I wrote this following the funeral of a good friend who died unexpectedly last week. If I had known last Sunday would have been the last time I saw you on this earth, I would have looked a little deeper into your eyes. I would have lingered longer in love. I would have paused and been present. Listened, cherished each word. Shared with you how much your faith in God inspires me. Acknowledging how much you mean to me as a friend. I wouldn't have rushed off to get things done before the service began. To do's that don't seem so important now. If I had known I would have broken covid social distancing guidelines and hugged you. Until we meet again, good buddy. Until we meet again. If I had known…and yet every encounter holds this possibility – of being the last time together. Precious, precarious life. I remember giggling with a friend about our husbands' snoring when a few weeks later, her husband suddenly died. She told me later she would give anything … [Read more...]
Searching for Certainty in Uncertain Times
Searching for certainty? Aren't we all seeking solid ground in this crazy upheaval of a year we are living in? Searching for certainty, if I am honest, has always been a need of mine. How about you? Shelly Miller's Searching for Certainty Searching for Certainty is the name of a new book, released today, by my friend and fellow writer, Shelly Miller. Searching for certainty always leads me back to the certain, faithful God of all. I read an early copy of Shelley's book and her words made me realize how often uncertainty has influence my thoughts and behaviors. She shared her shaky times in her life and then surrounds her story with wisdom and grace. Each chapter ends with amazing thought-provoking questions to take to God through prayer and journaling. Ironically Shelly wrote this book long before the pandemic arrived at everyone's doorstep - God prepared her heart to share these insights just in time to provide strength, wisdom, and encouragement for all … [Read more...]
Discernment in the Midst of Multiple Options
Discernment is difficult, especially in a time with multiple options. Choosing what to do or where to go next is like finding just the right cereal in the grocery store breakfast aisle. Lots of great tasting choices and many healthy selections. Me? I want a clear, easy, quick decision. I want God to flip on the directional sign from heaven showing me where to go. Just tell me, Lord. The discernment road isn't always smooth. The path shrouds in fog and we get weighted down in mud as we slough through a decision. Sometimes it's our fault. Sometimes it's an act of obedience to keep moving forward building our spiritual muscles. Sometimes I hear God plainly and other times, struggle to hear my own voice. Discernment isn't easy. To discern mean more than to understand or to make a decision. Dis mans apart and cernere mean to separate. Thus from all the options before us we ‘separate apart’ those that seen uniquely suited to us. We do that when making a decision … [Read more...]
Discovering Wisdom
How are you discovering wisdom? This is a dark time and we need help and guidance daily. Words help me grow – God's word. Words from others – both written and spoken and more experienced, more articulate, more, yah, just more. Here are some collections of quotes about wisdom I shared a few years back. More stretches me. More enlightens me. More - the great More - reminds me God is always more – more than I imagine and more mighty that any evil on earth. Here are some recent earthly wisdoms - that have expanded my mind, enlarged my heart and stretched my imagination. Enjoy exploring and discovering wisdom with me. "That at any given moment, we have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end.Maybe, just maybe, we need to embrace that gift today." Terry Hershey. I love his daily dose of insight and inspiration. Here is the link to his Sabbath Moment readings. He is quite the storyteller and brings not only wisdom but encouragement and delight to my … [Read more...]
What I am Reading in September
What am I reading right now? I love peeking onto other people's bookstands, discovering new books to read. Reading and lifelong learning are passions of mine and between our local library now open for limited hours and good ol' Amazon, I always have plenty of piles of books to tackle. I am one of those types who read more than one book at a time. I graze. I underline. I highlight. I make notes in my journal. In 2020 I wanted to read more and can honestly say, this is one goal that so far, I have accomplished. So here are a few of the books expanding my heart and nourishing my mind right now. The Interior Castle – St Teresa of Avila. Translated by Mirabai Starr. I have just begun an online course on the Interior Castle from Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation. The material is presented by Mirabai Starr, the author of this version and James Finley. Mirabai's enthusiasm and obvious love for Teresa of Avila is phenomenal, inspiring the reader to dig … [Read more...]
Spiritual Journaling in 2020
Spiritual journaling is the pdf most people request from this blog. This has been true throughout the years (I can't believe I have been blogging since 2009!) and true this year too. Click below if you what to see the number one request. Click Here to Get the Tip Sheet I love talking with God in my journal. At home. While traveling. On retreat. My journal companions me on all types of journeys, especially through this adventure called 2020. Expressing my prayers, emotions, hurts, dreams and whatever else is on my heart to God through the spiritual practice of writing in a journal brings me clarity and peace. I hear God's voice and discern his wisdom. Writing becomes my camera capturing a moment in time in the net of my pen. I began thinking about this word – capturing – this past week and discovered three treasures emerging during 2020 in my journal. Spiritual journaling captures history. I have literally copy, printed then inserted into my journal internet … [Read more...]
I Arise Today – St Patrick and I Wake Up
"I arise today" is the phrase for me launching each new day. I stir, one eye half open peeking at the time on the clock and stretch my arms over my head while still tucked under the cool sheets. There is an old joke. Some people wake up and say, " Good God it's morning." Others start with their day with "Good Morning, God." I am in the Good Morning, God group. Good morning, Lord brings a smile to my heart and a push to get moving. The Holy Spirit rouses my soul and pushes my get going button to full throttle. Ok, not full throttle. Often, I putter and stall, then I recall the phrase, "I arise today." This is a prayer, also called the Deer's Cry, attributed to St. Patrick. Here are the words. I arise todayThrough the strength of heaven;Light of the sun,Splendor of fire,Speed of lightning,Swiftness of the wind,Depth of the sea,Stability of the earth,Firmness of the rock.I arise todayThrough God's strength to pilot me;God's might to uphold … [Read more...]
10 Spiritual Retreat Tips
Interested in spiritual retreat tips? I recently blogged about my usual way of going on retreat – in a group at a retreat center – and how Covid had cancelled all these types of events. I then scheduled my own retreat at a hermitage. While there I noticed insights that I thought may be useful to you for your next retreat. Paying attention is a key practice all the time as his presence coats all our times and he is so willing to show us his lessons. Here are a few photos of the hermitage at the Lady of the Pines, Fremont Ohio and 10 spiritual retreat tips. 10 Spiritual Retreat Tips Give yourself grace – Every retreat I have participated in, this one included there is a time to slowly let go and enter into the stillness and silence. I forget the outside noise and inside chatter need time to slowly drip away and space for quiet and God to gently appear. The first evening and some of the first full day becomes the entrance way, the threshold, the … [Read more...]