What type of analog or non-digital prayer tools do you use? This month on Healthy Spirituality as we honor 2018 being the Year of Prayer we are exploring different tools we can use in prayer. Last week I introduced the image of a prayer tool box. This week ideas that are more analog based will be shared and next week we will dig into some digital ones. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. What non-digital methods help to slow you down and enter God's presence? Analog Prayer Tools We live in a world full of beeps, chirps, and apps. "There's an app for that" is quite a true statement. While I love the convenience of digital tools and I will next week share some I have discovered and use in prayer, I find a balance of tactile and unhurried approaches is also necessary. Analog prayer … [Read more...]
May Book Chat
What book are you reading this month? Did you know May is Get Caught Reading Month? Get Caught Reading is a nationwide public service campaign launched by the Association of American Publishers to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read. One focus I have for 2018 is more reading. I wrote about my good start for reading books in January that unfortunately has slowed and become quite lethargic in February and March. I became more intentionally here in spring. What a great way to spend time in May – reading books. Here is the book I am diving into this month: May Book Chat Life Without Lack – Living in the Fullness of the Psalm 23 by Dallas Willard. This is a new book and if you know anything about Dallas Willard, you know he died in 2013. How is there a new book by him? Life Without Lack is based on a series of talks given by Willard and edited by his friend Larry Burtoft and his daughter Rebecca Willard Hartley. In 1991 Willard taught a small group of … [Read more...]
What is in Your Prayer Tool Box?
With 2018 being the year of prayer here on Healthy Spirituality and spring cleaning fever attaining high pitch at least in my house and heart, digging into my prayer tool box seems like a great image to explore. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Prayer Tool Box I like the image of a tool box. This is a treasure chest of prayer practices you have used, continue to use, or have been curious enough to know at least a little about. We all have them – the go-to tried and true ways we come to God and those little someday I may try that ideas. I do believe God is with us all the time and there is nothing we can really “do” to evoke his presence. He is the pursuer of our hearts and surrounds us and lives within no matter what we do. As Annie Dillard wisely wrote, "I cannot cause the light. … [Read more...]
Spring Cleaning Our Nests
Have you started any spring cleaning? What is it about the spring time that makes us want to clean and declutter? The nicer weather must inspire us. We watch the birds build nests and we are consumed with a desire to straighten out our own "nests." Perhaps this is why May 10 is National Clean Up Your Room Day and May 17 is National Pack Rat Day. Ever hear of those holidays before? I have been on a rampage decluttering, organizing, and cleaning. I follow Lisa Wooddruff at organize365.com and love her hints and creativity in tackling my house, my nest. Check out her blog and podcast. Spiritual Spring Cleaning We can pause and consider spiritual spring cleaning too. This is an opportunity to take some time to look at our life and determine if we have things we don’t need. I wrote about this topic on this blog post you may want to check out. 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 … [Read more...]
Two Prayers to Ponder
2018 is the year of prayer here on Healthy Spirituality and today I want to share with you two prayers to ponder. Prayer is the theme for this year and we have been exploring various aspects of this practice in other posts such as Pray Slow and Seasons of Prayer. Sometimes slowly saying the words written by others in prayer touches our hearts and wakes our spirit. Their expressions mirror what I am experiencing and I catch myself saying, "yes! That is exactly how I feel too." I heard each of these prayers on different podcasts and jotted them into my journal for further contemplation. If you are curious about what podcasts stirred me in this way here they are: Renovare and Ruth Haley Barton's Transforming Center. The first prayer below is by Richard Foster from his book, Prayers from the Heart and reminds me to be honest and to come as I am, just me, to God. One of our greatest basic human needs is for love and acceptance and isn't it wonderful God continually opens his … [Read more...]
Monica – the Mother of St Augustine
"May 4 is the commemoration of Monica, the mother of St Augustine." I read this little footnote, in very fine-have-to-squint-even-with-reading-glasses print at the bottom of last week's church bulletin. I have read quotes from St Augustine and heard his story in some church history classes but his mom? I faintly remember hearing something about a St Monica, but really didn't know much about her. This being the month we celebrate Mother's Day, I think it is time to get to know a mother who apparently earned the right to be recognized by many church bodies throughout the year. What is a Commemoration? As believers, we are part of the body of Christ. This legacy exists across time and place and had deep roots in our history in the communion of saints. When a church remembers and lifts up a name of someone from our past faith history, we commemorated them. Many of these "saints" are not perfect, but all have a story that holds a lesson for our own personal walk with God. We see … [Read more...]
How To Incorporate Thomas Keating’s Centering Prayer Into Your Prayer Life
Centering prayer is one spiritual practice that helps me slow down to be with God. In April on this blog, we are looking at the keys of slowing down to spend time with God in stillness, slowness, and quiet time with God. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Don't forget to get the updated handout called "Slowing Down to be with God." It contains ideas, resources, and questions to consider when getting off the busyness treadmill to abide, to be with God in prayer. You can download this free guide by clicking the button at the end of the post. I am excited to welcome guest blogger, Kevin Morley. Keven is a spiritual seeker who runs a blog called Satori Mind (www.satorimind.co.uk). Kevin uses silent prayer and contemplation every day in his journey of spiritual growth. Welcome to the Healthy Spirituality blog, Kevin! “Silence is the language God speaks; everything else is a … [Read more...]
Where is Your Sacred Ground?
Where do we find sacred ground? A place to be with God, to experience God. A setting so filled with God's spirit you want to take your sandals off and slowly and reverently enter. An environment teeming with peace, joy, and love. Where is your sacred ground? I pondered this question in my journal recently. At first, I thought I never reached this place before in my walk with God. Oh sure, I have been graced with a few mountain top experiences but being on holy ground? Then God in his goodness slowly brought to mind all the places, the touchpoints of his presence. Sacred ground is all around me – I just never fully appreciated it before or grasped its holiness. Taking Our Shoes Off on Sacred Ground In Exodus 3 we hear the story of Moses taking his sandals off in the presence of God. Moses worked every day minding his father-in-law's flock of sheep. An ordinary day. Nothing special planned. Just work. Suddenly Moses sees a bush that is on fire, burning without being … [Read more...]