Where are you finding meaning? I try to see God in nature, experience his presence in prayer and reading, and listen for his voice in conversations and precious moments with friends and family. Lately, I am finding meaning in memes I run across on Facebook. They pop up randomly and nudge my heart to pause and think. I imagine God creating them in Canva and sending them just for me. Paying attention to all the connections in our lives reveal God in new ways. Wake up, Jeanie! I have something I want you to consider, says the Lord to my sleepy, distracted self. Yes, paying attention to the details helps in finding meaning in our lives. Here are a few memes lately that stopped my hectic running and scattered schedule and I spent time talking and smiling with God. TOUCHING REMINDER OF LOVE ENOUGH IS MY 2018 WORD OF THE YEAR WILL I EVER LEARN THIS? SOMETHING TO PONDER FOR US ALL GOOD WORD TO KNOW … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in November
November Monthly Musings What did the month of November teach you? Life offers us so many lessons, opportunities, challenges – always a learning process, a refining, a growth edge. How are you living a reflective life? 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 Musing Journal. You can use anything, scraps of papers, a journal, or a calendar. Copies of my Monthly Musing 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 Musing handout. What I Learned in November: Monthly Musing Lesson(s) Learned: Three big lessons for me this month plus a celebration. The … [Read more...]
The Value of Daily Devotions
Why Do Daily Devotions? Reading the Bible and other inspirational words start my day off with the right frame of mind/heart/spirit. Devotionals deepen my prayers and give me new perspectives. Often I hear God through other writer's insights and words. Devotions breathe new life into my tired soul. They nourish me, strengthen me, and shape my spirit. Devotions realign my thoughts with God's thoughts; God's vision unclouds my point of view. Time in fellowship with God become a sanctuary of worship and love. I hear God better when I quiet my noisy interior and enter his presence. Consistent connection with God is a joy and source of guidance and correction. The devil loves a dusty Bible, you know. Worshipping and being with God isn’t only a one hour on Sunday, but envelopes our every moment. Daily devotions help me praise God and worship him. Devotionals invite me into God's word. I see once again my brokenness, my sin, my ego and am received by a loving, … [Read more...]
Connections and Divisions – Ireland Reflections
Connections. This was the word I tucked into my heart to serve as my intention for my recent pilgrimage to Ireland. I wrote in my journal I wanted to make connections with: God Nature/landscape Others My ancestral roots My own soul How would I do this? By listening, being present, and being open to this adventure. How did it work? Yes, I did make connections, but also discovered (and am learning from) unexpected divisions. Connections I will write later about my other connections, but today want to share with you where I experienced God on this journey. God appeared to me in the four elements in wild and mighty ways. I giggled and danced with God's hurricanelike winds at the Cliffs of Moher. He bounced me around reminding me of his power and his presence. Exhilarating joy bubbled up in my heart and the desert place in my heart erupted with refreshing waters. God was there, beyond my imagination and out of my control, yet present for me and all to … [Read more...]
Advent – 10 Inspirational Quotes
Advent begins the end of this month and is a great time to pause and ponder all that God has given us. If you are looking for more information about Advent download my free Advent Resource Guide here. Or perhaps you may enjoy exploring some of the past posts I have written about this season: What is Advent and Why is it Important 15 Inspirational Quotes about Advent Mary and Elizabeth - a Lesson about Advent Is Your Advent Full with Stuff in your Hands or a Heart Stuffed with Joy? My gift to you this week is 10 inspirational quotes about Advent that I haven't shared before here on Healthy Spirituality. Take one into your prayer, journaling, and time with God. May the words bless your Advent season. “For outlandish creatures like us, on our way to a heart, a brain, and courage, Bethlehem is not the end of our journey but only the beginning - not home but the place through which we must pass if ever we are to reach home at last.” ― Frederick Buechner, The … [Read more...]
Digging in the Dark
Dark or light? In the northern hemisphere, we are heading into longer darkness. I keep one of the light machines on my desk for this time of year. I am more of a light gal than one who likes darkness. Give me sunshine, please, not gloomy days which darken my moods. Yet my small group is reading and really enjoying Barbara Brown Taylor's book Learning to Walk in the Dark. Her words are showing me new ideas, lessons, and possibilities to darkness. Her writing draws me in and creates a hunger for me for the calm of darkness and the courage to face and explore it more deeply. “When, despite all my best efforts, the lights have gone off in my life (literally or figuratively, take your pick), plunging me into the kind of darkness that turns my knees to water, nonetheless I have not died. The monsters have not dragged me out of bed and taken me back to their lair. The witches have not turned me into a bat. Instead, I have learned things in the dark that I could never have … [Read more...]
10 Celtic Blessings of Wisdom
In honor of my upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, I have been collecting Celtic blessings. Here are a few for you today: A best friend is like a four leaf clover: hard to find and lucky to have. Anonymous ****** A wish that every day for you will be happy from the start and may you always have good luck and a song within your heart. Irish Blessing ****** Always remember to forget, the friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember those that have stuck by you! Irish proverb ****** You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was! Irish proverb ****** Do not resent growing old. Many are denied the privilege. Irish proverb ****** Tis better to buy a small bouquet and give to your friend this very day, Than a bushel of roses white and red to lay on his coffin after he's dead. Irish proverb ****** May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty. Irish Proverb ****** It's no use carrying an umbrella if your shoes are … [Read more...]
5 Themes in Celtic Christianity
What themes emerge from Celtic Christianity? In preparation for my upcoming pilgrimage to Ireland, I have been digging deep into reading about this country, long on my bucket list, rich with spirituality, and enfolding my Irish heritage. Here are a few of the patterns, the themes in Celtic Christianity: Soul Companions – Last week I meet with someone I knew immediately was a soul sister. We shared the same interests and struggles. With her every story, I felt a connection. Celtic Christianity calls this soul friendships and an anamchara, a soul friend. They inspire us to open our hearts to live a more Christ-like life and to obtain more wholeness. We are not meant to travel this life journey alone – we all need a few soul companions. “A person without a soul friend is like a body without a head.” Brigid of Kildare Thin Places – A strong Celtic theme is seeing life as a journey. On this journey certain places are significant, they are “thin places”, where God seems closer, … [Read more...]