Last Thursday we met the Desert Mothers and Fathers and this week we will look at some of their practices that may help us on our spiritual journey. Each month on Thursdays, I plan to write about a specific theme that helps us discover and explore people and practices that tend the holy. Spending several weeks on a topic will add depth to our spiritual walk. Just as a reminder the Desert Mothers and Fathers lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries. As Christianity became accepted as an approved faith and no longer opposed by the governments, Christians continued to hunger for a deeper relationship with God. Groups of men and women lived in the desert or just outside of the cities in the Middle East and became known as the Desert Mothers and Fathers. Many of them lived like hermits, living in caves but did gather into communities periodically. Others sought them out to learn from them so many of them were rarely alone. The lived a humble, simple existence. We can gather ideas from … [Read more...]
Henri Nouwen, Questions and the Life-changing Practice of Gratitude
Being thankful and increasing the amount of gratitude in our lives can be powerful and life changing. On Tuesdays in November, I am writing about this spiritual discipline and exploring some quotes and practices that may be helpful. If you have read Healthy Spirituality for a while you know I love Henri Nouwen. I bet I quote him more than anyone except for the bible here, so of course had to feature what he said about gratitude. Great wisdom in his words. Savor them. “Perhaps nothing helps us make the movement from our little selves to a larger world than remembering God in gratitude. Such a perspective puts God in view in all of life, not just in the moment we set aside for worship or spiritual disciplines. Not just in the moment when life seems easy.” ******************** “Gratitude goes beyond the 'mine' and 'thine' and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, … [Read more...]
November – Tending the Holy – Desert Mothers and Fathers
Each month on Thursdays, I plan to write about a specific theme that helps us discover and explore people and practices that tend the holy. Spending several weeks on a topic will add depth to our spiritual walk. I call it Tending the Holy Thursdays. One week the background story about the person and/or practice (the who and what) will be given and then followed by a post with practical tips on how to implement the practice or a practice known to that person (the how and why). The third week will be a reflection of what I learned and ideas on how you can apply this to your walk with God. The last week I will share quotes, prayers and resources related to the topic. Sound interesting? Let me know in the comments if you like this idea and if you have a person/practice you would like to be featured. Let’s discover and explore together in our journey of tending the holy within us all. November – Tending the Holy - Desert Mothers and Fathers Who are the Desert Mothers and Fathers? … [Read more...]
National Gratitude Month – November
Did you know November was National Gratitude Month? Makes sense with Thanksgiving being celebrated in the U. S. the end of this month, but anytime we practice this essential habit will enhance our spiritual journey. Gratitude is a powerful practice. Researchers have found that practicing daily gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of wellbeing. Grateful people tend to be happier, healthier, more physically fit, have a higher income and have much more satisfying personal and professional relationships. But even more importantly practicing gratitude helps us turn our heart outward, focusing on God and his gifts. We find hope, light and strength in gratitude. “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Ps 118: 24 During this November on Tuesdays, I plan to write about gratitude. Today I want to share a great quote to ponder by Thomas Merton: “Gratitude is more than mental … [Read more...]
Spiritual FAQ’s
FAQ’s. We see this term at the end of articles, in instruction booklets, and following complicated explanations. Ever wonder about spiritual FAQ’s? What do people of faith commonly ask? What do you ask? I reviewed my readers’ survey and comment sections for FAQ’s and here are some I discovered: How can I deepen my relationship with God? How do I experience God in my daily living? How do I incorporate spiritual practices into real life? How do I live in the present and give my future to God? How do I keep prayer fresh? How do I make the best decisions in the transitions of life? How do I get through those tough times of life? How do I get my priorities straight to seek God first? How can I understand God’s timing better? How do I keep my focus on God with so many distractions and challenges? As I wrote these out I was amazed that all started with the word “how.” Sure a few of them could be written with a different word, but I think they express the … [Read more...]
Letting Go – The Prayer of Release
“Let It Go” from the Disney movie “Frozen” was the hit song last year. Everyone was singing the words from youngsters to advertisers and comedians to pastors and flashmobs. Letting go can be a type of prayer too. Often it is called the prayer of release or the prayer of relinquishment. Sounds simple but often, in reality, quite challenging. I turn to God for help with a burden or a concern about a friend/loved one. I worry. I am afraid. Anxiety drives my prayer. I give my distress to God….then take it back. Leaving it in his hands is difficult. What type of things can we let go into God’s care? Our attempt to control Our will Concerns, worries, fears Physical and emotional burdens, life circumstances, discernment and distractions Friends and family Attachments that come between us and God When trying to let go in a prayer, I come to God, quiet myself, offer my prayer, often picturing placing the concern into his hands. But after a few minutes or hours, I … [Read more...]
What Symbols Encircle You in Your Portrait?
Imagine arriving at the artist studio to have your portrait painted. You would poise in a typical stance, hold your hands in your customary manner and hope the end result showed your true self. What symbols would the artist paint around you to represent your life? I attended a workshop last week where we explored this question. Two Benedictine sisters shared the story at St. Benedict and discussed his legacy and his Rule. They introduced his biography by showing a common artist rendition of what he may have looked like including items that described his life. St. Benedict holds in one hand a book representing his most important contribution – The Rule of Benedict, the foundation of many religious orders' guidelines and still used today. His other hand grips a shepherd staff, symbol of his pastoral role for many who followed him. Most portraits and statues of Benedict include a raven, sometimes with a piece of bread in the bird’s mouth. Legend tells that Benedict tried to … [Read more...]
The Blessings of Being in Hot Water
Ahhh, hot water. I had a hot shower this morning. Now that may not seem like a miracle or breaking news to anybody, BUT our hot water tank died two days ago. We haven’t had any hot water. No steaming morning shower. My daily ritual disrupted. Cold water sponge rinses to the face. Dishes left dirty in the sink. Hands washed using anti-bacterial hand cleanser. Today we returned to normal with the installation of a new hot water tank. Simple modern convenience I too often take for granted. But not today. I felt blessed this morning with hot water. Ahhh, hot water. I have a spiritual practice of remembering my baptism daily in the shower. As water drenches my body and soul I say out loud: “I celebrate being a loved child of God. Lord, help me remember that everyone I meet today is also your child.” Now I could have kept saying that without the shower, but somehow the effect of cascading, delightful, refreshing jets of water brings me into this praising of our … [Read more...]