What is Discernment? Discernment, doing the next right thing, is making decisions while discovering and articulating how God is shaping our lives. Discernment is listening to God in faith to live fully in how he created us and called us to do in his work in the world. Discernment isn't easy. Sometimes life is confusing. The signs we see are real. Yet we still get lost in this world. Discernment I shared this road sign a number of years ago that was erected in a nearby city. Imagine you are driving north in traffic. You need to know if you should turn or keep going straight. Quickly what does this sign mean? I wrote on the blog post: "East is still east and west is still west in my county, Here Ohio 15 runs north and south for the last 80 years, but that is not what the sign signifies. In their wisdom of seeing the whole picture, the Ohio Department of Transportation replaced the road sign recently, striving for consistency throughout the state. State Route 15 is … [Read more...]
Being Aware and Naming our Temptations
In my struggles with my weight, I am trying something new when tempted to indulge in a snack or sweets that are not on my plan for the day. I can just look at chocolate and it mysteriously disappears into my mouth. I become the cookie monster when around snickerdoodles. And don't get me started on peanut butter or ice cream. In the book Atomic Habits – which I highly recommend – I learned about a technique used in Japan called Pointing and Calling. The author James Clear writes, "Over time, the cues that spark our habits become so common that they are essentially invisible; the treats on the kitchen counter, the remote control next to the couch, the phone in our pocket…we must begin the process of behavior change with awareness." Pointing and Calling was developed for the Japanese railroad system. This process once implemented reduced errors by 85 percent and accidents by 30 percent. It raised the level of awareness from a nonconscious habit to a more conscious one. Here is … [Read more...]
The Gift of Wonder – Book Review
This year I am exploring three WWW's – Wonder, Wisdom, and Whimsey. Imagine my excitement then when I discovered this new book by Christine Sine, The Gift of Wonder – Creative Practices for Delighting God – her words piqued my interest and made my day. The Gift of Wonder is available for preordered now and will be released March 26. Reading what authors give as their dedication often gives the reader a glimpse into their heart – Sine writes "to all who are learning to laugh and dance and play with God." Isn't that fun? In a more serious note, she writes, "We suffer from play deprivation, nature deficit disorder, awe depletion, compassion fatigue, imagination suppression, and more. As a result, I think we suffer from God deprivation too. I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering our inner child is essential for our spiritual health. It has become an important and delightful journey for me and is the central theme of The Gift of Wonder. "Awe and wonder, imagination … [Read more...]
Ash Wednesday and Lenten Fasting
Ash Wednesday begins this week, marking the first day of Lent as we turn our hearts and minds toward Good Friday. Then we can celebrate Jesus's resurrection on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday On Ash Wednesday, many churches hold a special worship service where the people are blessed with ashes, typically marking their foreheads with the sign of the cross. The blessing typically comes with a reminder that we all come from ashes, and to ashes, we all will return. The marking of the forehead has been a known custom since Pope Gregory the Great in 604. It has been said to have a twofold purpose, one being the ashes were marked for humility and mortality and then also for sorrow and repentance. In the 12th century, the rule developed that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Many parishes today invite parishioners to bring such palms to church before Lent begins and have a ritual burning of the palms after Mass. The custom of … [Read more...]
Here It Comes Again – Lent Will Soon Be Here
Lent is just around the corner. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten Season and in 2019 will be March 6. How about some quick facts about Lent? First, what is Lent? It’s not the fibers in your dryer…that’s “lint.” Lent is the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. The word comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “lencten” meaning spring. The symbolism of 40 days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry and being tempted by Satan. I like the sound of spring but hesitate at the temptation and wilderness portion. LOL 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. In most Christian denominations, Lent starts with Ash Wednesday, which is derived from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a sign of repentance to God. The ashes are … [Read more...]
Do You Wonder about Wonder?
I am wondering about wonder. This word is one of my three WWW's I am exploring in 2019. I introduced this theme last month and will periodically write about each of the W's throughout the year. WWW stands for wisdom, wonder, and whimsey. I felt God inviting me into these three words several years ago and been thinking of studying them deeper, possibly expanding them into a book(s). Why not start that journey with you all here on the blog to see if there is interest, enough "legs" to become book-worthy and to expand my own insight into these themes? I am starting my WWW journey with this word since Socrates wisely advised us that “wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” What is Wonder? A definition is always a good place to start. Wonder can be both a noun and a verb. The dictionary states that to wonder is "to think or speculate curiously or to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel." As a noun, it can be "something strange and surprising; a cause of surprise, … [Read more...]
Where Does God Fit into our Schedule?
Where Does God Fit into our Schedule? Face it. We are busy. Busyness is a badge of honor anymore – but one that wears quite thin for me. Life interrupts. People interfere. Chores need to be done. Others want and need our presence, love, and hugs. Saying yes and wanting to help with good intentions overwhelm our calendars. Unexpected detours arise. Emails and text messages chirp. Instant responses are the assumption. Facebook and Pinterest lure our attention and drain our time. We set goals then wake up later realizing how far behind we are doing the things that really matter. Exhaustion and distraction rule our lives more than our dreams and deeper desires. Where does God fit into our schedule? This is a question I have been pondering and want to explore more now and throughout this year. My desire is to have my life, my time, my schedule built upon God, not upon the weak crumbling foundation of busyness. Jesus didn't rush through life. I haven't found a parable describing … [Read more...]
Lessons Learned from 43 Years of Keeping a Spiritual Journal
Yes, you read that headline right. I have written in a spiritual journal for more than 43 years. And yes, I have them all. I haven't caught up with my great aunt Anna yet – I have her diaries from more than 60 years. Quite a treasure that I featured in this blog post. I reached high on the top bookshelf this past week and brought down my first three journals. To be honest, my 43 years have not been consecutive but since 1985 I have written every year – that alone is 34 years – still amazing to me. My first journal is dated January 19, 1976, married but pre-kids and I wrote about 5-6 entries. The following year I wrote 4 times in early 1977 as I was expecting my first child. Wish I recorded more during this key life-changing time of life – one of my key lessons. In 1985 I began the regular practice of writing about my spiritual journey in a journal – averaging 2-3 times a month. Interesting lessons emerged as I strolled backward through time. Lessons Learned about … [Read more...]