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Borrowed Words

June 3, 2025 By Jean Wise 4 Comments

words

The wisdom of others often penetrates our hearts and minds and helps us hear God in new ways. This is just one reason of many why we need to read and listen to others much wiser than us. Why I am thankful we are surrounded by the “great crowd of witnesses” that stretch our growing. Why I seek and sit at the feet of lamplighters. Here are a few thoughts from others lately that have invited me to pause, pray and ask God what are you asking me to do with these words in my life right now, Lord? Maybe they will bless your journey too: “Here's to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes, spiritual lessons

Words Affecting My Heart

May 2, 2023 By Jean Wise

Words are a powerful element in my life. God’s word. Words I scribble in my journal or in this blog or books. Words inspiring me, giving me hope, instilling energy to keep going. Lately other people’s words have been refreshing my spirit.  I call these “borrowed words” as they often express what I am experiencing but can’t quite describe.  I read their writing and say, “Yes, that’s it!” Here are a few examples: “When your life is filled with the desire to see the holiness in everyday life, something magical happens: Ordinary life becomes extraordinary, and the very process of life begins to nourish your soul.” Rabbi Harold S. Kushner  Gary Fawver wrote: “Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won’t come in.” Last line from poem titled With Passion by Rumi: “Why look like a dead fish in this ocean of God?” “Forgiveness is the gift that says two things: First, I am just as weak as everyone else … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes

Worthy Wisdom Words

March 29, 2022 By Jean Wise

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Read any good wisdom words lately? As mentioned last week I recently attended a silent retreat. I listened deeply to God but also found thoughtful guidance from the written words from other “lamplighters.”  I thought I would share some of these quotes with you today hoping they bring light to your spiritual journey too.  I know these words opened my heart to God’s love and shaping. Henri Nouwen continues to profoundly impact me this year. I prayed and pondered and journaled these words especially last week. How am I to let myself be loved by God? WOW! “For most of my life I have struggled to find God, to know God, to love God. I have tried hard to follow the guidelines of the spiritual life—pray always, work for others, read the Scriptures—and to avoid the many temptations to dissipate myself. I have failed many times but always tried again, even when I was close to despair.“Now I wonder whether I have sufficiently realized that during all this time God has been trying to find … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes, spiritual lessons

Summer Sabbath Sayings

August 3, 2021 By Jean Wise

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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...]

Filed Under: quotes

Advent Quotes to Bless this Season in 2020

December 15, 2020 By Jean Wise

advent quotes

Advent quotes! Advent is one of my favorite seasons. I love the hope, the joy, the holy anticipation of new birth. I also love collecting, pondering, and stretching my heart, mind and spirit with quotes – tiny bits of wisdom from others that nourishes my soul and gives me strength for this journey. 2020 has been challenging for all of us, so today I am going to share some of my recent Advent quotes I have read so you too can consider them and perhaps their words will lighten your path. I have written these in my journal.  Brought them into my prayers. Allowed them to soak into my core for encouragement, affirmation, and wisdom.    Enjoy! The expectation of Advent is anchored in the event of God’s incarnation. The more I come in touch with what happened in the past, the more I come in touch with what is to come. The Gospel not only reminds me of what took place but also of what will take place. In the contemplation of Christ’s first coming, I can discover the signs of his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes, Seasonal

Quotes to Stir and Stimulate your Heart

November 5, 2019 By Jean Wise

Quotes

10 quotes to ponder. I do love quotes.  I gather them and tuck them into my heart like a squirrel amassing acorns for the coming winter. I collect these nuggets of wisdom that feed my soul in times of hunger, discernment and seeking. Here are a few recent quotes I discovered and deposited into my heart: Prayer is sitting in silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful. Richard Rohr ****** Prayer pushes us through life's slumps, propels us over the humps and pulls us out of the dumps. Prayer is the oomph we need to get the answers we seek. Max Lucado ****** I serve. I do the dance I must. I plant trees, but I am not the doer of this work. I am the facilitator, the instrument—I am one part of the symphony. I know there is an overall scheme to this symphony that I cannot understand. In some way, we are each playing our own part. It is not for me to judge or criticize the life or work of another. All I know is that this is my dance. I would plant trees … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes

Advent – 10 Inspirational Quotes

November 13, 2018 By Jean Wise

advent quotes

Advent begins the end of this month and is a great time to pause and ponder all that God has given us. If you are looking for more information about Advent download my free Advent Resource Guide here.  Or perhaps you may enjoy exploring some of the past posts I have written about this season: What is Advent and Why is it Important 15 Inspirational Quotes about Advent  Mary and Elizabeth - a Lesson about Advent Is Your Advent Full with Stuff in your Hands or a Heart Stuffed with Joy? My gift to you this week is 10 inspirational quotes about Advent that I haven't shared before here on Healthy Spirituality. Take one into your prayer, journaling, and time with God. May the words bless your Advent season. “For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning - not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.” ― Frederick Buechner, The … [Read more...]

Filed Under: quotes, Seasonal

10 Celtic Blessings of Wisdom

October 30, 2018 By Jean Wise

Celtic Blessings

In honor of my upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, I have been collecting Celtic blessings. Here are a few for you today: A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have.  Anonymous ****** A wish that every day for you will be happy from the start and may you always have good luck and a song within your heart.  Irish Blessing ****** Always remember to forget, the friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember those that have stuck by you!  Irish proverb ****** You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was!  Irish proverb ****** Do not resent growing old. Many are denied the privilege.  Irish proverb ****** Tis better to buy a small bouquet and give to your friend this very day, Than a bushel of roses white and red to lay on his coffin after he's dead.  Irish proverb ****** May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty. Irish Proverb ****** It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: prayer, quotes

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Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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