Timeless and Powerful Worship in a New Language God knows no bounds when it comes to worship and words. His love breaks through language barriers and even surpasses time. We can experience timeless and powerful worship in any language - even if we don’t know a word of German! Worship at St. Anne’s Church On our Germany trip we visited the beautiful St Anne’s Church built in 1321 by Carmelite monks in Augsburg. In 1518 Martin Luther stayed there while he was in Augsburg defending his beliefs to the Cardinal. Our group learned a noon time prayer service was scheduled in the chapel and we were invited to participate. Worship in the Chapel Silently we entered the gothic Goldsmith’s Chapel built in 1420. Gothic murals decorated every wall and ceiling. I remembered that many people in that time period didn’t know how to read, so would learn the stories of the Bible and the good news about Jesus through paintings depicted in churches. I was surrounded by the endless story of … [Read more...]
Images of our Theology – Luther’s Seal
Images of our Theology – Luther’s Seal Do you have an image that illustrates your theology? A symbol, painting, pictorial concept of your beliefs? When you “see” God, how do you visualize him/her? No one requires us to have a model or photo in mind on this spiritual journey. But this practice is not only fun and imaginative, it is an opportunity to explore a visual depiction of what you believe that helps us identify and clarify our faith. Most of you know, I just returned from a pilgrimage to Germany where we visited many of the sites that Martin Luther lived. One day we learned about the meaning behind the Luther Seal, causing me to ponder about my own images of my faith and of God. Luther's Seal The Martin Luther seal is also known as the Luther Rose. He designed the final version while staying in Coberg Castle as he waited and prepared to defend his beliefs in Augsburg. He worked with his friend Philip Melanchthon to present what is now called “The Augsburg … [Read more...]
Germany Pilgrimage and Upcoming Changes
Germany Pilgrimage and Upcoming Changes I am home from the Germany pilgrimage with a full heart of memories, new lessons, a renewed appreciation of history and millstone of jet lag. I even brought home some German germs in the form of a slight head cold. Cough, sniff… I wrote here a couple of weeks ago about the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage. The devotions we experienced as a group based on what we were seeing each day grounded our journey and deepened our insights. The one following our visit to Dacha Concentration Camp was especially poignant. We definitely left Germany differently from when we arrived with our minds full of new insights and knowledge, our eyes open to new perspectives, and our hearts widened with more compassion. As I journaled my thoughts, emotions, and encounters on this trip, I kept noting – “Oh, this should be a blog post!” so I am making a few changes to Healthy Spirituality for this month. In this post and then the next five, … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in June
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in June 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. 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 June Lessons Learned Grandchildren are a great source of wisdom. I shared earlier this month about when I was finishing Sunday’s children message about how when we go on a vacation we can take God with us when my grandson said … [Read more...]
Dwelling Places – Book Review
Looking for a new devotional to nourish your spirit? I highly recommend Dwelling Places – Words to Live in Every Season by Lucinda Secrest McDowell. I am part of her book launch team, so received this book in exchange for fair review, but must tell you its words are a gift to me and will continue to enhance my walk with God. This has quickly become a favorite devotional of mine. Dwelling Places is a year around, 130-day devotional based on a single word for each day, a Bible reading and a reflection for those days. The author divides the book into four sections: Fall (dwell), Advent (shine), Lent (renew) and Summer (grow). A great devotional and one of those resources you could use if you need to lead devotions before a meeting or small group. “I awaken to the sound of heavy rain encompassing me, This second floor sleeping porch contains one piece of furniture: a large bed surround on three sides by floor to ceiling windows, setting me high among the trees. Sliding down … [Read more...]
Harvesting a Spiritual Journal
Harvesting a Spiritual Journal Harvesting a spiritual journal is powerful and what I call the “secret sauce” to reaping benefits from the practice of keeping a journal. In June we have been exploring the various aspects of spiritual journaling on the Tending the Holy Thursdays. You can visit the past posts here: Why keep a spiritual journal 13 Tips on keeping a journal Types of spiritual journal And don’t forget I created a free resource for you called Keeping a Spiritual Journal Tip Sheet. You can get this free by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God. I would love to have more email subscribers and to connect with you on social media. So if you don’t get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox, don’t forget to sign up. Community is also an important aspect of our faith walk. Harvesting Your Spiritual Journal Rereading and reviewing your journal writings offers insights, … [Read more...]
Difference Between a Vacation and a Pilgrimage
Difference Between a Vacation and a Pilgrimage What is the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage? When this blog post is published I will be in Germany – visiting many of the Reformation sites in what used to be eastern Germany. Yes, we will see history, the geography, travel on a bus, walk cobbled streets, eat in open air cafes and probably drink a few German beers. But this isn’t a vacation – it is a pilgrimage. I am not a tourist; I am a pilgrim. Our group intentionally created a trip itinerary more like a pilgrimage than a vacation. We planned daily devotions to share as a group and decided a theme for each day based on what we were seeing. We even coordinated hymns for the daily plan. We have prayed for one another before the trip and as we get to know each other better I am sure the prayers will deepen. Our sense of community had already intensified through the Spirit before we meet in person. This process made me think about all the gifts and insights that … [Read more...]
Keeping a Spiritual Journal – Types
Keeping a Spiritual Journal – Types Keeping a spiritual journal can be accomplished in different types or formats. Exploring this practice is the topic for June's Tending the Holy Thursdays. Each month on my Thursday posts I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. So far this month we have looked at why you would want to write a spiritual journal and you can read that post here. Last week I shared 13 tips of keeping a journal. Next week I will spill the beans and tell you about the practice within this practice, my secret sauce, that continues to inspire and deepen this practice on my faith walk. Each month I create an additional free resource for you based on the current topic, so this mouth there is a Keeping a Spiritual Journal Tip Sheet. You can get this free by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God. I would love to have more email subscribers and to … [Read more...]