Discernment – How to Make those Divine, Daily, and Sometime Difficult Decisions

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Discernment. Discernment. Facing those difficult moments of deciding what to do can be hard, confusing, and sometimes life altering. Which way to go? Who will this impact? What will be the consequences? Facing a difficult time of indecisiveness and confusion twists our guts and fogs our faith. Even living with day to day decisions and making the best choices becomes overwhelming in a world distracted with marvelous, tempting, and also annoying options. How can we live and thrive and grow as discerning people? Discernment is the theme for April's Tending the Holy Thursday posts. This week we will explore some of the methods that are helpful with this much needed practice. Next week I will share some quotes and resources, then end with lessons about discernment.  May this deepening topic help you through those difficult transitions and just plain daily choices. Remember discernment is more than decision making. To discern in Latin means to discernere  - dis = apart and cernere … [Read more...]

Spring Optimism

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I'm an optimist. In spring my enthusiastic sunniness beams brighter than usual. Spring is my favorite time of year. Until it snows in April.  Yep, last weekend while we had only a dusting on the grass, one county about an hour east of my house accumulated 10 inches of heavy white winter. And just a second ago, my cell phone chirped a weather alert for below freezing temperatures tonight. If I remember right, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow, so predicting quite strongly there would be an early spring.  So much for that rat being right. In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. Mark Twain Spring where are you?  Yet I have hope. The rotation of the seasons shows me God's faithfulness and his oversight – spring will come, then summer, fall, winter, spring and so on. He is the creator, has the control, and also the authority over all things. Each day reminds me of this comforting cycle of rest and renewal – sun up, sun … [Read more...]

Discernment – Divine, Daily and Sometimes Difficult Decision-Making

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Discernment. Discernment. I believe we all want to make the best decisions whether they are major life changing ones or discerning how to best live in everyday life. Facing a difficult time of indecisiveness and confusion twists our guts and fogs our faith. How can we live and thrive and grow as discerning people? Discernment is the theme for April's Tending the Holy Thursday posts where I pick one topic to explore more deeply throughout the month. This week we will explore what discernment is and what it looks like.  The following weeks will be tips, the nitty-gritty on practicing this much needed skill, then some quotes and lessons about discernment.  May this deepening topic help you through those difficult transitions and just plain daily choices. What is Discernment? Discernment is more than decision making. To discern in Latin means to discernere  - dis = apart and cernere = to separate. We make a choice but as believers we take in all the meanings, consequences, and … [Read more...]

7 Books & 7 Quotes about Books

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Books Books – I love them. I have piles on my nightstand, stacks on my desk, and too many on my bookshelves so my hubby tells me.  "Do you really need another book?" he asks. " Do you need air?" I answered with a glare. I should own stock on Amazon.  And I will be truthful – I support our local library too. I borrow quite a few of the books from their shelves – share the love, right?  I enjoy reading other people's blogs about what they have read or are reading, so thought I would share a few with you this week.  Most of the following books I have read since the first of the year. Hopefully you will find a couple of new books to enjoy! 7 Books The Gift for All People – Max Lucado I love how Max Lucado writes – inspirational stories and powerful word images. This book is a collection of short devotional stories focusing on God's gift of love and grace for all of us. My only disappointment is the book isn't original – it is composed of stories taken from his earlier … [Read more...]

March Madness or Oops, It’s My Monthly Musings

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What are Monthly Musings? At the beginning of each month, I share lessons I learned from the previous month. I call these my Monthly Musings (I have a free cheat sheet if you want to help with this practice you (see end of this post) and/or a printed book, Monthly Musings Journal, available on Amazon if you are interested). These are ways to incorporate the spiritual practice of reflection into your life and often I see God's touch and presence more in this rearview mirror look-back on life. I have been working on a book proposal about the value of the spiritual practice of remembering and living a reflective life. Doing this column each month has grounded me in this practice and helped me capture those fleeting moments of joy, learning, and life. March Madness or My Monthly Musings What did I learn/observe in March? Lessons Learned: I have been pondering Jesus as a carpenter. I wonder what he made. How the sawdust felt to him? Did he ever miss his mark and hit his … [Read more...]

How to Prepare your Heart for a Spiritual Retreat

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I leave Thursday for a spiritual retreat – a four day silent one that feeds my soul. I love spending time in deep conversation with God and getting away from the noise that bombards me – both internal and external.  But one thing I have learned from taking multiple retreats is to take the first step days before leaving. How do you prepare your heart for a spiritual retreat? A farmer wouldn't just cast seeds on hard uncultivated ground. A writer outlines a book plot.  A cook purchases the necessary ingredients for the big meal. Priming your spirit for spending time with God is like any of these types of work – usually some preliminary prayer and pondering best prepares us. 6 tips on how to prepare your heart for a spiritual retreat: Pray – Ask God to start now to quiet your internal chattering, so you can listen deeply to his voice.  Ask for protection for your time away. Ask God to be with your family so your worries can stay at home and not rattle around your spirit while you … [Read more...]