Let’s start the new year with our Tending the Holy Thursdays by exploring the practice of creating sacred space. Sacred space can be both external and internal and is a pause, place and/or position where we can find God and ourselves. Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again. Joseph Campbell Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. Today we will discuss the types and why we need sacred space. Next week external spaces will be shared and we'll end with ways to create more internal space on the last week. As usual I wrote a free download to accompany this study, titled “10 Tips for Creating a Sacred Space at Home,” with suggestions for forming a space in your home and even some blessings for your area. You can get this PDF at no cost by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with God. Be sure to sign up to get … [Read more...]
Have You Found Your Word of the Year Yet?
Do you choose a word of the year? Many people participate in this practice – yearly choosing a word or phrase to frame or accompany them in the next 12 months. Some people will even say their mind didn’t do the selection, but the word settled on its own in their hearts. I have followed this practice for the last few years and am always amazed how the word weaves itself throughout my life. The word pops up in quotes, in my reading, in conversations. I hear it in prayers and sermons and presentations. I will be walking and an image of the word bubbles up. I hear it in dreams and in emails. My word grounds me, gives me an anchor for the year and helps me focus. Only one year, did the word never add much to my spiritual growth. I should at some point go back and reread my journal from that year and see if that word breathed more life into my life than I realized or maybe another word intertwined that year that I never noticed. The Origin of a Word of the Year In the third and … [Read more...]
A Writer’s Prayer
I wrote a Writer's Christmas Prayer as part of an assignment for my local writers' group. Our homework was to create a fiction/nonfiction story or poem to answer the question: What do I want as a writer for Christmas? Our inspiration included all sorts of gift ideas for writers. Thought you may want to see a few of the ones that were fun and stood out for me: Jane Austen Socks - so fun! Antique Style Wood Folding Travel Writing Lap Desk - so cool! Go Away I'm Writing Tee Shirt - brought a smile to my face But I digress...or I will be wishful shopping all afternoon. Back to my writing assignment. I was at first going to explore physical gifts like these or even imagine a far away writing retreat but then the muse called me to listen. I wrote a Writers Prayer instead and thought I would share it here today. A Writer’s Prayer Dear Lord, What do I want this year as a writer? What gifts await me in 2017 as a communicator? Where are you inviting me to … [Read more...]
Christmas Traditions – Jolabokaflod
Never heard of the Christmas tradition of Jolabokaflod? The word Jolobokaflod comes from Iceland and means “Christmas Book Flood.” The people of Iceland share in the wonderful holiday ritual of giving books to one another on Christmas Eve. Then they spend the night reading. The BBC reported in 2013 that “This island nation of just over 300,000 people has more writers, more books published and more books read, per head, than anywhere else in the world.” Jolabokaflod dates back to World War II when currency restriction limited the number of gifts that could be imported. The regulation on paper was more lenient, so books rose in popularity. Some historians think the practice dates back even further as Iceland is a country rich in storytelling and folklore. In November, a catalog featuring all the new books is sent to every household. Commercials on television is less advertising for electronics, gadgets, and jewelry and focus more on books. What a wonderful … [Read more...]
Advent Themes – Look!
Advent is one of my favorite seasons of the year. The candles, music, words, and themes stir my spirit and refocus my heart of the true reason for the season. Exploring Advent themes brings peace and depth to my walk towards Christmas. Advent is the four weeks before Christmas and is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. Advent prepares our hearts and minds for the coming, or “advent” of the Christ child at Christmas. Advent invites us not to do more, but to pause and be and listen and refocus on what matters. [Tweet "Advent invites us not to do more but to pause and be and listen and refocus on what matters. "] The next few weeks on this blog, let’s dive into the themes of Advent and what they could mean for our life now and forever. This week’s word: Look! Advent Theme - Look Up! I told the kids during the children’s moment last Sunday that God invites us to watch for him during this season. Look intently for his presence. Watch for his appearance. Stay awake … [Read more...]
2016 Thanksgiving -A Day to Give Thanks
Happy Thanksgiving from my house to yours. Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S. A time to give thanks to God for all he gives us. Take a moment to ponder all his gifts. Think about what we miss or ignore that provide for us. Breath in life. Behold the present. Be thankful for all things. A year ago I printed a free download titled "Questions to Nurture Gratitude" for you to ponder. If you want it again or didn't get it last year just click the button below to get your free gift. Thank you. Click Here to Receive the List May your day be filled with gratitude! … [Read more...]
What I am Most Thankful for this November
This Thursday in the U.S. we will be observing Thanksgiving. Though this holiday seems to focus more on food than being grateful, I have been thinking about what I am most thankful for this November. Often we offer our gratitude for the big, obvious stuff – the blessings God sends, our loved ones, friendship across the years, our favorite foods, health and even life itself. But this year my prayer have expanded. Thankful Challenge My challenge to myself and I invite you to join me, is to dig a little deeper and think beyond the obvious to those behind the scenes moments and people that need to hear our gratitude. Here are some examples: Thankful for the truck driver who brought the food to the processor or the distribution center, the workers who unloaded the food and those who stocked the shelves at the store for our convenience. Thankful for the farmer who raised the turkey, the potatoes, the wheat for our bread. The scientists who create new seeds to produce the food … [Read more...]
Advent Adventures
Don't forget to join the Advent Adventure, beginning today on Facebook live at 2:30 eastern on my author page and learn more about this holy time. Monday the topic will be what actually is this season and why is it important? Tuesday: We will explore the themes and roots of this time in the church calendar before Christmas. Thursday: I will share lots of tips and resources and ideas to honor this season. If you can't join me live, catch the replay. On the video I will share with you exciting news about my new book and a free Resource Guide. Let's explore this holy season together. This year Advent begins November 27. … [Read more...]