Ascension-tide? Ever hear of it? The church year calendar is full of wonderful opportunities for us to learn more about God, to open our hearts to new perspectives, and to grow spiritually.  Ascension-tide is the ten days tucked between the Ascension of our Lord into heaven until the Day of Pentecost. This year Ascension-tide starts May 26 and goes until Pentecost, June 5th. This feast doesn’t get much attention. No store décor. No special food. No days off. No jingles or hymns to sing. Ascension-tide is the season when we remember that the disciples let go of Jesus so that he can be always present to all people. Jesus was gone and the Holy Spirit hadn’t been sent yet. These ten days became a time of waiting and longing for God. I wonder what the followers of Christ did and felt during the 10 days after they witnessed Jesus’ ascension into heaven and before the arrival of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Did they struggle with doubts?  Did they wait impatiently? I … [Read more...]

Optimism.  I grew up in a serious household, with serious parents, and serious expectations. My parents were not pessimists or realists, but they definitely didn’t practice optimism.  They were just focused, hard-working, deliberate people. So most of my adult life I have dealt with my internal negative chatter and learned the skills of optimism.  Practice.  Practice. Practice. I read books and research about optimism.  Whenever I listed my values, optimism ranked high.  I even gave talks to others about optimism. I smugly wore the new label of “Optimist” on my heart. Yep I was proud of this new attitude that served me well into my second half of life. You know what they say about pride. First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.Proverbs 16:18  The Message New Perspective about Optimism. God continues to teach and form us.  I am thankful for that truth, but I was surprised at this spiritual lesson. Readers of this blog … [Read more...]

Stand up straight. Don’t slouch. I heard this a lot growing up and perhaps you did too as our moms encouraged good posture for our physical health. What about our spiritual posture? This is Holy Week for those of us in the Christian church.  As I read and reread the scriptures focused on the last week of Jesus’ life, his suffering, his death, and his glorious resurrection, I am drawn to Jesus’ posture of love. The Lord nudges me “Watch Jesus.” Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Healthy posture is the correct alignment of body parts. Our everyday movements and activities can affect this alignment and put stress on joints and muscles, sometimes resulting in pain and potentially permanent damage if left unchecked over time. Posture can also be defined as how we live. Our posture toward politics, for example. Whether we lean conservative or progressive. Our posture shows our attitude or beliefs. Watch … [Read more...]

Share Four Somethings is a new regular blog post I began this year modeling after several of my blogger friends who publish bits of wisdom in four categories.  I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey.  With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way.  I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and to see what they will teach me this year. Something WiseSomething WonderfulSomething WhisperedSomething Whimsical Each one reminds me to pay attention to these qualities in my life as gifts from God. I am learning that whimsical is the hardest one for me to capture and one that need the most coaxing to appear. Something Wise Ubuntu describes an African saying: “I am a person through other people. My humanity is tied to yours.” Archbishop Desmond Tutu explained it this way: … [Read more...]

Attending a silent retreat is an opportunity to slow down and be with God. I find too often I rush into this time away dragging the world's craziness and noise with me. I am learning to pause for planning for a retreat ahead of time – even if just briefly to enter the silence with more intention and depth. As you read this blog post today, I have just returned from a silent retreat. For more info, get the book I wrote about retreats - you can check it out in the blog's side column. I thought it may be useful to share with you 5 W’s to consider before going on a retreat. WhatWhereWhenWhyWhat to bring and what to ask What is a Retreat? A retreat is simply a time away with God. A break from routine. Getting out of your normal rut and finding a quiet interlude and place to slow down with God. You create space in your calendar, your surroundings, and in your heart for God. Jesus frequently took the time for prayer with his father. Jesus models for us this powerful spiritual … [Read more...]

I heard the term Lamplighters from wisdom teacher mystic Cynthia Bourgeault who described the spiritual teachers in her life – both ancient and contemporary – as lamplighters, those lighting the way for her path. I love this word and have learned like electric wires bringing light into my soul, I too have lamplighters, even a few high-tension ones that boost my spirit beyond the ordinary. Highly charged lamplighters for me are Henri Nouwen, Teresa of Avilla, and Barbara Brown Taylor. In 2003 in my first class to become a spiritual director, they encouraged us to choose (or did that person choose us?) one person to “walk” with for the next three years. We would read about that person, their story, and their spiritual journey. How did faith shape their life? How did they discern which way to go? What worked and what didn’t?  We read what others wrote about that person and if they left writings, dug deep into their words. We presented, discussed, and wrote reflection … [Read more...]