As I wrote on Tuesday, I really like Michelle DeRusha’s new book, Spiritual Misfit. She openly shares her struggle with her faith in a real and honest way. Her words remind me of an incident I experienced in a Sunday School Class a few years ago. We were studying different people of the Bible. I mentioned the old song “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” and how the whole story of Joshua being obedient to walk about the walls of Jericho seven times always spoke to me. The message in this story reminds me that my job is to obey God, so God could do his job of removing walls. God wins the battle; my assignment is to be faithful. One of the other participants responded quietly that she didn’t know that song and had no idea what story I was talking about. You see, she didn’t grow up in the church and didn’t know the lessons from the Bible like I did. I didn’t mean to intimidate her and she didn’t take it that way. She was just being honest and reacting to my comment from a very real … [Read more...]
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
The last few weeks the melody of the old spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” has been echoing in my mind and heart. Its words haunt me. My emotions this Lenten season verge closer to solemn sadness when I ponder how much Jesus suffered. I realized how often I want to jump over these verses of the Bible and rush into the celebration of Easter morning. I missed the lessons in the whip, the crown of thorns, the ridicule, the horror of the cross and the silence of Holy Saturday. So I trudge through Bible verses I normally skim. I pause and listen to their rawness. I sit amazed at his forgiveness and defeat of death and sin. My answer to the question - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – is, well at least I am closer now than before. This hymn originates from the African-American slaves in the early 1800s. The lyrics reflect the terrors the slaves endured. Full of emotion I think we all “tremble” as we sing it and realize the reality of … [Read more...]
A Letter to Spring
Dear Spring, Welcome back. You were sorely missed, especially after the tough winter we had in the Midwest. I am empty from this past chilly time of year and yearn to see the world come alive. I know you aren’t fully here yet, but I see you tease me of your arrival as you drop hints of your slow emergence. You are my favorite time of year. I learn so much from all the seasons, but find hope when I spend time with you. When you come, I am reminded of the rhythm of life – the seasons change and sometimes are rough, but the cycle of birth and life and death continues. Rain replaces snow and washes away the dirt of winter. Spring reminds me that I am resilient, I can be courageous and even the depth of a cold hard winter, life does go on eventually. Where do I need to be less afraid and take risk right now? I love your light – days gradually lengthening like sleepy Saturday morning when we don’t have to jump out of bed right away. No alarm. Just a stretching yawning of a … [Read more...]
Why Do You Go to Church?
The Barna group recently released some new findings including how people answered this question: Why do you go to church? When asked if they attended church that week, only four in ten Americans answered yes. Americans not attending any type of church function at all in the last six months continue to increase especially among the Millennials. Barna reports: “Overall church attendance has dipped from 43% in 2004 to 36% today. But beyond a dip in attendance numbers, the nature of churchgoing is changing. Regular attenders used to be people who went to church three or more weekends each month—or even several times a week. Now people who show up once every four to six weeks consider themselves regular churchgoers.” I thought the reasons why people attend church were fascinating. To be closer to God was the answer for 43% with 38% saying they needed to learn more about God. Sadly the group also discovered that growing closer to God rarely happens. “Fewer than two out … [Read more...]
Finding Peace in Poetry – Robert Frost – Miles to Go Before I Sleep
I was a lonely kid in fourth grade. I hid in my imagination and escape to distant planets in the small tree next to the house. Those branches evolved into my space ship taking me on many adventures. Those escapades seeped into my writing assignments for school that year. I don’t remember my fourth grade teacher’s name. I really should try to find it, but I will always remember her kindness. I think she may have been the first teacher to nurture the writer in me. On the last day of school as everyone was scurrying out the door for summer vacation, she asked me to stay a minute. She explained she was moving out of state but how much she enjoyed reading my writing and how she hoped I would continue to develop that talent. Then she gave me a book. A book of Robert Frost poems. I still own that small black volume of poetry, a treasure from my past and a symbol of someone who believed in me. I love much of Frost’s poetry. One of my favorites and one of many people’s favorites … [Read more...]
The Presence of the Lord – The Spiritual Practice of Silent Retreats
The song “Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place” walked with me this past weekend as I practice one of my favorite spiritual practices – going on a silent retreat. Its words and music continue to surround me even today. The spiritual practice of intentionally taking a retreat – a time away from ordinary noisy days and spending time with God – takes me deeper in my love and experience of God than almost any other practice. I entered this time away with no expectations. In the past I brought questions to lay before God, issues I needed guidance or healing or even just a hunger to be with Him. This time was different. Several months ago my spiritual director asked me why I strived so much and had I ever considered just allowing things like creativity or guidance to “bubble” up. “Bubble up” became my mantra for this retreat. Now this was difficult for this plan everything and keep in control of every detail girl. Remember one of my favorite poems about God and the … [Read more...]
5 Years of Blogging on Healthy Spirituality!!
Five years ago I began blogging here about healthy spirituality. Let’s celebrate! Take 5! High 5! Today is my 930th post! To be honest I feel so blessed to have this space to explore my own walk with God and to share it with you. Many of you were friends before but many of you are now friends through this blog. Thank you. Five years ago my first blog post actually went live in February, but since we were traveling during that time I waited until today to tell you about how we are celebrating. Let’s celebrate in FIVE ways: I have a freebie for everyone – YIPPEE! If you look up at the top of this blog and click on the free resources tap, there is a new pdf titled "50 breath prayers." Prayer – spending time with God – is essential in our walk with Him and I hope you will find just the right breath prayer on this list to share with Him. One aspect of Healthy Spirituality has been the abundance of quotes I have shared: here are five of my favorites (and wow, it was really … [Read more...]
Recharging our Batteries – Spiritual Practices of Vacation and Retreats
Coming back from vacation I feel like I have recharged my batteries. Even the snow that still blankets the ground here in NW Ohio and the coming new storm promising 4-6 inches more of the white stuff on Wednesday hasn’t depressed me – yet. The practice of intentionally taking a vacation and scheduling a retreat lifts my spirit. I sure did enjoy the warmth and the sun of Florida. We visited with family, walked a beach every morning, reconnected with friends and collected new ideas at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. Ever come back from a vacation more tired than when you left? I have but not this time. I think the secret was a balance of rest and movement. We had fun hectic days and slow relaxing walks. I fed on new knowledge and fresh ideas. I stayed open and took the time to savor God’s wonders of the white sand, the crashing waves and dolphins dancing in the Gulf. The Florida colors exploded in my mind that had been dulled by white cold winter. I awoke from … [Read more...]