Image by Giant Ginkgo via FlickrIs having routine spiritually healthy?Lately I have rejoiced in the return to routine in my life. After months of much of my time not being my own, I now have days to write more.Each morning is blessed with time with God – in His Word and listing in His presence.I have time for that second cup of coffee and have even started once again some exercise by walking each morning.Ahhh, routine.There is a certain comfort to having known patterns in life, isn’t there?I fly on automatic pilot in my morning shower, brushing teeth, and drying hair. I know without thinking which cereal to grab with my handful of blueberries on top. My to-do list is doable with some wiggle room to grab unexpected spontaneity. I am snug in my comfort zone.So I ponder routine.1. Is routine good? It does reinforce good habits.2. Is routine not so good? It also preserves bad habits.3. Is routine something I should really desire? It brings comfort after times of trial and provides a … [Read more...]
Something More – Lectio Divina
Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary. But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in … [Read more...]
Morning Prayer – Quote of the Week – Macina Wiederkehr
Image by Velorutionary via FlickrAwakening from the slumbering nightI gratefully open my entire being to you,Receiving spiritual medication for my life,Vitamins of grace for my soul’s journey.Each morning as I enter into prayerfulnessI receive from your abundant medicine chestEffective remedies for a lack of enthusiasm,A renewed strength for the ability to love,A clearer motivation for my daily occupation,And an endless portion of health grace.Macina Wiederkehr … [Read more...]
Spiritual Lessons in Artwork, Photography, and Sacred Images
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...]
Hospitality – Welcoming Christ
Image by m.gifford via FlickrWelcoming Christ was the theme of my post on Sunday (see below) and the word hospitality continues to linger in my heart.In the comment section of Saturday’s post, Colleen reminded me that hospitality was a strength within the Benedictine order. In fact, hospitality is one of the key components of the Benedictine life-style. In his Rule, Saint Benedict says “Let all guests that come to the monastery be received as Christ.”We try to model our lives after Christ. Jesus paid attention to others. He really “saw” them. We see this happen over and over again in the Gospels.I know I get so blinded by misleading emotions, misunderstandings, and my own mistakes. I judge instead of tenderly trying to see from the other person’s perspective. I fail to really see others as Christ sees them.Then I miss Him. I don’t see Christ.Hospitality can be providing a meal, a warm welcome, or a place to rest, but I think it can mean so much more in our daily interactions with … [Read more...]
Welcoming Christ – Lectio Divina
Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Matthew 10: 40 Image via WikipediaWelcome.Lord I love the word welcome.You pour out Your gift of hospitality upon us for us to give to others.While I find it is so much easier to grumble and complain, to get frustrated or discouraged, I ask that with Your divine empowerment, I serve with enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and diligence.May I greet others joyfully with open arms.May I smile sincerely and listen empathetically with an approachable heartMay my presence be like refreshing sip of water to a friend’s parched soul.May I set others at ease and foster a sense of belonging.May I be transparent so only You shine through.May my heart and hands give without expectation.May I make room for others in my time, space, and care.May I erect bridges and form deep bonds in Christian love.May I dispel loneliness and build community.May I welcome others as I welcome You. … [Read more...]
Morning Prayer – Quote of the Week – John Baillie
Image via Wikipedia“Eternal Father of my soul, let my first thought today be of You,Let my first impulse be to worship You,Let my first speech be Your name,Let my first action be to kneel before You in prayer.For Your perfect wisdom and perfect goodness:For the love with which You love mankind;For the love with which You love me;For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life;For the indwelling of Your Spirit in my heart;For the sevenfold gifts of Your Spirit;I praise and worship You, O Lord.Yet let me not, when this morning prayer is said, Think my worship ended and spend the day in forgetfulness of You.Rather from these moments of quietness, let light go forth, and joy and power that will remain with me through all the hours of the day,Keeping me chaste in thought;Keeping me temperate and truthful in speech;Keeping me faithful and diligent in my work;Keeping me humble in my estimation of myself;Keeping me honorable and generous in my dealing with others;Keeping me loyal to every … [Read more...]
“Be Gentle with Yourself.”
Image via WikipediaI had an “off’ day yesterday. Couldn’t focus. My to –do list slept untouched all day. I fiddled with unimportant busy work to outright vegging in front of the television.To make matters worse, I am a “three” on the Enneagram, which means my personality thrives on accomplishments and concentrates on goal achievements. A day of doing nothing looks like failure.By the time evening came around my internal critic raced at full force.What is wrong with me?You are so lazy!What a waste of precious timeYou SHOULD have accomplished somethingI finally gave up the day. Take it, Lord, I certainly didn’t use it much today.Then I heard a quiet Voice within me whisper, “Be gentle with yourself.”But, Lord, I wasted today. I took Your gift of time and squandered it. I don’t deserve more days or warrant any mercy.“Be gentle with yourself,” He persisted.I could whine, feel sorry for myself, and linger longer in disgrace. Or I could turn my heart to God, listen to Him, breath in His … [Read more...]