May Monthly Musings In my Bible readings, lately the word resonating with me is “remember.” Like pushing the brake, I see this word and stop, noting how much God practices the act of remembering. Many scriptures teach us to remember too. But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. Genesis 8:1 Then God remembered Rachel’s plight and answered her prayers by enabling her to have children. Genesis 30:22 And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:10 In Biblegateway, the word remember is listed 264 times! The act of remembering, both how God remembers us and how we remember God, is a powerful practice. 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 … [Read more...]
St. Brendan the Navigator – A Story of Transformation
What do you know about St Brendan the Navigator? I never heard of Brendan, but learned last week, May 16, was his feast day and his story is an example of a journey towards transformation. Since transformation is this month’s theme, I wanted to know more about him. I choose St Brendan as our person of the month here on Healthy Spirituality. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. The first post on spiritual transformation is found here. Don’t forget to download the free worksheet called “Transformation Reflection Guide: Questions and Quotes to Quicken Change.” Each quote and/or bible verse is followed by a question to prompt my prayers, journaling and thoughts. I have left space after each one for you to add notes too. You can get this free worksheet by clicking the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with … [Read more...]
Whispers of Rest – A Book Review
“Wow! I need a rest!” I lamented these words yesterday out loud to no one expect my own weary soul. After 10 days of busyness, crazy schedule, dashing from one meeting/project to another, wearing different hats and carrying cumbersome expectations, all I wanted to do was to stop the hamster wheel. Reading is an essential self-care joy that renews my soul. I intentionally chose last evening to put my jammies on early and my feet up, snuggle under a warm blanket and to open a book. Ahhh, the tiring, tedious tension trickled from my heart. The quiet whisper of rest revived me. Whispers of Rest Whispers of Rest – 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul – a new release by Bonnie Gray, arrived at my home at just the right time. I received this book free as I am a member of her book launch team and feel so blessed to read its words. I am under no obligation to give a good review, but want you to do know this is a wonderful devotional to add to your time with God. This … [Read more...]
Transformation Takes Time – Special Guest Post by Ceil Ryan
Transformation is the topic featured this month on Healthy Spirituality. I am so excited to have today a guest post by Ceil Ryan, a Christian sister, blogger buddy, fellow nurse, and frequent commenter here in our community. I invited her to reflect about transformation and I am sure you will learn much with her thought-provoking words. Transformation Takes Time It's been about a month since we celebrated Easter. We all traveled through Lent together, a special time of prayer and sacrifice, ending in the joy of Christ's triumph over death. Easter was a beautiful day - temperatures in the low 70's, flowers blooming and trees budding. Signs of new life and rebirth were everywhere, reminding all of the transformative life we are promised too. Honestly, I don't know about you, but I'm still looking for my 'transformative moment'. I know all the grace that was gifted to me in Lent and in the celebration of Easter remains in me. But I seem to be, disturbingly, the same. I … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Transformation
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12: 1 (NLT) Transformation? What? Let God transform me? Change? Who, me? Do I hafta? Ideally, I should embrace and welcome God’s molding my life, but to be honest, I like my comfort zone, me being in control, and the knowledge of predictability and stabilization of what I expect. Note: “what I expect.” In May, here on the Healthy Spirituality blog, the spiritual practice of transformation will be explored. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Have you noticed the trend this year for my monthly themes are NOT my strengths, but practices that challenge and stretch me in new ways? I am sure glad you come along with me on this journey and appreciate the community support and shared wisdom. As usual I created a free download for you. I wrote out a worksheet for myself and to share with you … [Read more...]
FOMO
FOMO. I am seeing this term used more and more. This word has even been added to our dictionaries. Do you know what FOMO means? FOMO is the Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO is the uneasy and all too often all- consuming feeling we are out of touch, not in the “in” group. Or heavens forbid, we don’t know the latest news, gadgets, celebrity gossip or world’s funniest video. Marketers, sellers, and political persuaders use FOMO. Ramping up this emotion increases the urgency to buy and buy now or you might miss out. The fear you might miss something keeps us on social media longer than we want to or is healthy for us. We take our phones to bed with us, just in case. FOMO increases our anxiety. What if I miss the next big thing? How does my life compare to others? FOMO has been around for a long time in the form of jealousy, keeping up with the Jones, and “but mom, all the other kids have one.” Human nature defaults to assessing our status in relation to others and the deep … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in April
April Monthly Musings Spring has arrived in northwest Ohio. This is my favorite time of year – I love the new buds on trees, early flowers, and opening the windows for fresh air. Writing these monthly reflections remind me to pause and say thank you to the Lord of all seasons. 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 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. Monthly Musings Lesson … [Read more...]
Easter – Don’t Miss God’s Surprise!
God's surprises! He loves to give to us more than we ask for, beyond our meager human imagination. He lavishes us with love and delights to shower and dazzle us with his favor. Personally, I don’t like surprises. I like to know, to control what is happening, to be prepared ahead of time. But I am learning that what I expect is narrow, limited and small. God’s expectations reach beyond, is always More, and sweeping and spacious. I have to remind myself surprises are also fun, so it comes down to my ego and the misperception that I have some control over life. Life can be crazy, so knowing we have a God who loves us and enjoys surprising us with his goodness gives me hope, strength, and encouragement. God is in control and something good will emerge from every situation. I am slowly learning to watch for God’s surprises and take delight in them. God’s Surprises are Not New The Bible overflows with God’s dazzling unanticipated moments. George Herbert wrote, “Bibles laid open, … [Read more...]