I have used the spiritual practice of lectio divina – praying deeply with the word of God – for many years but haven’t ventured very much into visio divina – praying deeply with the eyes of your heart, while gazing at art and other visual images. Until this week. NASA just released new photographs taken with its Chandra X-Ray Observatory Space Telescope. Along with the U.N’s declaration that the year 2015 is the International Year of Light, these photos invited me into the awe of our Creator and I couldn’t contain my praise as I danced in his wonder. Come and be dazzled with me in the Lord’s light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give … [Read more...]
The Pursuit of God – Revisited
I met an old friend this past weekend – the book, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I revisited its highlighted, dogged-eared pages and relished its wisdom. What a wonderful feast for my soul to dig into this volume once again. Isn’t it great to have these treasures on our shelves? This book reminded me to desire God above all things in my life. That deep hunger and emptiness within me is God’s fingerprint luring me back to him as the source of all life. All of us – our deepest compelling question – is to know God. Just rereading the chapters of this book woke me up – Following Hard after God (am I doing this?), the Blessedness of Possessing Nothing, Removing the Veil ( what obstacles are preventing me from seeing God in my life?), the Speaking Voice, The Gaze of the Soul, the Sacrament of Living. Just a few of the titles that helped me silence the internal and external noise within my heart and just pause and spend time with God, my rabbi, my teacher, my friend, my lover and … [Read more...]
Immediately– Lectio Divina
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Mark 1: 14-20 Lord, your entire lectionary reading this week flows with the sense of time. But the word that jumps into my heart from your heart is immediately. Immediately – without delay, no hesitation, a prompt response. I overthink. I pause and second-guess. I fail to answer your … [Read more...]
Being Open to God
I was on retreat last year when I shared with the spiritual director my ongoing frustration of the divide between my head and my heart. I think too much. I deeply want to trust. I step out into life before seeking God first. I think I run the world, not the One who really does. Off with her head – I wanted to scream! My director calmly asked what image comes to mind when I ponder my head and heart. Immediately I knew – an hour glass. Open on top and bottom but constricted in the middle. She suggested I pray for a new image and see where God leads me. Odd prayer, isn’t it? Dear Lord, how do you want me to see my head and heart? How can I better visualize them working together not tearing my soul apart? Please show me, Lord. Over the next few days of the retreat God slowly showed me a new image – a tree. My heart is the roots, growing deep in his love. My head are the branches – intentionally reaching out to him in his light and love. In between where the restricted narrow … [Read more...]
Never Ever Be the Same – Guest Post – Kathy Collard Miller
Ever think back about who helped you when you were first learning something new? Who made you feel welcomed in a new area? Who gave you confidence to keep trying? Who left you never ever the same? I met Kathy Collard Miller at a CLASS workshop eons ago when I was just trying to figure out if this inkling to write and speak might be a direction God was calling me. Kathy was my small group leader who led us, modeled for us, encouraged us and gave us the tools and hope to take the risk. I am a writer and speaker today because of her and am honored to host her here today as a guest blogger. Kathy and her husband, Larry, have just released a new book, Never Ever Be the Same and I can certainly vouch for her skills and expertise in this area. Welcome to Healthy Spirituality, Kathy! What’s Your “Walker”? by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller One Christmas when my ninety-year-old mother-in-law, Audrey, lived with us, our then-three-year-old grandson, Raf, was fascinated … [Read more...]
Come and See – Lectio Divina
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1: 43-46 Come and See Lord, forgive my unmoving and unseeing heart. Your invitation still stands to come and see. Come and See. Come – turn away from my worldly desires and behaviors. See – you waiting for me to come. Come – run into your open loving arms. See – your smile, feel your tender embrace. Come – lend a helping hand to those who you bring my way. See – others through your eyes of love, acceptance and forgiveness. Come – your invitation to not only spend time with you, but to know you intimately, to dance with you, to … [Read more...]
10 Plus 1 “Don’t List” Items for 2015
I am often consumed by my to-do lists and felt the deep need to pause and imagine a “don’t list” to follow in my life. I read this old joke the other day: A guy who goes to the doctor because his hand hurts when he moves it. "It hurts when I do this," he says to the doctor. "Then don't do that," the doctor answers. Which is, when you think about it, excellent advice for a lot of things. The practice of reflecting what would be on a don’t list made me think and I hope take notice more quickly when I revert to my default mode of old habits and comfort zones. So here are some things I thought of for my Don’t List: Don’t say yes when I really want and need to say no. Don’t choose lazy and tired over fit and active. Don’t let my to –do’s ruin my delights. Don’t allow my self-talk defeat my determination. Don’t tolerate the world’s and my ego’s definition of success in distracting me from God’s plan. Don’t let my eyes revert to short-term detours instead of focusing … [Read more...]
Keeping A Journal – A Spiritual Practice
If you have followed my blog for a while you know I keep a journal. I find writing my thoughts, prayers, quotes I like, worries, and happenings ground me and give me a perspective to life. Keeping a journal is a priceless spiritual practice. Each year at the end of one year and the joyous opening of the new year, I reread my journal, summarizing events, reflections and ongoing questions from the past, then prayerfully writing where I feel God is leading me in near future. Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. --William Wordsworth How often you write in a journal, doesn’t matter – daily, weekly, or only occasionally. But each time we write, we capture a moment in time and create a significant signpost for our journey. I have tried various forms of journals and keep returning to a 5 by 7 inch, spiral bound journal found in book stores. What is new the past few years is I am cutting out more quotes, photos and using colorful pens for my entries. Some people get … [Read more...]