Steadfast.  Now that’s a word I don’t hear often in conversation. “How’s your steadfastness?”  “Holding on tight. How is yours?”  Steadfast is a word we hear sometimes in our faith circles, but how often do we really check in on this virtue and how can we cultivate this practice? Bible Verses Steadfast appears in more than 125 verses in the Bible depending on the version and especially in the book of Psalms.  Here are a few: Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.  1 Corinthians 15: 58 But I trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13: 5 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51: 10 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26: 3 May the God … [Read more...]

Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four categories. Gathering Four Somethings makes me aware of all the blessings often hidden under busyness, worries, and distractions. These “somethings” become markers in our spiritual journey. With so much pivoting and uncertainty in our lives right now, being grounded in a simple practice like this guides my way.  Here are some recent “somethings.” Something Wise I really enjoy reading and relishing Mary Oliver’s poetry.  Here is one of my latest discoveries.  I hope I can live this way: Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs. How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity,while we ourselves dream of rising. How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken. How people … [Read more...]

Are you stressing when pondering your word of the year?  I don’t mean freaking out, being anxious, or fall apart. Stressing can also imply importance, weight, significance. Some years my word so preciously chosen in January fades by February. By summer I can’t even remember what the word was.  One year a new word emerged every quarter. The last few years my word has held steadfast, staying close to my heart, stretching me at times. Its presence feels like a trusted friend, along for the ride through all the ups and downs of our time together. I have learned to stress my word.  One way is to anticipate what I will share on this blog with you concerning the spiritual lessons I am learning. You, dear reader, are my accountability partner and may have never realized that. Thank you! My word pops up frequently in my prayers and journals too.  I jot down new insights to its meaning. I listen for God’s nudges to go deeper.  I ask how has this word changed … [Read more...]

Advocate is the name for the Holy Spirit mentioned in the gospel of John, the reading a few weeks ago in my church. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.’ John 14: 16 At first this word seems cold, harsh ,and maybe even distant until I dug into its true meaning. John’s gospel calls the Spirit the parakletos or Advocate, a term for someone who is called to one’s side as a source of help. In modern contexts someone may serve as an advocate in the court system, in the health care network, or in an educational institution, while other advocates may press the legislature to act on behalf of a certain cause. The word parakletos is difficult to translate properly because it has a range of meanings in the Greek, all of which are meant by John. English translations variously translate it Comforter, Advocate, Counselor, and Helper. But I have a favorite translation.  Here is a story I heard from a pastor: “A friend … [Read more...]

Little words hold power. I should know this by this point in my life, but I still am discovering often it is the simple, seemingly unimportant words that deepen our understanding and light our way. Minor words we don’t fully see that connect thoughts and sooth our souls. They exist and add to our lives but we don’t value or savor them. I see this wonder every year with my practice of adopting and exploring a word of the year. Two years ago my word was “Go’ and last year I walked with “all.”  Two unassuming words offering me wisdom and insights. This year instead of one word, God led me to a phrase. “Honor the thirst deep within.”  The obvious power words to study and explore in this sentence is “honor”, “thirst” and “deep” and I have learned from analyzing and pondering those words. Yet on retreat this year that tiny almost tacked-on word at the end of my phrase “within” sprang into my spirit and shared its story. To be honest I hadn’t paid attention to its presence but … [Read more...]