Discernment is the theme for April's Tending the Holy Thursday posts. This week I am including quotes to inspire you when pondering discernment and some resources to help you along the way. Next week I summarize the lessons we all can learn by living a discerning life. May this deepening topic help you through those difficult transitions and just plain daily choices. This is the third week to explore discernment. The first week we began with defining and exploring discernment and last week I shared tips and how-to's. Quotes to Ponder about Discernment Enjoy the following words of wisdom and feel free to share them on social media and/or Pinterest: "It's funny: I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools - friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty - and said 'do … [Read more...]
Discernment – How to Make those Divine, Daily, and Sometime Difficult Decisions
Discernment. Discernment. Facing those difficult moments of deciding what to do can be hard, confusing, and sometimes life altering. Which way to go? Who will this impact? What will be the consequences? Facing a difficult time of indecisiveness and confusion twists our guts and fogs our faith. Even living with day to day decisions and making the best choices becomes overwhelming in a world distracted with marvelous, tempting, and also annoying options. How can we live and thrive and grow as discerning people? Discernment is the theme for April's Tending the Holy Thursday posts. This week we will explore some of the methods that are helpful with this much needed practice. Next week I will share some quotes and resources, then end with lessons about discernment. May this deepening topic help you through those difficult transitions and just plain daily choices. Remember discernment is more than decision making. To discern in Latin means to discernere - dis = apart and cernere … [Read more...]
Discernment – Divine, Daily and Sometimes Difficult Decision-Making
Discernment. Discernment. I believe we all want to make the best decisions whether they are major life changing ones or discerning how to best live in everyday life. Facing a difficult time of indecisiveness and confusion twists our guts and fogs our faith. How can we live and thrive and grow as discerning people? Discernment is the theme for April's Tending the Holy Thursday posts where I pick one topic to explore more deeply throughout the month. This week we will explore what discernment is and what it looks like. The following weeks will be tips, the nitty-gritty on practicing this much needed skill, then some quotes and lessons about discernment. May this deepening topic help you through those difficult transitions and just plain daily choices. What is Discernment? Discernment is more than decision making. To discern in Latin means to discernere - dis = apart and cernere = to separate. We make a choice but as believers we take in all the meanings, consequences, and … [Read more...]
How to Prepare your Heart for a Spiritual Retreat
I leave Thursday for a spiritual retreat – a four day silent one that feeds my soul. I love spending time in deep conversation with God and getting away from the noise that bombards me – both internal and external. But one thing I have learned from taking multiple retreats is to take the first step days before leaving. How do you prepare your heart for a spiritual retreat? A farmer wouldn't just cast seeds on hard uncultivated ground. A writer outlines a book plot. A cook purchases the necessary ingredients for the big meal. Priming your spirit for spending time with God is like any of these types of work – usually some preliminary prayer and pondering best prepares us. 6 tips on how to prepare your heart for a spiritual retreat: Pray – Ask God to start now to quiet your internal chattering, so you can listen deeply to his voice. Ask for protection for your time away. Ask God to be with your family so your worries can stay at home and not rattle around your spirit while you … [Read more...]
The Ides of March: Beware or Aware?
The Ides of March Today is the Ides of March. You know that saying, "Beware of the ides of March" coined by the Bard himself, William Shakespeare, in his play, Julius Caesar. I am sure you will hear it at least once today recited by someone. March 15 marks the date in history that Caesar was assassinated as predicted by the seer earlier with that phrase to beware of the ides of March. I was curious about the Ides of March. Here are a few interesting tidbits I discovered: In Roman times the ides of March was mostly notable as a deadline for settling debts. The Ides of March also marks the first day of the Roman new year and the first day of spring in the Roman calendar. We have more than one "ides" each year. Actually ides occur on the 15th in March, May, July, and October or on the 13th in the other months. The word's Latin roots mean "divide," and the date sought to split the month, originally at the rise of the full moon. The term –"ides" in some Chinese vernaculars … [Read more...]
Words Matter
Words Matter Do you realize that your words matter? Words are more powerful than we can ever imagine. Words encourage. Words empower. Words excite. Words equip. Words engage. Words entertain. But words can equally cause the opposite reaction. Words matter. Any one who has been bullied knows the power of words. I can still remember in sixth grade as we completed a study about the American Indian being called "Indian Fatso." Not only do I still feel the sting of the words, I can picture the classroom, hear the boy's taunting voice and even know which row my desk occupied. A torn jacket is soon mended; but hard words bruise the heart of a child. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Ever notice how negative words remain seared in our hearts and wrapped their tangled, deep roots around our fragile ego? On the other hand, compliments and sincere comments drip off our skin like water on a duck. Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; you can no more call them back than … [Read more...]
February Monthly Musings – What I Learned/Observed in February
What are Monthly Musings? At the beginning of the month, I share lessons I learned from the previous month. I call these my Monthly Musings (I have a free cheat sheet if you want to help with this practice you (see end of this post) and/or a printed book, Monthly Musings Journal, available on Amazon if you are interested). These are ways to incorporate the spiritual practice of reflection into your life and often I see God's touch and presence more in this rearview mirror look-back on life. I have been working on a book proposal about the value of the spiritual practice of remembering and living a reflective life. Doing this column each month has grounded me in this practice and helped me capture those fleeting moments of joy, learning, and life. February Monthly Musings Lessons Learned: My spiritual director commented - "We are so madly loved by God, we just can't resist him." She later said, "Do you desire God or the things of God?" Both good reminders and thoughts to … [Read more...]
Writing a Rule of Life –Resources, Quotes, and Ongoing Upkeep
Writing a Rule of Life Our in-depth topic on Thursdays this month has been on Writing a Rule of Life. We first looked at what a Rule of Life is and the benefits of writing one. Then last week we explored tips and examples. This week will share resources, quotes, and ongoing care and upkeep of our rules. Remember a Rule of Life is a collection of guidelines for living. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of balance by intentionally addressing all aspects of life: physical, emotional, socially, spiritually, etc. Resources for Writing a Rule of Life I found several books that were excellent is giving background, inspiration, and ideas for writing a Rule of Life. Of course I have to mention my own book, Creating a Rule of Life, Dancing to Divine Rhythms Soul Feast by Marjorie Thompson – has a great chapter of writing a Rule of Life and is newly revised. Living Faith Day by Day – Debra K. Farrington At Home in the World – a Rule of Life for the Rest of Us – Margaret Guenther … [Read more...]