The Spiritual Practice of Kindness Kindness Have you ever stopped to think about kindness? I was surprised to learn the week of August 25- 31 is Be Kind to Humankind Week. Never heard of that one before, but the idea lingered in me as I pondered interesting spiritual practice. I wonder how the world would be, how we would live, how children would learn if we intentionally cultivated the spirit of being kind each day. In a world filled with fear and cruelty, we are itching for an outbreak of this characteristic. I hunger for more tenderness, politeness and respect. Kindness creates bridges, builds hope, and fosters gratitude. This loving act heals relationships and transforms lives. It’s easy to stay in our habits, our comfort zones of busyness and self-focus. Remember we are being shaped by our Father and his spirit dwells within us forming the gifts of “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” within our souls. … [Read more...]
Words of Comfort
Words of Comfort Keeping it simple today by sharing this blessing and comforting words. Life has been rough this past week due to an unexpected death. So I am resting and being with God. Probably writing this post more for me than you today – but sharing my heart with you. I am reminded of the classic story called Footprints in the Sand. I know I am being carried at this time: Footprints in the Sand One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has … [Read more...]
Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal
Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal Are you just beginning to write in a spiritual journal? I have a friend who is starting the spiritual practice of writing in a spiritual journal and she asked me recently for some beginner tips. I thought I would share what I told her as it may help someone else. I wrote a four-week series on writing a spiritual journal in June and you many find it useful to reread those words. Keeping a Spiritual Journal Types of Journals 13 Tips on Keeping a Spiritual Journal Harvesting your Journal I also included then a free download about journaling and you can request to get a copy of that by clicking the following button: Click Here to Get the Tip Sheet Six Beginner Tips for Writing a Spiritual Journal Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. --William Wordsworth Date your work – you will be amazed on how quickly times flies when you reread your words and amazed at what changes and what stays the … [Read more...]
What are the Best Decisions You Made in Your Life?
What are the Best Decisions You Made in Your Life? What are the best decisions you made in your life? Interesting question to ponder, isn’t it? What a great question to pray about and hold in your heart as part of living a reflective life. Last week I was getting ready in the bathroom. Of course putting on some make-up is part of my morning routine and as I peered into the mirror, I noticed two tiny vertical lines between my eyebrows. No, I wasn’t upset; I was happy. Those barely noticeable indents used to be deeper, wider crevices, packed with stress, worry and demands. I remember when I worked fulltime in a job that used to fit me well, but was no longer right for me, the furrows on my forehead deepened. But now I had less wrinkles! Ten years later – Then I acknowledged I am healthier now too. I weigh less. I exercise more. I am at peace. Then this popped out of my mouth, out loud so my heart could hear it. “Retiring early was one of the best decisions I ever made!” I … [Read more...]
How is Your Visual Intelligence?
How is Your Visual Intelligence? How is your visual intelligence? Ever hear of such a measurement? I didn’t until I found a new book by Amy Herman titled: Visual Intelligence – Sharpen your Perception, Change your Life. I ran across this book while working of the Slowing Down to be with God series I presented a few weeks ago, especially when we explored “O” for observation, titled “Four Outstanding Options.” Visual Intelligence and Our Current Level of Observation The skill of observation is important when living a reflective life, especially in the desire to slow down to be with God. Instead of living blindly or allowing busyness, interruptions and the world lead you, you become aware of those times when your heart isn’t tuned to God and realign yourself. But you have to be mindful, aware, intentionally observing how you think, live and act so you can make those corrections. You observe and retune to God. The world is full of magic things, patiently … [Read more...]
Are You Worth the Wait? – Slowing Down to be with God
Are You Worth the Wait? – Slowing Down to be with God Today’s question: Are you worth the wait? Welcome back to this special week on Healthy Spirituality – the 2016 Spiritual Summer School with the theme of Slowing Down to be with God. I have been posting all this week and then live streaming daily on Facebook Live. Today is my last day for this topic here and on Facebook where I will be live at 9:30 am today. The replay will be available later on my Facebook author page. I hope you can join me there for the video. All week we explored different aspects of Slowing Down to be with God. So far we have "set the stage" for slowing down to be with God on Monday and on Tuesday we began to unpack the word SLOW starting with the letter S and I shared Six Strategies for Slowing Down to be with God. Wednesday we explore listening to our language and the language of God as we slow down to be with him. Yesterday we looked at Outstanding Options we have for slowing down. And now we have … [Read more...]
Four Outstanding Options for Slowing Down to be with God
Four Outstanding Options for Slowing Down to be with God Welcome back to this special week on Health Spirituality – the 2016 Spiritual Summer School with the theme of Slowing Down to be with God. I am posting Monday through Friday and then live streaming daily on Facebook Live. You can find me about 1:30 eastern on my Facebook author page with the exception of Friday where I will be broadcasting at 9:30 am eastern. I hope you can join me there too. Each day here on the blog and on Facebook live, we will explore different aspects of Slowing Down to be with God. So far we have set the stage for slowing down to be with God on Monday and on Tuesday we began to unpack the word SLOW starting with the letter S and I shared Six Strategies for Slowing Down to be with God. Wednesday we explored listening to our language and the language of God as we slow down to be with him. Today we take the third letter in the word SLOW, the “O”, and explore four outstanding options for slowing … [Read more...]
Listening to our Language and to the Language of God
Listening to our Language and to the Language of God Welcome back to this special week on Health Spirituality – the 2016 Spiritual Summer School with the theme of Slowing Down to be with God. I am posting Monday through Friday and then live streaming daily on Facebook Live. You can find me about 1:30 eastern on my Facebook author page with the exception of Friday where I will be broadcasting at 9:30 am eastern. I hope you can join me there too. Each day here on the blog and on Facebook live, we will explore different aspects of Slowing Down to be with God. So far we have set the stage for slowing down to be with God on Monday and yesterday we began to unpack the word SLOW starting with the letter S. I shared Six Strategies for Slowing Down to be with God. Today we take the second letter in the word SLOW and explore Listening to our Language and to the language of God. Our words we tell ourselves and the Word of God make a whole difference in how we live. Listening to our … [Read more...]