I am surrounded by bedlam, disarray, and chaos. Commotion and change explodes both inside and out as we are in the midst of remodeling– here at home and to be honest, even our lives right now. Remodeling Home Our first project is updating the backyard with new decking and fence. My hubby enlarged his storage shed and my garden is growing weeds not green peppers and tomatoes this year. If you have read this blog for long you know I love the peace and quiet time in summer in my backyard. Nope, not this year. At least not yet. Memorial weekend found us on our knees – not in prayer, though we certainly could have used some – but ripping up carpet in the living room. New hardwood floors will be installed next week. Starting today my normally peaceful home will reverberate with pounding and hammering. I do feel blessed that we can do this remodeling, but enduring the disruption and disorder unsettles this introvert! So I seek quiet time extra early in the morning before the … [Read more...]
Monica – the Mother of St Augustine
"May 4 is the commemoration of Monica, the mother of St Augustine." I read this little footnote, in very fine-have-to-squint-even-with-reading-glasses print at the bottom of last week's church bulletin. I have read quotes from St Augustine and heard his story in some church history classes but his mom? I faintly remember hearing something about a St Monica, but really didn't know much about her. This being the month we celebrate Mother's Day, I think it is time to get to know a mother who apparently earned the right to be recognized by many church bodies throughout the year. What is a Commemoration? As believers, we are part of the body of Christ. This legacy exists across time and place and had deep roots in our history in the communion of saints. When a church remembers and lifts up a name of someone from our past faith history, we commemorated them. Many of these "saints" are not perfect, but all have a story that holds a lesson for our own personal walk with God. We see … [Read more...]
Where is Your Sacred Ground?
Where do we find sacred ground? A place to be with God, to experience God. A setting so filled with God's spirit you want to take your sandals off and slowly and reverently enter. An environment teeming with peace, joy, and love. Where is your sacred ground? I pondered this question in my journal recently. At first, I thought I never reached this place before in my walk with God. Oh sure, I have been graced with a few mountain top experiences but being on holy ground? Then God in his goodness slowly brought to mind all the places, the touchpoints of his presence. Sacred ground is all around me – I just never fully appreciated it before or grasped its holiness. Taking Our Shoes Off on Sacred Ground In Exodus 3 we hear the story of Moses taking his sandals off in the presence of God. Moses worked every day minding his father-in-law's flock of sheep. An ordinary day. Nothing special planned. Just work. Suddenly Moses sees a bush that is on fire, burning without being … [Read more...]
Ever Hear of Easter Monday?
Easter Monday? I read about this designated day three times yesterday; each time realizing I never thought about the Monday after Easter being anything special. Have you ever focused on Easter Monday? With the "big event" featured on Sunday – He is risen! – Monday seems a letdown, a back to work routine, a ho-hum-who-cares type of day. But after seeing Easter Monday referred to multiply times – duh, a spiritual 2x4 wake-up call – I figure I ought to find out more about this day. And what I discovered sure was interesting! I am beginning to appreciate the spiritual practice of being curious and asking questions to explore different points of view. Easter Monday Easter Monday is an official holiday in many countries such as England, Northern Ireland, and Wales. It is also observed as a public holiday in dozens of other countries around the world, including Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Uganda, and Belize, for example. Easter Monday, also known as Bright or Renewal Monday, Wet … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in March
March Monthly Musings What did the month of March teach you? What are your monthly musings? Life offers us so many lessons, opportunities, challenges – always a learning process, a refining, a growth edge. 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 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 March Monthly Musing Lesson Learned: Will I ever learn to pivot better? I am … [Read more...]
Prayers for Different Seasons
How does your season of life affect how you pray? Last Thursday we began to explore the seasons of prayer and listed the many ways to describe your current chapter of life. With 2018 being the year of prayer here on the Healthy Spirituality blog, this month we are looking at seasons of prayer and of life. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. This month we've looked into our reasons to pray. I did complete a printable for you called the "Seasons of Prayer Worksheet" which asks leading questions to help you explore and name your season, what emotions dwell in this time for you and possible ways to praying. You can download this free worksheet by clicking the button at the end of this post. Today I'd like to share with you some examples of prayers for particular seasons of life. I hope some … [Read more...]
The Color of Lent – Purple
My church changes the colors of the paramounts to correspond with the church calendar season. Right now purple drapes the altar, lectern and pulpit – purple announcing it is the Lenten season. Why is Purple the Color of Lent? Purple is typically associated with Lent, suggesting repentance and solemnity. Purple, as all colors, is full of symbolism. Its deep dark richness invites us to slow down and consider the sacrifices Jesus did for us. The Bible tells us that the garment the guard put on Jesus during his trial and beatings was purple. Thus, purple symbolizes pain, suffering, and mourning and penitence. “The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, “Hail, king of the Jews!” Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their … [Read more...]
Struggling with Balanced vs. Unbalanced Living
I struggle with the words balanced vs. unbalanced. My unrealistic expectation is to live a life fully balanced and reject the stress of being unbalanced. I've been journaling about these words and listening to God for insight and guidance with juggling these oppositions. Last week I heard a terrible noise. While doing the weekly wash, the load became unbalanced. In my morning rush I jammed quite a few items into the tub, thinking it would be ok. At first my washer tossed, thumped, and tried its best to shift the clothes into a reasonable jumble. Then it just stopped. "I'm done," it said. "I can't move and won't move anymore until you adjust my load." Here is the display: I wish I had a control button like my washer. One that would flash a cautionary sign that I am getting into overload with projects, commitments, and responsibilities. My Internal Balance vs Unbalance Toggle I did correct the weight of the clothes in the washer and she happily went back to her … [Read more...]