On our flight to Norway, I rewatched one of my favorite movies – Contact starting Jodi Foster. This movie has such a deep spirituality side that many people miss. Not just in the obvious story but often hidden in some of the lines spoken by the characters. Here are a few of the inspirational ones that I have pondered and held deeply within my soul: The following movie quote seemed appropriate for Easter season and when I heard it again caused me to look up and capture these bits of wisdom from this movie. We will find life when we seek the One who gave his life for us. I heard the essence of that quote above repeated this past week when the Artemis II spaceship launched. As we waited nervously through the countdown, I keep thinking about the Columbia disaster and those lost lives. I watched an interview of one of the current astronauts who said in my paraphrase: “Yes, this flight is risky. It takes courage and curiosity to go into space. But we are all part of … [Read more...]
A Delightful Mistake
I love to travel. I love to be home too. The comfort of routine. The adventure of seeing the world and gaining new perspectives. This year though I made a mistake, a delightful one, that involved our travels. We booked a long overdue bucket list trip to Norway to see the Northern Lights for March. Then for April we booked a baseball trip (my hubby loves baseball and we have been to all the parks!) to see the newly renovated Tampa Bay stadium and a trip to Miami to watch our beloved, though not always winning, Cincinnati Reds play. Great idea. Confirmed on two different pages of the calendar. The mistake? The trip ended up less than a week apart and that week in-between was busy, extra worship services, Holy Week. YIKES! How will I catch my breath, find the energy, and remember to savor and enjoy the present with this crazy booking back-to-back? I reached into the vault of past blog posts and found a post I wrote in 2014 – 4 and ½ reasons why I love to travel. … [Read more...]
Playing with My Word of the Year
I do love words and playing with words often brings joy, insights, and surprises. Words are tools for writers yet so much more. I see words as friends, teachers, and fellow travelers on my journey in life. My word of the year is WAY. Instead of seriously studying this word and seeking stoic wisdom (which will come in many forms) I asked this word - What delights do you hold? Yay Way! When I introduce WAY as my word of the year Barb Hergeburg left this comment: “When I first read your words, I thought you had chosen “yay”. Can you imagine what a journey that would be?” Yay way - doesn’t that lighten up a word? It’s like putting WAY in gigantic neon lights. We celebrate its existence in our life. When these two words combine, the height and power of WAY amplifies. Yay way makes me smile. No Way Jose! No way, Jose means ‘absolutely not!’ This expression originated around the 1960s. The exact origin is unclear. However, it likely became popular simply … [Read more...]
Four Somethings – 2026 Midwinter
I love to share Four Somethings – things I have read, seen, experienced that made me stop and savor life. One practice I frequently encourage is reflection – pausing and pondering where you are, where you have come from, and where is God inviting you into next. I share bits of wisdom in four categories. Gathering Four Somethings make 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 “One cannot cover the face of God.” African proverb I am reminded to take deep breaths and be present in the moment. God is here and yet larger than I can comprehend or imagine. And I am held in the hands of God and called beloved. You are too! Something Wonderful Do you burp your house? I think this is such a fun, silly term. Popular in … [Read more...]
Lent: Thoughts, a Prayer, and a Poem
Ash Wednesday is Feb 18, and the season of Lent begins. I always consider this time as an invitation to slow down, listen, and experience God. I consider what spiritual practices sharpen my inner vision and open the ears of my heart in preparation for Easter. Lent is the 40-day period of deepening practices. Some find fasting and repentance essential for this journey. I like to select a devotional book based on Lent and also see this time as a opportunity for more extended quiet time and journaling. I would be amiss not to mention the book I wrote for Lent, 40 Voices. You can find it here. I feel this year to enter Lent with silence, stillness and a listening heart. I hope to increase my morning prayer time with quiet contemplation on the gracious and grandeur of God and the love and sacrifice of Jesus. I am asking the Holy Spirit to show me what obstacles I cling to that prevents me for fully loving the Trinity and to create space in my heart for more and More. I like how … [Read more...]
Visualizing My Word of the Year
I find the practice of visualization to be helpful in my journaling, prayers and discernment. Using God’s gift of imagination, I “see” what is possible and find hope and motivation. Having a picture or image of my word of the year reminds me to keep listening for its lessons and helps me focus and pay attention. In 2026 my word of the year is “way.” I am learning to listen how I say this word. Do I say “a way” or “the way?” Is way capitalized or not when I “see” the word? Paying attention to this detail has helped me get to know my word better. But what does my word look like? I have absolutely no talent in drawing. I have tried to do sketches or calligraphy, but a toddler could do better. Remember I am the one who failed scissors in kindergarten and never really improved on my small muscle capabilities since then. I needed outside help to find some ideas about how my word may appear. I entered this word into one of the artificial intelligence tools and ask it to create a … [Read more...]
Letting Go and Creating Space in 2026
Due to the predicted drifting snow and wind, I postposed a planning meeting with the worship team. We would meet a week later but still have time to get worship details organized for the upcoming season. The forecast foretold of difficult driving and no one wanted to be out on the roads. Guess what? The storm never really materialized, and we could have held the meeting and gotten our work done. I bemoaned this fact several times to my hubby. He kindly remined me, “Don’t keep second guessing yourself. Let it go.” Don’t keep second guessing myself. Yes, that is a good thing to release not just for this event but onward. Too often I let this old habit of rehashing and overthinking take over my mind and sometimes ruin a day. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set … [Read more...]
A Blessing
A Blessing May cherished memories of last year yield healing, joy, and wisdom. May the dark times sprinkle your tears watering growth in the new year. May the light of friends, present and from beyond, guide your next steps. May delightful muses dance in your dreams bringing whimsey and life to each day. May your heart be open and willing to embrace new adventures with faith. May you find some silliness, a few surprises, and significant strength and resilience. May you walk with kindness in your heart towards yourself and for others. May you experience God’s lavish love in your soul, knowing how precious you are. ©Jean Wise … [Read more...]