I enjoy watching NCIS.  On this television show the main character Jethro Gibbs has rules for his team, such as always wear gloves at a crime scene and never mess with a marine’s coffee.God gives us rules to follow.Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)When you think about it, most of us live by unspoken and unwritten rules. For example, always call your mother on Mother’s Day, don’t forget to say thank you, and look both ways before crossing a street. Some families have specific rules like don’t put the ketchup bottle on the Thanksgiving table (yes, we do follow that silly one at my home)Writing down your spiritual rules can be a powerful practice. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. It can also be called a Way of Life. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of … [Read more...]

You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by.  ~James Matthew BarrieSpring is my favorite time of year. The bright colors, warming breezes, and digging my hands into the cool earth awaken me after a winter of hibernation.  Driving home the other evening I noticed the pale hint of green dancing on the edges of the trees as the earth too slowly rises from its slumber.  After a few warm days, the tight buds on the bushes in my front yard shake off their drowsiness unfurling their new leaves.Soon every bush and tree will be fully dressed for summer.  I can’t wait.But why am I wishing away this early hint of spring? So often I whiz through the day barely noticing the emerging new life until it is fully here. For a change I pause and capture the inkling of things to come.As a ‘three’ on the Enneagram, I tend to live in the future - setting goals and planning my next step. I fail at living in and enjoying the … [Read more...]

Last week’s warm weather in northwest Ohio jumpstarted my spring cleaning. I emptied cupboards, reorganized shelves, and even washed the outside windows.  The silver tea service I inherited from my mother is buffed and polished. The house is beginning to shine.That is not all.  I made my appointment for my overdue mammogram and even had my teeth cleaned.  Sparkling though and though, right?Then I felt God nudge me: What about some spiritual spring cleaning? Mmm, good time to assess that, Lord.  I know the dirt and grime in my heart and soul contaminate my life and draw me away from God.  Here are five spiritual spring cleaning tips I am going to work on:1.     Get rid of clutter - Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31.   Ok, time to dispose of my judgmental and sarcastic attitude. Help me to let go of old habits and sinful ways, Lord. I have been writing a lot about my poor attitude in my journal. Periodically I … [Read more...]

“Those who sing, pray twice.” St AugustineLast Sunday our church organist played in an upbeat fashion. The music drew me into worship and I felt the presence of God. Music enhances my faith and opens my heart to see God in new ways.Music is powerful. The ancient Greeks believed that music was the gateway to a person’s soul. I tend to agree. The music we hear or sing resonates God’s inner music deep inside us connecting us like part of a heavenly orchestra.Have you ever thought of music as a spiritual practice? Here are some notes, musical notes, on how music feeds my soul:1.     Prods – Music prods my soul –“Hey you, awake from your slumber. God is here!” Music spurs my soul to soar.2.     Praise – Music releases notes of praise within my heart. I join a chorus from throughout the earth – birds chirping, trees rustling, whales singing – the list goes on and on – the entire planet praising the Creator.3.     Prayer – Singing hymns expresses my deepest feelings often when words can’t be … [Read more...]

Do you listen up or listen down? Hearing God clearly isn’t like turning on the light switch – suddenly everything is clear. Listening to where God is leading us often takes time, prayer, awareness, and hearing what others advise. Whole books and semester long classes address discernment. Learning this skill is a task we will never complete in a lifetime, but is one that is constantly being refined and renewed.When it comes to big life changing decisions – do I take this job? Should I marry this person? - I try to listen closely for God’s guidance. But when it comes to the everyday moment to moment living, I often go my own route only remembering God much later, often after I overcommitted myself.  I give way too much power to my to-do list and not enough to paying attention to the Lord.Reading my emails this week brought this into focus for me.I receive an e-newsletter called the Prosperous Writer by Christina Katz . She has authored two books - The Writer Mama and Get Known Before the … [Read more...]