Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26 this year of 2020. Each year I listen for a theme for these holy 40 days before Easter and pray I lean into Lent with openness and obedience. Letting go is a practice calling to me this year. Letting go creates space for God, for my own spirit, for others to enter in. This follows well my theme and word for the year. Letting go is a path of subtraction, not addition. Letting go of what draws me away from God instead of closer to the Lord. Of holding my palms upward, holding all things lightly and given to God to do as he wills. Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, advocated making a regular practice of letting go: "To sum up, dear friend of Mine, unclench your fists, and let everything fly out of your hands. Clean yourself up nicely and stay faithful to your Creator." During Lent this year, I plan to listen. I hope to list all and any attachments that sidetrack me from keeping my eyes always on the … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in January
January Monthly Musings In January we entered a new decade. I wrote about my yearly and decade review on this post and drew many comments and emails about this process. My Bishop prays and names each decade of his life with a theme; growth, prayer, study, etc. Since writing about my decade review and lessons, I have read what others have written too: Why You Should Plan your Life on a Decade Leve Guidelines for navigating the new decade ahead 11 Questions to help you set meaning goals for the next decade. I guess my work continues on this adventure towards 2030. I do find the spiritual practices of listening and reflection to be powerful. That is why I share these monthly musings on a regular basis. Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all … [Read more...]
20/20 Vision for 2020
20/20 vision? Don't you love the play on this year's name? Churches, organizations, and even individuals are exploring and updating their vision and thoughtful sense of direction as we step into the new decade. Two stories to consider as we look forward to where God may be leading us on our spiritual journey. Story Number One about Vision I was a chubby sixth-grader when the school nurse sent home a note saying I failed the routine eye exam. Already not very attractive and bullied for my appearance, I dreaded having to add glasses to my round face. My sight was no way near 20/20 vision. I was not a happy gal. Mom took me to the eye doctor and yes, the nurse was correct – I needed glasses. Remember those old-style frames with the flared upper outside edges. Ugly! About two weeks later we picked up the new glasses and I slouched in the backseat of the car as we drove home. I lowered my head, trying to hide, fearful what others would say. … [Read more...]
What is Sacred Space? My Word of the Year
What is sacred space? You may at first think of a physical space such as a grand cathedral oozing with the presence of God or the delight of gazing upward amidst stately Redwoods. The awareness of sacred space may arise when watching meteors race across the sky or pausing to breathe in the colors of an amazing sunrise or sunset. God is quite the artist! Sometimes my prayer chair next to my home altar creates a sacred space for me. My word for 2020 is sacred space. Ok, that is two words, but I think both of needed. At least longed for deep within my spirit. Sacred Space Holy ground is all around when we see the sacred in both our physical and spiritual geographies. This year I want to intentionally practice noticing and honoring the sacred everywhere: In my ordinary flat territory (boring? bleak?) of northwest Ohio. Listen to the land where God has planted each of us for this season of life.In the space between others and myself as we share life, … [Read more...]
How to Create a Consistent Reading Plan – 2020 Goal
How do you create a consistent reading plan? Reading more books has been a yearly goal of mine for the past few years. And one I failed. Ok, maybe not a letter grade of "F" but certainly in the "C-" range. Yes I borrow books from the library.Yes I love buying books. Amazon addict here. And don't take me to a book store – I will disappear for hours.Yes I am always adding additional bookshelves. Yes I do love reading as it expands the mind, refreshes the heart and nourishes my soul. I have great intentions. I have twice declared on this blog my focus to read more (here is an example ) and yet my pile of unread books multiple each year like unsupervised bunnies. Even gathering dust as dust bunnies do. In 2019 I created a shelf in my office and selected some of the books that called out to my heart for reading. I read one. Failure. But I persist and am trying once again to read more this year, especially these unread ones summoning for attention and … [Read more...]
Honoring the Passage of Time – a Decade Review
Honoring the passage of time? How do we heed time on its swift journey? One moment it is January 7 and * blink * we are celebrating Christmas 2020. Time flies. Many psychologists will confirm that time really does zip by faster each year, Of course, time doesn't change its speed – each minute, second, moment is the same length as another. But mentally and maybe even spiritually, our perception tells us time zooms ahead at warp speeds. Reflection is a wonderful and effective spiritual practice for gently hitting the brakes and slowing life down a bit. Each December I reread my journal entries from the past year and write up highlights, key lessons, words and verses that resonated with my spirit and how I experienced God those 12 months. These yearly summaries capture time and help me honor the passage of time and the journey I am on. “People overestimate what can be done in one year, and underestimate what can be done in ten.”J.C.R. Licklider Besides a yearly … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Wisdom of Mr. Rogers
Wisdom appears in many places. I had a date with my hubby a few weeks ago. We were joined by a special person – Mr. Rogers. Our date comprised seeing the new Fred Rogers Movie – A Beautiful Day in the Neighbor with Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers. Yes a delightful time together. Yes, a great movie. Yes, I did indulge in buttery movie popcorn. And wow, what spiritual wisdom! Just think – Fred Rogers died in 2003, yet last year his story was told in a popular documentary and this year in an Oscar-worthy movie. His authenticity and legacy are powerful, lifegiving and encouraging in a bitter, angry world. We need Fred Rogers. We need to be more like him. The Spiritual Wisdom of Mr. Rogers Based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and a journalist, this movie is a story about grace, forgiveness, and love. Our life story too. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood soothes people of all ages in this time and culture of anger, … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in November
Monthly Musings. Wow, the end of the year is fast approaching. Ohio definitely looks like late fall/early winter now and most places are shining with Christmas lights. Time to reflect on the past 30 days – its lessons and growth edges for us. Each month I look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Capturing these special moments gives meaning, depth, and delight to life. Let’s wake up to the wonders in the ordinary all around us. I record what I notice on the pages of my Monthly Musings Journal. You can use anything, scrapes of papers, a journal, or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musings Journal are available on Amazon and are a convenient way to keep track of the little things in life we often miss. Or if you want to click the button at the end of this post to get a FREE copy of my one-sheet Monthly Musings handout. What I Learned in November How can I best respond in love? This is the question I am asking … [Read more...]