Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four categories. Gathering Four Somethings makes me aware of all the blessings often hidden under busyness, worries, and distractions. 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. Something Wise “Holiness comes wrapped in the ordinary. There are burning bushes all around you. Every tree is full of angels. Hidden beauty is waiting in every crumb. Life wants to lead you from crumbs to angels, But this can happen only if you are willing to unwrap the ordinary By staying with it long enough to harvest its treasure.” Macrina Wiederkehr Something Wonderful I was studying the spiritual discipline of seeing beauty and learned a new to me … [Read more...]
Pondering the Pillars of a Healthy Spirituality – Humility
I humbly present the next pillar of a healthy spirituality - humility. I don’t hear cheers and loud applause for this virtue. I know I hesitated even to invite humility to come to this blog, but felt it had insights for our spiritual walk. In 2023 I plan to explore different building blocks, components, the essential nutrients that support a vibrant strong life with God. I hope to learn, study, and share thoughts about these various aspects and hope they bring fresh insights to all of our earthly journeys as God continues to shape our souls. This is our second exploration of one of the characteristics of a healthy spirituality: humility and being humble. You can read about the first one. Be Awake, here. Be Humble Do you know this old song by Mac Davis? Oh Lord, it's hard to be humbleWhen you're perfect in every wayI can't wait to look in the mirror'Cause I get better lookin' each dayTo know me is to love meI must be a heck of a manOh Lord, it's hard to be … [Read more...]
Lenten Devotional
Lent, one of my favorite listening to God seasons, begins with Ash Wednesday, Feb 22. Lent is the season before Easter lasting 40 days, not counting Sundays. It is a time to reflect and remember our relationship with God. This time presents an opportunity for us to focus and draw closer to our Lord. One Lenten practice is to read a particular book/devotional during the season. There are many great ones available, even one written by me a few years ago. 40 Voices – A Lenten Devotional captures the words and settings surrounding Jesus the final week of his human life. We hear the stories with new insights for us today and showing us the transformational power of the cross. Each devotion ends with an image, a question, and a prayer. Here is an excerpt from one chapter: “Hosanna! Not the most common word in our everyday language. I have said it during church services and sung it in hymns. I’ve read it in the Bible and heard it proclaimed on Easter morning. I assumed … [Read more...]
Pondering the Pillars of a Healthy Spirituality – Be Awake!
What are the pillars of a healthy spirituality? In 2023 I plan to explore different building blocks, components, the essential nutrients that support a vibrant strong life with God. I hope to learn, study, and share thoughts about these various aspects and hope they bring fresh insights to all of our earthly journeys as God continues to shape our souls. This week I am pondering being awake. Being awake “Just being awake, alert, attentive is no easy matter. I think it is the greatest spiritual challenge that we face.” Diana L. Eck Anthony DeMello tells this story:“A group of tourists sits in a bus that is passing through gorgeously beautiful country; lakes and mountains and green fields and rivers. But the shades of the bus are pulled down. They do not have the slightest idea of what lies beyond the windows of the bus. And all the time of their journey is spent in squabbling over who will have the seat of honor in the bus, who will be applauded, who will be well … [Read more...]
Four Somethings
Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories. Gathering Four Somethings makes me aware of all the blessings often hidden under busyness, worries, and distractions. 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. As I began this practice last year, I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and use them to frame these life lessons: Each one reminds me to pay attention to these qualities in my life as gifts from God. Something Wise Kate Bowler shared this New Year Blessing on her web page. So fitting for all of us and a wonderful prayer to accompany my words of the year: Honor the thirst deep within. A blessing for when you want to change God, I carry around this incompleteness, this drive for fulfillment that always seems just around the … [Read more...]
Declutter
Declutter is one of my favorite chores at the first of a new year. A new year stirs up the cleaning bug within my heart. I want to start the year right – with a new calendar, a decluttered office, and a sense of control over at least something in my life. In January I like to ready, rearrange, and rediscover. Readying Don’t you love the old phrase, “I am readying up the house?” This phrase comes from a blend of Scottish, Irish, and German slang and means to tidy and declutter a space. Readying our surroundings involve decluttering, cleaning, and straighten up what is left behind from the previous year or season. In early winter I tackle cupboards, drawers, closets, and shelves. Those inside jobs that often get neglected. I take things to be recycled or donated. Rearrange Next, I rearrange those cupboards, drawers, and shelves once they are cleaned and put them into order. One big project I just completed was reorganizing all my bookshelves in my home office. … [Read more...]
Moving from Christmas to the New Year
Some of us are still celebrating with family. Some of us are already packing away all the holiday decorations. Some of us are still on vacation mode not quite ready to go back to work. Some of us, pastors, law enforcement, EMT’S, nurses, never got the day off. (Thank you!) Some of us are still eating. Some of us faced the reality of the scale already. Some of us can’t quite grasp the end of the year. Some of us can’t wait to get rid of 2022 and move onto 2023. But we all look at the calendar and see 2022 quickly ending and December almost gone. I found this great song by Matthew West that seemed very appropriate for this week of in-betweeness. So take a moment, hit the pause button and listen to these lyrics. Such a great reminder. “Day After Christmas” Here comes the letdown Christmas is over Here comes the meltdown, there goes the cheer But before we have a breakdown, let us remember The light of the world is still … [Read more...]
Share Four Somethings
Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature 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. Sometimes simple is best, right? I listened to my heart and to God and narrowed down my four categories and to see what they will teach me this year. Each one reminds me to pay attention to these qualities in my life as gifts from God. While earlier in the year I struggled with the whimsical category, this month that one was the easiest. God certainly surprises us! All the time! Something Wise A Franciscan Benediction May God bless us with discomfort At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships So that we may live from deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger At injustice, … [Read more...]