Joy doesn’t come easy for me. I tend to be a focused, serious, get it done gal and am envious of others whose smiles light up a room and whose presence brings delight. When I do my year-end review and assess my various life arenas – physical, mental, spiritual, relationships, work, etc., the section titled fun, joy, or brightness of life often rates the lowest. I remember walking ahead of my mother and her friend down the neighborhood sidewalk when I was about 4 or 5 and overhearing the friend talk about me. “I worry about your daughter -she is so sober, never joyful.” What? Me? I didn’t feel that way, but that description scorched deep into my self image. I knew many moments of delight as a child but allowed that story to tell me otherwise. I realized the other day I have believing that narrative about myself even though I know it is not true. I asked God to help me practice joy more in His way. I cast away the old way of perceiving myself. Frederick Buechner wrote … [Read more...]
Reading Roundup
A reading roundup is a collection of articles and posts one person reads, finds interesting, and then shares with another. On a ranch, they “roundup” or gather scattered animals into one place. A writer discovers and compile items of interest then publishes them together. Imagine you and I meet in the local coffee shop. Of course, I sip on the flavored brew of the day. Go ahead and have tea or whatever you fancy. I might say to you: “I read the most fascinating article the other day about…” “Did you know…?” “I learned a new idea…” Here are some of the reading roundups I have collected recently and wanted to share with you. Maybe one of them will resonate in your heart and feed your soul. Faith and Leadership shared this thought-provoking interview with Phyllis Tickle about the future and the changes of the church. Be sure to read till the end of the article about how churches need to be anthills. “Phyllis Tickle argues that Christianity is currently … [Read more...]
Let Go or Let’s Go
“Go” is my word for 2021 and for such a short, simple word I have been amazed how it has weaved its meaning into my life this year. For some earlier examples, you can reread these blog posts here and here. This past week “Go” tickled my imagination during my practice of breath prayer. A breath prayer is a very short prayer that can be said in one breath and repeated throughout the day. It is an ancient form of prayer, found in writings as early as the second century. The prayer communicates a sense of nearness with trust and dependency on God. Perhaps the best-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” That morning I inhaled “Let” and exhaled “Go” as I relaxed into God’s arm and surrender the many attachments coming between us. I loosened my grip on concerns and future non-existent anxieties. “Let go.” “Let go.” Then I noticed a whispered change, “Let’s go.” “Let’s go.” A simple … [Read more...]
11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer
Percolate means to spread or pass through. What a lovely way to think of prayer. To percolate our day, our time, our life in prayer. Percolate originates from Latin with “colo” meaning to worship, honor, inhabit, nurture, cultivate, filter, and purify. To allow ourselves to seep in and through prayer. I love that image and have been intentionally soaking in God’s presence during the moments of my day. Even last week in the hot humid craziness of a packed Disney World with long lines and achy feet, I smiled at God and thanked him for all his gifts. Beholding the word “percolate” centered me even in the midst of the noise of the Magic Kingdom. Once home I began to identify what has helped me this year focus on God throughout the day and distilled 11 ideas to share with you and hopefully reinforce and cultivate prayer in my life too. 11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary … [Read more...]
Medical Miracle
As a nurse I took countless blood pressures, but one man comes to mind whenever I see a cuff and stethoscope. I remember him because he was a medical miracle. I met him when he was in his 90s at the local senior center. I visited there monthly for blood pressures checks and health teaching, so I had the wonderful privilege and opportunity to get to know the folks there and their stories. This retired pastor was diagnosed when he was fourteen with diabetes around 1914. Diabetes was a fatal disease then because insulin has not yet been discovered. People with diabetes often survived only a few years. “My mama saved me. She worked so hard to find the right balance of food to keep me alive. I remember the day about ten years later getting my first insulin shot. What a miracle that was. I finally had hope.” He still struggled balancing his body’s needs and learning how best use this new drug. He sat in front of me that day, blind most of his life due to diabetes, yet … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Gazing
Gazing is the act of fixing our eyes in a steady intent look with focused attention. Gazing evokes feelings of curiosity, interest, pleasure, wonder and love. One of my favorite quotes and I keep this by my computer is from Anthony DeMello: “Look at God… Looking and you…and smiling.” Ahhh, to be present in the gaze of God, gazing back in mutual love. This is worship. This is being fully entering into the presence of God. This is communion. A moment of savoring and soaking in God’s love and us loving God. May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah – Psalm 67:1 Gazing Gazing has popped up in my reading and listening quite a bit these past weeks. I find God does that when he is drawing my attention to something important. Pay attention – God is inviting us closer all the time if we notice. “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And … [Read more...]
11 Apps for Daily Prayer – Divine Technology
How do you start your day? Me? Coffee, walking, and prayer. All with the help of technology. My coffee is ready when I get up in the morning since I use the timer feature on the coffee maker. What a great way to wake up with the delightful smell of coffee in the air. I am a house walker, walking throughout my house at a fast pace, up and down the stairs, listening to podcasts and working out with the goal of 50 minutes and 6000 steps to start the day. I love my Fitbit for tracking and try to close all three fitness rings on my Apple Watch by the end of the day. I also practice morning prayer and use several apps on my phone to help me slow down, quiet my spirit and thoughts, and hear God in new ways. Technology can be a distractions sometimes but also a help in deepening prayer. Below are some great suggestions to try. I think all use either Apple or android and most links go directly to the app page. You will have to go to your app store to download. … [Read more...]
Languishing and Lingering Lessons
Lingering and languishing are two words murmuring in my mind and heart lately. I haven't heard anyone said these two words out loud, but sense many people feel empty, depleted, and lack the energy even to linger and savor the present time. We fixate on the never-ending pandemic dominating our lives, news, and choices. We then play the "someday when we can be normal again" game, focusing on the future. Languishing "Part of the danger is that when you’re languishing, you might not notice the dulling of delight or the dwindling of drive. You don’t catch yourself slipping slowly into solitude; you’re indifferent to your indifference. When you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or even do much to help yourself.” Great quote from an article in the NY Times so well written by Adam Grant and titled "There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing." It opens with this sentence: "The neglected middle child of mental health can dull your motivation … [Read more...]