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...]
Medical Miracle
As a nurse I took countless blood pressures, but one man comes to mind whenever I see a cuff and stethoscope. I remember him because he was a medical miracle. I met him when he was in his 90s at the local senior center. I visited there monthly for blood pressures checks and health teaching, so I had the wonderful privilege and opportunity to get to know the folks there and their stories. This retired pastor was diagnosed when he was fourteen with diabetes around 1914. Diabetes was a fatal disease then because insulin has not yet been discovered. People with diabetes often survived only a few years. “My mama saved me. She worked so hard to find the right balance of food to keep me alive. I remember the day about ten years later getting my first insulin shot. What a miracle that was. I finally had hope.” He still struggled balancing his body’s needs and learning how best use this new drug. He sat in front of me that day, blind most of his life due to diabetes, yet … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Gazing
Gazing is the act of fixing our eyes in a steady intent look with focused attention. Gazing evokes feelings of curiosity, interest, pleasure, wonder and love. One of my favorite quotes and I keep this by my computer is from Anthony DeMello: “Look at God… Looking and you…and smiling.” Ahhh, to be present in the gaze of God, gazing back in mutual love. This is worship. This is being fully entering into the presence of God. This is communion. A moment of savoring and soaking in God’s love and us loving God. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah – Psalm 67:1 Gazing Gazing has popped up in my reading and listening quite a bit these past weeks. I find God does that when he is drawing my attention to something important. Pay attention – God is inviting us closer all the time if we notice. “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And … [Read more...]
Old Spiritual Journals – Keep or Destroy?
Old spiritual journals – do you keep them or destroy them? This question is the number one question I get asked when teaching or writing about keeping a journal. And I fear the number one reason why some people never begin this life-giving spiritual practice – What if someone reads what I write???? Let’s talk about the riches of keeping our journals and some reasons why you might not want to. What is a Spiritual Journal? A spiritual journal is a notebook or some type of recording of your faith journey. The focus is on your relationship with God, how you see life through your spirituality and where you prayerfully think God may be inviting you next in life. A spiritual journal is not a diary – where all the nuances of daily life are documented. Significant life events or what is impacting you in ordinary living can be the framework, but the essence of what you write is through the lens of your faith. How is that event transforming you? What does God want you … [Read more...]
The Power of Holding Unanswered Questions
Unanswered questions shaped my recent retreat and continue to linger in my journals and contemplative talks with God. I am a fixer and quick decider. I like the comfort of knowing answers or at least the next couple of steps on this adventure and gift of life God has given all of us. Tell me where I am going and what to expect and I will dig down and get there. But that isn’t God’s way, is it? Unanswered questions are the fertile ground of growth, formation, and surprises. I wonder why does this question nag my soul? What does it mean? What does it make possible? The best lessons emerge in the wrestling, welcoming, and wondering with each question. I am going to be vulnerable and share with you this week some of these questions I am holding and listening to in this journey. I hope maybe they will resonate with you too and nurture your walk with God. Unanswered Questions What makes me sing and jump for joy? Why would I throw away an opportunity to serve … [Read more...]
Spiritual Practices on a Retreat
What spiritual practices support a retreat experience? I recently return from an 8-day silent retreat. What is a silent retreat? Here are some previous blog posts about this intentional time with God. Last week I reflected how my word of the year guided my week at a retreat center. I also observed how various spiritual practices slowed me down and helped me pay attention to God’s presence. Spiritual practices don’t impress God, just so he answers your prayers. Spiritual practices are tools that align our hearts with God’s. Most of these practices I have experienced before, but once again realized their value in the spiritual journey. These are essential and life-giving for me. Maybe my sharing will remind you once again of the places and ways you too can connect with God. Silence and Solitude – My soul revived soaking in silence and solitude. This shouldn’t surprise me but each time these practices astonish me with their renewing impact. I read that Dallas … [Read more...]