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...]
What a Japanese Pruning Technique Can Teach Us about Our Own Souls
I am excited to start the new year with a guest post from one of my favorite authors: Michelle DeRusha. Thanks for being here today Michelle with these insightful words to begin this first step into 2019. Two years ago on a warm June morning, my husband, our two boys, and I met Marsha, a volunteer guide, just inside the front gate of the Portland Japanese Garden. As we followed Marsha across petite wooden bridges, along with pea gravel paths, and overstepping stones set into spongy moss, the garden seemed to wrap us in a shawl of quiet. We spoke in whispers as we strolled, a lullaby of flowing water melding with the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath our shoes. Our guide paused beside a large Japanese maple poised regal and elegant like a grand dame on a small, moss-covered hill. Its delicate chartreuse leaves fanned like antique lace over an elaborate network of dark limbs and branches spreading like veins beneath the canopy. Marsha explained that a particular Japanese … [Read more...]
How Does Art Enhance Prayer?
How does art enhance prayer? I miss being creative. With my head dug deep into a graduate course this past 6 months, my spirit is dry. Time to brush off the creative juices and find joy in my life, especially in my prayers. This will be a major goal of mine in 2019 - to be more creative. I am so excited to share the words today from a wonderful creative and friend - Therese Kay. Therese is a writer and photographer, and lover of God. She recently collaborated on a visual devotional featuring her photography called Messages from God: An Illuminated Devotional. You can read her blog here: https://therese-kay.blogspot.com/p/home.html and see more of her photography here: https://theresekayphotography.zenfolio.com/ Welcome, Theresa! Art and prayer have shared an intimate relationship since God appointed the skilled craftsmen, Bezalel and Oholiab, to create the artistic designs for the Tabernacle in Exodus 31:1-6. As humans, we were created and formed in God’s image – and … [Read more...]
5 Themes in Celtic Christianity
What themes emerge from Celtic Christianity? In preparation for my upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, I have been digging deep into reading about this country, long on my bucket list, rich with spirituality, and enfolding my Irish heritage. Here are a few of the patterns, the themes in Celtic Christianity: Soul Companions – Last week I meet with someone I knew immediately was a soul sister. We shared the same interests and struggles. With her every story, I felt a connection. Celtic Christianity calls this soul friendships and an anamchara, a soul friend. They inspire us to open our hearts to live a more Christ-like life and to obtain more wholeness. We are not meant to travel this life journey alone – we all need a few soul companions. “A person without a soul friend is like a body without a head.” Brigid of Kildare Thin Places – A strong Celtic theme is seeing life as a journey. On this journey certain places are significant, they are “thin places”, where God seems closer, … [Read more...]
Invitation to Retreat – New Book by Ruth Haley Barton
Here is your invitation to retreat – Dear Beloved Child of God Your presence is requested in my Presence. You are invited to come away with me. This time is my gift to you – being together with your Creator, Savior, and Spirit. This time is also my summons, a necessity for your soul-health. Come. Be. Retreat. The spiritual practice of going on retreat is a discipline I have experienced and believe is one of the most essential tools for nurturing my spirit. I have written about this practice in the past on several blog posts such as How to Prepare Your Heart for Spiritual Retreat and 5 Ways Spiritual Retreats Transform Your Life. I even wrote a book called Spiritual Retreats in response to a friend's questions about my practice. I was thrilled to hear about a new book on this topic by one of my favorite authors. What a great combination! Ruth Haley Barton just released her latest title: Invitation to Retreat – the Gift and Necessity of Time Away … [Read more...]