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. --William Wordsworth Date your work – you will be amazed on how quickly times flies when you reread your words and amazed at what changes and what stays the … [Read more...]
Shakespeare, Stratford and Sage Sayings
Shakespeare, Stratford and Sage Sayings What do Shakespeare, Stratford and Sage Sayings have in common? Creativity! Last week I spent a delightful week with my oldest daughter, Valerie and we journeyed to Stratford Canada. This charming town holds the Stratford Shakespeare Festival every summer featuring 13 plays. We were lucky enough to attend 8 shows, ranging from the toe-tapping musicals - a Chorus Line and A Little Night Music to C.S. Lewis’ the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, to Macbeth, to the North American stage premier of Shakespeare in Love to the Virgil’s Aeneid (a modern version) to Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, ending with the hysterical Moliere’s The Hypochondriac. No, I can’t pick a favorite since they were all so different and exciting in their own way. I came home tired, but interestingly refreshed in the spirit of creativity. I love words and felt like I swam in an energizing pool of imagination and inventiveness. So today I am going to share a … [Read more...]
What are the Best Decisions You Made in Your Life?
What are the Best Decisions You Made in Your Life? What are the best decisions you made in your life? Interesting question to ponder, isn’t it? What a great question to pray about and hold in your heart as part of living a reflective life. Last week I was getting ready in the bathroom. Of course putting on some make-up is part of my morning routine and as I peered into the mirror, I noticed two tiny vertical lines between my eyebrows. No, I wasn’t upset; I was happy. Those barely noticeable indents used to be deeper, wider crevices, packed with stress, worry and demands. I remember when I worked fulltime in a job that used to fit me well, but was no longer right for me, the furrows on my forehead deepened. But now I had less wrinkles! Ten years later – Then I acknowledged I am healthier now too. I weigh less. I exercise more. I am at peace. Then this popped out of my mouth, out loud so my heart could hear it. “Retiring early was one of the best decisions I ever made!” I … [Read more...]
How is Your Visual Intelligence?
How is Your Visual Intelligence? How is your visual intelligence? Ever hear of such a measurement? I didn’t until I found a new book by Amy Herman titled: Visual Intelligence – Sharpen your Perception, Change your Life. I ran across this book while working of the Slowing Down to be with God series I presented a few weeks ago, especially when we explored “O” for observation, titled “Four Outstanding Options.” Visual Intelligence and Our Current Level of Observation The skill of observation is important when living a reflective life, especially in the desire to slow down to be with God. Instead of living blindly or allowing busyness, interruptions and the world lead you, you become aware of those times when your heart isn’t tuned to God and realign yourself. But you have to be mindful, aware, intentionally observing how you think, live and act so you can make those corrections. You observe and retune to God. The world is full of magic things, patiently … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in July
Monthly Musings Each month I pause and take a look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living a reflective life is a spiritual practice that adds depth and gratitude to our lives. Often our busy schedules make it difficult to keep a daily journal, but we can find the time to take notes of the some of the highlights, lessons, and joys by waking up and paying attention. Capturing these special moments gives meaning and delight to life. I record these on the pages of my Monthly Musing Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musing Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep track of the little things in life we often miss. What I Learned in July Lessons Learned I reconnected with a writing friend in July. I met Robin probably more than 20 years ago and we continue to stay in contact. She lives in Indy about 3 hours from me and has … [Read more...]
Words To Live By – Book Review
Words To Live By – Book Review I love words. I love to discover new ones and play with familiar ones. My favorites ticked the tongue and stir the soul. The best ones though, stick with your spirit and emerge as words to live by. What if you could pray and ponder over 52 ordinary words that would lead to an extraordinary life? I discovered a neat newly published book called: Words to Live By – One Word a Week Devotional by Linda Gilden and Dalene Parker and also unearthed a real treasure. Each week one simple word is highlighted followed by five devotionals. For example, ordinary words like listen, change, wait and trust. Quick reads for your morning quiet time with perfect illustrations and applications. Many of us chose an action word for the year: here is a similar technique to invite you closer to God through a word a week. I think journaling about the chosen word would also deepen your experience. Many of the entries end with a question to carry with you for … [Read more...]
Are You Worth the Wait? – Slowing Down to be with God
Are You Worth the Wait? – Slowing Down to be with God Today’s question: Are you worth the wait? Welcome back to this special week on Healthy Spirituality – the 2016 Spiritual Summer School with the theme of Slowing Down to be with God. I have been posting all this week and then live streaming daily on Facebook Live. Today is my last day for this topic here and on Facebook where I will be live at 9:30 am today. The replay will be available later on my Facebook author page. I hope you can join me there for the video. All week we explored different aspects of Slowing Down to be with God. So far we have "set the stage" for slowing down to be with God on Monday and on Tuesday we began to unpack the word SLOW starting with the letter S and I shared Six Strategies for Slowing Down to be with God. Wednesday we explore listening to our language and the language of God as we slow down to be with him. Yesterday we looked at Outstanding Options we have for slowing down. And now we have … [Read more...]