Reading and retreating - going on a retreat - are two practices that nourish our spiritual growth. In our everyday hectic distraction-filled life we need to be intentional about what feeds our spirit. Too often we focus on other people’s needs or give into the addiction of busyness. We neglect the holy habits that help us hear, know and love God. Reading My bedside stand has been full of great books that have called to me lately and I thought I would share a few with you. Yes I am one of those types that have many books going at one time. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly by Marva Dawn - I am revisiting this book as I attempt to honor the Sabbath more each week. This book explores the different dimensions of ceasing, resting, embracing and feasting - a very holistically approach to the Sabbath. Daring Greatly - Brene Brown. I mentioned this book on my recent post about Being Stretchedthis year. Brene researches the value of having the courage to be vulnerable and how that can … [Read more...]
Winter Wonderings
Here are some winter wonderings. February is the longest month of the year. Or least it always seems that way to me in cold wintry Ohio. I once suggested to God that He move February to between July and August, so we would have an extra month of summer sunshine and one less month of dreary chilly mornings. Of course He never did this; perhaps that is why He is God and I am not. (Anyway some of my friends from the Southern Hemisphere probably wouldn’t have liked that either.) Winter is a time of rest of my soul and reflection. During Lent and this frosty time of year I am wondering today about my Month of Writing Letters, my ongoing lessons about my word(s) of the year: STRETCH and ENOUGH, and my attempts at honoring the Sabbath. Handwritten Letters During Winter About a month ago I wrote about The Lost Art of Handwriting Letters and the Month of Letters Challenge. So far I have written and mailed 26 notes to friends, some I see often and some I haven’t even met. What … [Read more...]
The Power of Kind Words
Kind words are powerful. In the mornings I hear a chorus of chirpy dings as emails drop into my inbox. Notes from friends. New posts on blogs I follow. Headlines from a few news agencies. Yesterday one email changed my day. A person wrote me to tell me how much she liked reading Healthy Spirituality. “You never know how far yours goes but please know that you make a difference to a small Congregational church in Massachusetts.” Now I am not sharing this to brag or asking for more compliments. Mark Twain wrote: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Notice he didn’t say dwell on them, brag about them, or refuse them. He let them digest to build his inner strength and nourishment. What amazed me what my reaction to her email. Her kind words washed over me, refreshed me and lifted my spirits. I think I smiled the rest of the day. “One kind word can warm three winters.” A Japanese Proverb Her email also reminded me about my … [Read more...]
Practicing, not Perfecting Sabbath
For the last several years I have written in my journal my desire to be more faithful in keeping the Sabbath. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 I am a failure at keeping the Sabbath. I let my ever present to do list, my addiction to being online and my own ego driven desires rule that day. I focus my attention of the world instead of on God. Doesn’t honor the Lord much, does it? Then fellow blogger and Christian sister, Shelly Millerwrote about her struggles with Sabbath keeping and began a great series - Surrendering to Sabbath - on her blog, Redemptions Beauty. She even started a Surrendering to Sabbath Sisterhood for ongoing discussion and support. Shelly is sending out weekly emails to encourage us to keep the Sabbath; you can read one here. Shelly shared a wonderful quote by Margaret Feinberg: With rest, I noticed God-moments I might have missed before. My prayers grew clearer. … [Read more...]
Lent – a Solemn Season or a Season of Joy and a Little Lent Madness?
Lent begins in two weeks. In my church and I think this is true for other denominations, we don’t sing any Alleluias during lent. Why? I don’t know. I looked it up. In the season of Lent we focus on repentance and being sorry for our sins. Singing or saying the word "alleluia" has historically been suspended during Lent's forty days. The omission of alleluia during Lent goes back at least to the fifth century in the western church. Some churches even sing farewell to Alleluias the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. One other unusual ritual with this normal expression of praise is “burying the alleluias.” Yep, you read that correctly. Some churches make an alleluia from paper, fabric, metal, wood, or some other natural material that may be carried in procession or might lead a parade accompanied by instruments and singing. Burial could take place in the ground, or the alleluia could simply be placed in a suitable container that will remain in the worship space as a visual … [Read more...]
The Lost Art of a Handwritten Letter
My dad served in WWII, most of the time as a surgeon in a hospital in the Philippians. I cherish the six letters he wrote to my mom that were decorated by a recovering patient. What I treasure most though is his handwriting. Perhaps that is why I read in interest a blog last week, Yearning for God, about a month of letters challenge. A month of letters began in 2012 by writer Mary Robinette Kowal. Her idea is simple - write one letter each day in February. You can read more and sign up on this website. Her rules are easy: “1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch. 2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items. 3. All you are committing to is to mail 23 items. Why 23? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 23 items. You … [Read more...]
No Regrets – Why I am Seeking a God-sized Dream
Bill and I had been married a couple of years when my brother, who was serving in the Army, was stationed in Germany. “Come over and visit us” was his invitation. We talked about going. We saved the money. We never went. We let life’s worries and “what if’s” block an opportunity and we have regretted it ever since. Bill and I often use this decision from early in our married life as a plum line for discernment. Will we regret not taking this opportunity? Will we look back later in life and say we should have? “The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown Holly Gerth has been challenging us to discover and explore God-sized dreams. She has invited us to say yes to a God sized Dream. She explains her project on her blog here: She writes: “This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of … [Read more...]
Savoring Sisterhood
We had dinner with college friends last week. Friends we hadn’t seen for a while, but who continue to delightfully cross our paths for 40 years. What a sisterhood and brotherhood, these friends are. Driving home I marveled - how time and distance separate us, yet once together we chat, giggle and share like old times. Immediately we are back on each other’s wavelength listening and caring. Friendship is priceless. What a miracle! On my spiritual journey I have learned when a good experience comes along - whether it is of God, in relationships or any life’s uplifting surprises, my best response is taking the time to be grateful and to savor that moment. Savor means to fully enjoy, relish, cherish. To hold and ponder this wonderful gift. To appreciate. I value these friendships from all stages of my life: Chrissy and Wendywho I met in 6th grade and continue to bless me and are the sisters God gave me since I have only brothers in my family. Herb, Kathy, Don, Margie, … [Read more...]