We have all heard, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”  Do artwork, photographs, icons, or symbols ever speak of God to your heart?Henri Nouwen wrote a book – The Return of the Prodigal Son - about his experience contemplating and praying with God about Rembrandt’s famous painting.A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on a long spiritual adventure. Nouwen studied all the characters in the parable: the younger son's return, the father's loving forgiveness, the elder son's vengefulness, and the father's compassion. He wrote, “Constantly falling back into an old trap, before I am even fully aware of it, I find myself wondering why someone hurt me, rejected me, or didn’t pay attention to me. Without realizing it, I find myself brooding about someone else’s success, my own loneliness, and the way the world abuses me. Despite my conscious intentions, I often catch myself daydreaming about becoming rich, powerful, and … [Read more...]

I wrote a post earlier this month about the importance of cultivating connections in life. (click here to read that post) A fellow writer and internet friend, June Maffin, sent me a very kind email in response and shared a similar post she wrote in 2010.  She graciously allowed me to share her words with you today.Dr. June (Mack) Maffin was raised in Montreal and presently lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. She has just completed her third book: “Soulistry-Artistry of the Soul: Creative Ways to Nurture your Spirituality.” I reviewed her latest book earlier this year. click here for review.Soulistry is available in both paperback and e-book format through www.amazon.com and local booksellers. Check out her web site too.Thank you, June, for being here today and sharing your words:Community: Making a Soul-ConnectionI first heard the words from Sarah in a small northern Alaskan village where I was serving as a consultant with the Episcopal Church. The tiny, elderly, … [Read more...]

How do you recharge your spirit when you feel depleted? I spoke this week at two events where pastors shared with one another their need to for their own spiritual nourishment while walking with others on their journeys.  Pastors often take care of others before themselves, become overwhelmed by multiple demands, and face fatigue and stressors that drain their souls. Like all of us, even pastors need to intentionally cultivate an inner life with Christ.I gave them this image:Most of us have flown in an airplaneYou know the drill:  Fasten your seat belts. Find the exits.  In the case of a sudden change in air pressure in the cabin, oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above you.Then they say something interesting and I bet you can say it word by word with me: “if you are with a young child or someone who may need help, put the mask on yourself first, then help the other person.”Oxygen is vital. You can’t help someone else with this essential life giving force without first … [Read more...]

Kyla turned two on Sunday. We had a beautiful day –perfect weather – friends, family, and a gaggle of toddlers enjoying the sun, backyard wagon rides, and learning to take turns sliding on the new swing set.How blessed we are to have two sets of great grandparents, three grandparents, a great aunt, aunts and uncles, cousins plus friends celebrating life together.  I paused and deeply took it all in. What a gift to have multiple generations connecting.God gave us community. He plants the seeds to create loving, supportive bonds through family and friends. We live healthier lives when we nourish those seeds and help them blossom. I haven’t always appreciated this gift. I complain about the time it takes. I whine when I don’t see immediate results. I focus on the labor and not the often, invisible benefits. I let my pride and self sufficiency lead a lonely walk instead of enjoying the journey with companions willing to walk with me. Even in the age of social networking and instant … [Read more...]

The past few months have been draining. I am tired. I am weary. I am depleted. I am empty.I have a choice.  I can feel sorry for myself or I can take action and live.  I choose life.I have been in this dry place before.  I remember after finishing graduate school, working full time and being a mother of three active kids experiencing this same parchedness. I intentionally sought spiritual nourishment then and think I will repeat some of those steps now.  I thought I would share this plan with you.Physically·      Back to Weight-Watchers. I feel so much better eating healthier. When I am under stress I really hit those carbs and now feel very sluggish. Time to count points and make better food choices.·      Time to get outside to the garden and to go for daily walks. I am not an exerciser, but have heard the message over and over again – moving daily is essential and can’t be avoided.Socially·      I will not let myself withdraw from spending time with friends. I will … [Read more...]

      This is the time of year many of us ponder what we are thankful for in life and generally live with an increased sense of gratitude.       Living a life of gratitude helps us find the positive side of life and reminds us what is really important. Seeing the world through the lens of thankfulness gives our lives more meaning, more appreciation, and more joy. Gratitude balances life by counteracting all the negatives the world throws at our souls.     “Gratitude is like a flashlight. If you go out into your yard at night and turn on a flashlight, you suddenly can see what's there. It was always there, but you couldn't see it in the dark." (From Dawna Markova, Attitudes of Gratitude.)    “When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.”
G. K. ChestertonHere are a few videos to sprinkle some gratitude on your journey and help you make it a daily spiritual practice:Gratitude, Nichole NordemanPractice GratitudeA poem about … [Read more...]