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...]
Five Notes about Music as a Spiritual Practice
“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...]
Listening Up for God – Moment by Moment
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...]
Epiphany – Time to Bless your Home
Epiphany is my word of the week.Epiphany - even the sounds of this word roll off the tongue in smooth, grace-filled manner.Epiphany. January 6 is when the church celebrates Epiphany, also called Theophany in the Eastern Churches, recognizing the visit of the Wise Men to the Christ child.The word "epiphany" also means to have a sudden understanding or insight. Reading about epiphany this year did open my eyes with a new understanding of this long time Christian observance. It also brought back memories of my 2006 trip to Germany.Epiphany is an ancient feast, dating to the 3rd century in the East. In the East, the Epiphany feast pre-dates the Christmas feast, although the West knew of the Nativity Feast before the Epiphany feast. Originally the Epiphany celebrated the Baptism of Christ. The Church in Jerusalem celebrated Christ's Nativity on January 6 until AD 549.The Epiphany feast was introduced in the Western Church by the 4th century, but the connection between the feast and … [Read more...]
Advent Reflection
RIGHT NOW – the manger, composed of ordinary straw and hay,waits,empty and open,for the gift of Life.RIGHT NOW - bird nests lie high in barren trees, composed of ordinary twigs and mud,wait,empty and open,for the gift of life.RIGHT NOW – my heart, full of ordinary clutter, noise, to do lists, worries and pride,like no room in Bethlehem,my heart has no room for You.So I slow down this Advent season and let go of what blocks me from YouAnd wait,empty and open,For the extraordinary andastonishing gift of Life.RIGHT NOW – I prepare my heart for YouWaitingto be filled by You,Waitingto be filled with You. … [Read more...]
Spiritual Kindness
I believe in kindness.The intentional practice of being kind connects us with one another, gives us energy to walk our daily journey, and brings joy that brightens dreary, lonely days. An act of kindness lingers in our souls providing strength and nourishment and is sometimes the only thread we have to cling to.I believe in kindness.It is easier not to go visit an elderly friend or to smile at the store clerk or to cook soup for the lonely widower. But this doesn’t make it right either. It will take me a lifetime to fully learn that it is not about me, my wants or needs.I believe in kindness.I believe we have to make our minds up to practice this quality moment by moment, day by day.Michael Roach tells a story about kindness in the book The Diamond Cutter:"The early Buddhists of Tibet were known as the Kadampas — they were simple people, herders and carpenters and small farmers, who took to the new ideas like fish to water, in their simple but exquisite way. They carried around a small … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – October 18, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – October 11, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]