How do you prepare your heart for pilgrimage? I leave in a few weeks for a bucket list pilgrimage to Ireland. One-third of the joys of travel is the anticipation of the time away, one-third the actual journey, and one-third reminiscing and beholding the memories after returning home. I want to be fully present and prepared for this special pilgrimage. What is Pilgrimage? A pilgrimage is a journey packed with sacred meaning. More than just travel, pilgrimage is a trip that transforms. I have written before about the spiritual practice of pilgrimage on this blog. If you don't know much about pilgrimage or want to read more check out these posts: Pilgrimage with Prayer The Difference Between a Vacation and a Pilgrimage I treasure how I grow spiritually on those journeys and thought of them once again a few weeks ago while reading the book, The Art of Pilgrimage by Phil Cousineau. Rich with great quotes, it was one of those books I underlined quite a bit. “If we … [Read more...]
A New View
I heard the grinding before I knew what was happening. My peaceful morning in my office erupted with noise and flying sawdust. Men next door were cutting down my neighbor's huge tree that long loomed between our two homes. The tree companioned me through all the seasons. As I sat in my glider for my morning time with God, I would watch that tree as I prayed, journaled, sought God. The tree that shaded my backyard and yes, rained down leaves in my garden. The tree that spun gold in fall and gave birth to new life each spring. The tree that housed black squirrels who dance in its limbs. I loved watching its branches wave back to me as we shared years and prayers together. A few springs ago we noticed its twigs were slow to grow new leaves. After a wind storm, big limbs dented the neighbor's car. The tree's fullness waned. Like a receding hairline, more sky peeked through the branches. Even the trunk looked grayer. The tree aged and died this year. Is it silly to … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in August
August Monthly Musings August? Already? The older I get, the faster time flies. And summer races by the quickest. Another great reason for taking the time each month to pause, remember and behold the past weeks and tuck into our hearts all of life's sparkle and lessons. How are you living a reflective life? Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musing Journal. You can use anything, scraps of papers, a journal, or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musing Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep track of the little things in life we often miss. Or if you want to click the button at the end of this post to get a FREE copy of my one-sheet Monthly Musing handout. What I Learned in … [Read more...]
Lessons from Spending Time with God on Summer Adventures
I learned many lessons from spending time with God this summer. I journaled this morning that I feel so blessed, grateful and busy. I am overwhelmed both by God's goodness and all the fullness he is pouring into my heart right now. I also feel like I've been thrown into a rushing river, not drowning, but being pushed along in unpredictable, wild rapids – exhilarating joy accompanied by exhausting journey. Remember the poem – A Bike Ride with God. Here is the link to when I shared it previously. It's a great story and to reread once again. Yes, this is exactly how I am feeling today, and God is leading, I am pedaling. What am I learning spiritually in the midst of this craziness? Surprisingly I am hearing God, seeing him in these experiences and finding lessons, especially in prayer. Time with God Praying with Purpose Dialogue prayer took form in my journal while I was on my 8-day silent retreat in early July. Dialogue prayer reflects the basic definition of prayer – a … [Read more...]
Have You Practiced the Covenant Prayer?
In the series as we explore different types of prayers, I have introduced prayer practices that are part of my regular time with God. Ones I do frequently like the prayer of examen and breath prayers. But this week I am featuring one I didn't know much about until I researched it more. The Covenant Prayer. I think many of us may have tried versions of this prayer but if you are like me, I never dug deeper into the details about it. The Covenant Prayer In Richard Foster's book, Prayer – he gives this prayer a full chapter. A covenant prayer is in essence the prayer we may say at baptism, confirmation, or an ordination/consecration. This prayer bubbles up inside my heart often on silent retreats too as a recommitment to God. We make a covenant with God and pledge our obedience to him. Our full obedience. Read and ponder this paragraph from Richard Foster: "We respond to the heavenly overtures of God's love first through the Covenant of Holy Obedience. Without reservation we … [Read more...]
Tips for Using Breath Prayers
This summer Healthy Spirituality has been and will continue to explore different approaches to prayer. With 2018 being the year of prayer here on this blog and in my faith community it is the perfect time to try a new way of praying and opening our heart to God. One of my favorite ways to quiet my soul to hear God is through the use of breath prayers. What are Breath Prayers? The Bibles teaches us to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) How do we do this? A breath prayer is a very short prayer that can be said in one breath and repeated throughout the day. It is an ancient form of prayer, found in writings as early as the second century. The prayer communicates a sense of nearness with trust and dependency on God. Perhaps the best-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” This prayer had its origin within the Christian tradition of the East and can be traced back to the sixth century. At the … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in June
June Monthly Musings What did you learn more about, observed, pondered and stretched your soul and heart with in June? When I announced last month I was only going to post here once a week several readers supported and understood but ask hopefully that I would continue these monthly musing posts. The answer obviously is YES! These are fun and in reality helpful for me to pause, take a deep breath and assess where I am in aligned with God, his purpose, voice and will. How are you living a reflective life? Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musing Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal, or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musing Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in May
I am grateful for May. May represents for me the full blossom of spring, though in Ohio spring never really arrived – we zoomed from a very long dreary winter directly into 90 degree summer weather. But I do love May and June. The new growth. Catching up with neighbors as we spend more time outside. Watching 8 years old playing softball in the neighborhood field. And of course sweet taste of strawberries. Yummy. How are you living a reflective life? Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musings Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal, or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musings Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep track of the little things in life we often miss. Or if you … [Read more...]