September always reminds me of going back to school. I love to learn and this time of year I search out for new tidbits of information or new tools or techniques to stimulate my mind. What can I learn this year? On a side note: September floods my mind with childhood memories of getting new clothes and pens and pencils and paper and all those goodies. As a mom, I loved taking each child on a one to one date where we shopped for clothes and pens and pencils and paper and all those goodies. Now as a writer, September lures me to shopping once again. Funny how the calendar tempts me to buy, buy, buy. Now working out of my home except for my church job requires less fancy clothes but the writer in me loves to hit those school supplies aisles for marker, papers, and post it notes. Take me near a Staples or Office Max and my hubby knows I am a goner for at least an hour - wow they are as bad as bookstores for me! But I digress… Back to learning – lifelong learning. “I’m a big … [Read more...]
What’s in Your Spiritual Toolbox?
What’s in your spiritual toolbox? We all have them – the go-to tried and true ways we come to God and those little someday I may try that ideas. I like the concept of a toolbox. Now I do believe God is with us all the time and there is nothing we can really “do” to evoke his presence. He is the pursuer of our hearts and surrounds us and lives within no matter what we do. Yet often we can’t hear him, experience him, find his comfort and wisdom. Like the out of control, full melt-down toddler sometimes we need something to cuddle with our worn out blankie or much loved, one-eyed stuffed animal or just spend time in loving arms, to calm our nerves and find the peace, healing and love we so desperately seek. What do we turn to in those times? What do we rely on even in good times? Those are the tools in our spiritual toolbox. Some basic tools we use all the time, like a hammer and screwdriver. The spiritual tools like prayer and Bible reading are essentials in everyone’s … [Read more...]
What is the Most Important Invention Ever Discovered?
What is the most important invention ever discovered? I read the other day one answer to this intriguing idea is this: The QUESTION. I think there is some validity to pondering the process of asking questions in our lives, our faith, and our thinking. The question is a priceless tool for growth. Even God uses questions: But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3: 9 Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7 Jesus … asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" … He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Mark 8:27,29 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35 I love taking questions found in the Bible and using them in my meditations and journaling. Often just one question has inspired an entire multi-day retreat for me. Living a reflective life is a spiritual practice that … [Read more...]
Gratitude Is Powerful but Also Tasty
Our pastor shared this story last Sunday that has lingered with me this week. He was preaching on the text: Giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 20 I really do believe in the power of gratitude but never really considered how being thankful also adds joyous seasoning to my life too. Here is the story he shared: The late Dr. Fulton Oursler used to tell of an old woman who took care of him when he was a child. His caregiver not only expressed her thanks, but felt it and lived it each moment. You see, Anna was a former American slave who, after emancipation, was hired by the family for many years. He remembered her sitting at the kitchen table, her hands folded and her eyes gazing upward as she prayed, “Much obliged, Lord, for my vittles.” He asked her what vittles were and she replied that they were food and drink. He told her that she would get food and drink whether or not she gave thanks, and Anna said, … [Read more...]
Kindness – A Powerful Quote to Guide Your Way
I expect to pass through this world but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do, to any fellow being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. I have this quote sitting on my kitchen window sill. To be honest I have moved it from house to house, season to season and mood to mood. It is one of my favorite and has proven true. A powerful quote to guide my way. Some sources say it is a Quaker saying from the mid 1800s; other credit it to Stephen Grellet, a Quaker missionary. I believe its message on the value and importance of kindness. And kindness in a prompt manner – don’t leave that good intention on the shelf. My mama lived this quote and practiced its meaning. She would always say if you hear something kind about someone, pass that onto that person. Everyone needs to hear kind words – there is just too much negativity surrounding us. Smile at the store clerk. Use the person’s name … [Read more...]
The Invasion of the Party Crashers
The weather was delightful in northwest Ohio for our Fourth of July cookout. Food smelled great. The table was set. Games ready to go. Friends arrived. Laughter abounded. The Party is Crashed. Then the Party Crashers invaded. Four grey kittens and one calico kit invited themselves into our backyard to folic and celebrate the holiday with us. It didn’t bother them that two of our guests were allergic to cats. Nor was it their concern that one of my best friends shudders with even the thought or sight of these feline beasts. I shooed them away. I yelled. I chased them out. Yet they kept returning. I fretted and fussed over their insistence to stay. We tried all sorts of remedies to move our unwanted guests – all humane of course. I steamed as we finally moved our human group inside the house away from furry invaders. Two of them had to nerve (probably to spite me) to sit by the back door, meowing in their cute baby voices, tilting their cute heads and begging to be … [Read more...]
One Surprising Award of Deep Listening
As a spiritual director I have learned the practice of deep listening. And besides being beneficial for the people I companion, I have discovered one surprising award for myself. Deep listening involves quieting myself through prayer, stillness and deep breathes before meeting with someone. Then while I sit with them, I am open to the Spirit’s whispers, nudges and leading to offer silence, ask questions and pause before speaking. The focus is about the person I am with, their reflections, not my opinions. I am fully present to them. I honor the sacred ground I am on with another and hold that moment without judgment. I listen for the unspoken words, the hidden meanings behind their stories, where God may be appearing in their life. As I cultivate this deep listening skill, I have been surprised to notice I now listen to myself more deeply too. All those gifts offered freely to another: presence, nonjudgmental, silence, pause, honoring the inner stirrings, and sorting out of … [Read more...]
5 Ways Spiritual Retreats Transform Your Life
Why in the world did I sign up for such a long retreat? This is exactly what I lamented a couple of weeks ago as the retreat I registered for many months ago loomed and interrupted my summer plans and activities. Eight days is a huge chunk of time and energy away from home, family and my precious to-do list. But my mind was hungry to learn. My heart needed refreshed. My spirit parched. And God called. I am so grateful for the time away with God. My mind has been stretched, encompassing new thoughts. My heart nourished and my spirit drenched. The retreat was presented by Louis Savary, a former Jesuit and author who shared ideas from his latest book, The New Spiritual Exercises – In the Spirit of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The format of the retreat was a wonderful mixture of time learning, time of private pondering, journaling and prayer and time to share in a small group. Louis rarely talked more than 30 minutes on an idea, gave us ideas for something to work on, … [Read more...]