Do you have a Rule of Life? A Rule of Life is identifying the essential spiritual elements in how you feel God wants you to live this human life. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. “A Rule of Life, very simply, is an intentional, conscious plan to keep God at the center of everything we do… The starting point and foundation of any Rule is a desire to be with God and to love him” Peter Scazzero For February's Tending the Holy Thursdays, we are exploring Writing a Rule of Life. Last week we looked at the what and why about writing a rule of life and today I will share tips for writing your own rule. Next week resources, quotes, and how to live your rule as an ongoing practice will be shared. 10 Tips for Writing a Rule of Life Immerse this whole practice from start to ongoing in prayer. Pray, listen, read, go deep – allow the words of your own rule to slowly emerge from deep within your soul. Create time and space for it to bud and blossom. Block off … [Read more...]
What Will Be Your Legacy? Writing Your Eulogy
If you were to die today what would your obituary say? What words would be shared at your funeral? Though a somber thought, thinking about this eventual fact of life makes me and perhaps you too - ponder our legacy. Ever hear the quote: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”? Thinking this was from Mark Twain, I did some research and discovered it is actually a misquote, somewhat based on an actual incident. You can read the full story here. But essentially he said, "The report of my death was an exaggeration.” So let's hope the report of any of our deaths is a false overstatement too, but imagine what would words would be used to describe your life? How would you like to be remembered? What will be your legacy? I began thinking about this when I wrote last month about Finding your Purpose series on Thursdays. I suggested this practice before on retreats and in presentations as something to try. But last week I read the new book, Living Forward, a Proven … [Read more...]
Writing a Rule of Life – What Are Your Spiritual Essentials?
Have you heard of a Rule of Life? Have you written your own Rule of Life? A Rule of Life is identifying the essential spiritual elements in how you feel God wants you to life this human life. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. It can also be called a Way of Life. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of balance by intentionally addressing all aspects of life: physical, emotional, socially, spiritually, etc. As part of my training as a spiritual director ten years ago, we were encouraged to write our Rule of Life. I keep a copy in my journal and my bible and often look at its wisdom. Am I adhering to my basic beliefs and do my thoughts and behavior mirror them? Over the years, I have revised them, but amazingly they are quite similar to what I originally wrote. I find having a Rule of Life helps me refocus on my deepest desire - to be with God, learn to love like him, and to serve him as he calls me. On Tending the Holy Thursdays, I present a topic that we … [Read more...]
Is Your Heart Prepared for Lent?
Lent begins this week. Are you ready? Is your heart prepared for Lent? I used to jump in at the last minute in my preparation for this solemn time of year pondering the time before Easter we call Lent. To be honest, often it would be two weeks into the season before I would think – “Wow, Easter seems early this year? Am I ready?” Of course, getting ready meant buying spring outfits for the kids and new shoes. Maybe decorating with rabbits and coloring Easter eggs. Ham for the big meal? Sunrise or regular services that morning? Don’t tell anyone, but often I would want to just skip the sad readings in my devotionals, the dreary February weather skies and hop right into green spring in Ohio. But now I prepare my heart for Lent differently. Perhaps because I am older and closer to death myself. Maybe the truth we call God’s love is finally sinking to my dry soul. I am more intentional about my Lenten practices now and dare I say, look forward to spending in-depth time … [Read more...]
Finding Your Purpose – Lessons Learned – Tending the Holy Thursdays
Finding Your Purpose - Lessons Learned In January on Tending the Holy Thursdays, we have been exploring finding your purpose. I encourage you to reread the first three blog posts about this topic and if you haven’t already, download the Spiritual Autobiography Resource Guide to complete to help you in your search. (See button at end of this post) This week the focus is on the lessons learned and I invite you in the comments to reflect on what you learned. Have you received any insights into your purpose or what new ideas appeals to you as you continue to distill this longing within your heart? Lessons Learned – Finding your Purpose God first – I will never have all the answers and can’t even find the next step without focusing on God first. The whole process of finding meaning in my life begins with him. He planted this hunger within me and I truly believe he sows the seeds of desire in my heart. As I dig and listen and seek for answers, prayer soaks the whole experience. … [Read more...]
Finding Your Purpose – Quotes to Ponder – Tending the Holy Thursdays
Finding Your Purpose – Quotes to Ponder In January on Tending the Holy Thursdays, we have been exploring finding your purpose. I encourage you to reread the first two blog posts about this topic and if you haven’t already and download the Spiritual Autobiography Resource Guide to complete to help you in your search. (See button at end of this post) Next week I will summarize this topic and add some of my lessons learned and will invite you in the comments to reflect on what you learned. Today I am going to simply list thoughts/quotes what others have written about finding your purpose. It is my hope these words guide you to clarity, stimulate your imagination of what could be and motivate you to keep searching. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love.” Rumi ******** “Decide upon your major definite purpose in life and then organize all your activities around it.” Brian Tracy ******** “Uncovering purpose helps to refine passion, … [Read more...]
Ten Tips for Finding your Purpose – A Spiritual Practice – Tending the Holy Thursdays
Ten Tips for Finding Your Purpose – A Spiritual Practice Who am I? Why am I here? What is my spiritual contribution to this world? Three very deep questions that if we are honest, every human at one time or another faces. Finding your purpose is an ongoing, ever-evolving spiritual practice and one we will be exploring together on Tending the Holy Thursdays in January. Today let’s look at tips to consider when finding your purpose and ways you might explore to identify your deepest desire. Next week I will share some quotes to ponder then finish the month with some lessons learned as we grow with this practice in our spiritual journey. The Spiritual Practice of Finding Your Purpose – Ten Tips to Test Story: What is your story? If you were to write your life so far, what would you title each chapter? Who are the characters, the settings, the plot, tensions, transitions, turning points, and resolutions? How do you want your story to end? Disney would have the story visualize … [Read more...]
The Church Calendar – What is the Liturgical Year?
The Church Calendar The church I attend follows the church year calendar or the liturgical year. This way of looking at the seasons is a bit different from the January through December block we normally use. What is the Liturgical Year? The church year calendar forms around the events in Jesus’ life. Then we too can center our lives, our worship, our spiritual formation around the lessons learned from walking and talking with Him. I love seeing the colors in worship change with each season of the liturgical year. Purple, white, green, black, red, pink, gold and others decorate the pulpit and altar creating a reflective atmosphere and setting the stage for pondering our God. Happy New Year begins not on January 1st, but on the first Sunday of Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas. Seeing the flow of time through the readings and observances from the Bible creates a powerful environment for worship. The seasons moved from Advent, through Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, … [Read more...]