I saw this photo from the Hubble space telescope last week and just couldn’t get over it. My, doesn’t God have a sense of humor. Visio divina is a practice I have mentioned previously here and here on this blog: when we gaze prayerfully over a photo/painting/icon and allow the image to invite us into a conversation with God. I centered on this newly discovered space photo as my prayer practice this past weekend. One of my most favorite quotes – one that is display on my desk so I can easily see it as I write is from Anthony deMello: “Look at God Looking at you… And smiling…” Like a loving parent beholding at their sleeping infant. Watching us with consuming compassion and mercy. Picking us up, drying our tears and holding us as we sob. Smiling, not at us, but with us, tenderly knowing the depth of our emotions. What love we drink in as children of God. This photo brought me to several Bible verses to ponder and journal about: Why are you down in the dumps, … [Read more...]
Getting Ready for Lent – A Prayer and Resources
Henri Nouwen wrote this Lenten prayer, which is so fitting as we get ready for Lent as it starts next week. “The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you. Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Visio Divina
I have used the spiritual practice of lectio divina – praying deeply with the word of God – for many years but haven’t ventured very much into visio divina – praying deeply with the eyes of your heart, while gazing at art and other visual images. Until this week. NASA just released new photographs taken with its Chandra X-Ray Observatory Space Telescope. Along with the U.N’s declaration that the year 2015 is the International Year of Light, these photos invited me into the awe of our Creator and I couldn’t contain my praise as I danced in his wonder. Come and be dazzled with me in the Lord’s light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give … [Read more...]
Being Open to God
I was on retreat last year when I shared with the spiritual director my ongoing frustration of the divide between my head and my heart. I think too much. I deeply want to trust. I step out into life before seeking God first. I think I run the world, not the One who really does. Off with her head – I wanted to scream! My director calmly asked what image comes to mind when I ponder my head and heart. Immediately I knew – an hour glass. Open on top and bottom but constricted in the middle. She suggested I pray for a new image and see where God leads me. Odd prayer, isn’t it? Dear Lord, how do you want me to see my head and heart? How can I better visualize them working together not tearing my soul apart? Please show me, Lord. Over the next few days of the retreat God slowly showed me a new image – a tree. My heart is the roots, growing deep in his love. My head are the branches – intentionally reaching out to him in his light and love. In between where the restricted narrow … [Read more...]
10 Plus 1 “Don’t List” Items for 2015
I am often consumed by my to-do lists and felt the deep need to pause and imagine a “don’t list” to follow in my life. I read this old joke the other day: A guy who goes to the doctor because his hand hurts when he moves it. "It hurts when I do this," he says to the doctor. "Then don't do that," the doctor answers. Which is, when you think about it, excellent advice for a lot of things. The practice of reflecting what would be on a don’t list made me think and I hope take notice more quickly when I revert to my default mode of old habits and comfort zones. So here are some things I thought of for my Don’t List: Don’t say yes when I really want and need to say no. Don’t choose lazy and tired over fit and active. Don’t let my to –do’s ruin my delights. Don’t allow my self-talk defeat my determination. Don’t tolerate the world’s and my ego’s definition of success in distracting me from God’s plan. Don’t let my eyes revert to short-term detours instead of focusing … [Read more...]
Keeping A Journal – A Spiritual Practice
If you have followed my blog for a while you know I keep a journal. I find writing my thoughts, prayers, quotes I like, worries, and happenings ground me and give me a perspective to life. Keeping a journal is a priceless spiritual practice. Each year at the end of one year and the joyous opening of the new year, I reread my journal, summarizing events, reflections and ongoing questions from the past, then prayerfully writing where I feel God is leading me in near future. Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. --William Wordsworth How often you write in a journal, doesn’t matter – daily, weekly, or only occasionally. But each time we write, we capture a moment in time and create a significant signpost for our journey. I have tried various forms of journals and keep returning to a 5 by 7 inch, spiral bound journal found in book stores. What is new the past few years is I am cutting out more quotes, photos and using colorful pens for my entries. Some people get … [Read more...]
One Word – One Verse
Many people skip New Year’s resolutions and let one word guide them throughout the year. I have embraced one word for the last few years and found it’s fun to see how its meaning threads itself among the details of daily life. Often I don’t see it until I “harvest” my journal in a day of reflection. My word for 2014 was ENFOLD. If you have asked me a few weeks ago I would have told you I failed to hear my one word much last year. That is until I spent time rereading my journal and reflecting on the year – a wonderful spiritual practice, by the way. In hindsight I saw how God ENFOLDED me at multiple points of last year. And I know with some sadness that I have missed experiencing His hug by not paying attention. I focused more on discouragement, disappointment, and difficulties than on God’s presence. I hope not to live so mindlessly in 2015 and miss his lessons next year. Last year I even discovered a second word, an “UN” word that evolved as a compass for the year: … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Taking Your Tambourine
Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. Exodus 15: 20 “Don’t forget your tambourine,” the speaker said. Once she explained her meaning, I never thought of tambourines the same. She was referring to the verse above from the Exodus story. Miriam, Moses, Aaron and all the Hebrews were leaving Egypt. They packed in a hurry, taking only a few precious possessions that they could carry. Amid the chaos of a sudden escape, being chased by the Egyptian army, they headed to the Promised Land. Dusty bedlam, unknown future and fear also pursued them. God interceded and the waters crushed Pharaoh’s horses and chariots. They were safe on the other side of the sea and leaving the past behind, they began their journey into a new future. This is when Miriam and the women brought out their tambourines. Do you see it? I missed it the first time. See it? Before they left. Before … [Read more...]