March Monthly Musings Wow the first quarter of the year is gone, evaporated, finished and departed. Where does time go? I know writing these monthly musings helps me pause, reflect and appreciate the gift of time and life. Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living this reflective practice helps me slow down and savor this precious gift of life we’ve been given and all the gifts to be discovered given by such a loving, gracious God. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us, especially at this most sacred time of year. 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 … [Read more...]
The Art of Pilgrimage: Healthy Spirituality Book Chat
The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred by Phil Cousineau is this month’s Healthy Spirituality Book Chat selection. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I want to feature a Christian book that I am reading or want to reread. To be honest, I have a towering pile of books I want to read, but never seem to get to and now by telling you this idea, I am hoping I take the time for more reading and study in my own spiritual journey. I also have a several “top shelf” books, that I have read previously and loved and want to dig back into their words once again. I yearn to go deeper and less shallow in my spiritual walk. With this monthly Book Chat, we will take a look at a book and glean a lesson to nourish a healthy spirituality. To stretch myself, in addition to what I share in writing on this blog, I want to include a video about the book and a second insight from its words. I may even try doing this as live streaming on Facebook Live. YIKES! The Art of … [Read more...]
HYGGE – An Innovative Word for Your Vocabulary and Life
Hygge – have you noticed this word? I see it everywhere on the internet and in ads. I am not even sure how to pronounce it, let alone know its meaning. My spell check is going crazy as I type this, since it is an unknown word even to that wise evaluator of my work. A little investigation and learning is in order, I do believe. Let’s learn about this innovative word to add to our vocabulary and our life. "When the fiddle had stopped singing Laura called out softly, "What are days of auld lang syne, Pa?" "They are the days of a long time ago, Laura," Pa said. "Go to sleep, now." But Laura lay awake a little while, listening to Pa's fiddle softly playing and to the lonely sound of the wind in the Big Woods,… She was glad that the cozy house, and Pa and Ma and the firelight and the music, were now. They could not be forgotten, she thought, because now is now. It can never be a long time ago." Laura Ingalls Wilder What Is Hygge? Hygge originated from Norway, adopted firmly by the … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in February
February Monthly Musings February may be the shortest month of the year, but in cold NW Ohio the days are dark, dreary and drawn-out. Today as I write this, there is sunshine and by the time you read this, I will be in sunny warm Florida on vacation – life is good and so is God! Each month I pause and look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living this reflective practice helps me slow down and savor this precious gift of life we’ve been given and all the gifts to be discovered given by such a loving, gracious God. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us, especially at this most sacred time of year. 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...]
How to Observe Lent and Be Ready for Easter
How to Observe Lent and Be Ready for Easter Lent begins this year on March 1 and Easter arrives April 16. If we start thinking now how to spend these next 40 days preparing our hearts for Easter, we can be better ready to start on Ash Wednesday. Two weeks ago, I shared a little about the Lenten seasons, what it is and the 5 A’s of getting ready. I loved Henri Nouwen’s quote too. This week let’s explore different ways to observe Lent that bring us closer to God during this time, so we are ready to hear the Easter message in April. Hold this question in your heart: When you wake up on Easter morning, how will you be different? 4 Ways to Observe Lent The Internet and Pinterest overflow with specific ways to observe Lent. Here are four broad categories of activities with a few examples in each one to inspire you on how you get your heart ready for Easter. The four types of Lenten ideas are Clear out, Climb in, Care for, and Cheer up. Observe Lent - Clear Out If we picture … [Read more...]
Falling in Love with God on Valentine’s Day
Falling in Love with God on Valentine’s Day During the children’s moment at church on Sunday we talked about Valentine’s Day and how this day gives us an opportunity to tell the ones we love how much we do love them. I took the kids over to the painting in front of the church and we looked at Jesus praying. Who is he talking with? Who is Jesus listening to? Do you think they are telling each other about their love for one another? A few years ago, I read a reflection where the writer wrote how much she loved God and was falling in love with God more and more. It was at that point, I realized though, I felt I had a good relationship with God, I was NOT madly in love with him. God and I had an honest conversation about the distance of my heart from his. I asked him to help me fall in love with him. God answered that prayer and now I find myself over and over again amazed at his love, head over heels in love with the Creator and wanting to spend time with my … [Read more...]
How to Strengthen Your Prayer Life
One of the most common answers shown in last fall’s readers’ survey was this concern: How to strengthen your prayer life. Prayer is a foundation for all healthy spirituality and most of us have a strong desire to be with God more deeply in prayer. Exploring our prayer life and ways to strengthen and enhance how we prayer is this month’s Tending the Holy Thursday series. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore. Prayer became an obvious choice after reading the survey results. Each month I also include a free download to accompany the month’s topic. This month I took a PDF I offered one time last year and expanded it to include new information. “Prayer: 13 Ideas for Keeping Prayer Fresh” is available at no cost by clicking the button at the end of this post. I added ideas for prayer triggers and included a list of well-loved prayers from others besides adding new resources. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in January
January Monthly Musings One-twelfth of the year is gone already. Wow. Time seems to speed faster and faster, doesn’t it? Just one reason why stopping and capturing the moments each month has become a valuable practice for me. Each month I pause and look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living this reflective practice helps me slow down and savor this precious gift of life we’ve been given and all the gifts to be discovered given by such a loving, gracious God. 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 … [Read more...]