I struggle with the words balanced vs. unbalanced. My unrealistic expectation is to live a life fully balanced and reject the stress of being unbalanced. I've been journaling about these words and listening to God for insight and guidance with juggling these oppositions. Last week I heard a terrible noise. While doing the weekly wash, the load became unbalanced. In my morning rush I jammed quite a few items into the tub, thinking it would be ok. At first my washer tossed, thumped, and tried its best to shift the clothes into a reasonable jumble. Then it just stopped. "I'm done," it said. "I can't move and won't move anymore until you adjust my load." Here is the display: I wish I had a control button like my washer. One that would flash a cautionary sign that I am getting into overload with projects, commitments, and responsibilities. My Internal Balance vs Unbalance Toggle I did correct the weight of the clothes in the washer and she happily went back to her … [Read more...]
Why Pray? – Centering and Communing
Why do you pray? Knowing why we pray deepens our prayer life and helps us hear God. 2018 is the year of prayer here on the Healthy Spirituality blog and last month we explore the definitions of prayer. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer and of course a monthly free download. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. This month let's look at why we pray. I am excited about this month’s free download “40 Bible Verses about Prayer,” You can get this resource free by clicking on the button at the end of this post. I hope these verses help you explore the many reasons why we pray. Last Thursday we began looking at why we pray by pondering how we are both commanded to pray and called, invited to talk, and listen with God. Why Pray – Connecting One reason I pray is to connect with God. To unite with someone beyond myself. To deepen this … [Read more...]
Creating a Lenten Sacred Space at Home
A few years ago, I created a sacred space, a home altar, near the chair where I pray. I wrote about it on a blog post called "3 Steps for Creating a Sacred Space at Home." Last week I read this article called "Creating a Lenten Prayer Space at Home" and was inspired to rearrange my home sacred space to help create a prayer filled environment for the special season of Lent that begins tomorrow. Items in a Lenten Sacred Space Mark 15:16-20 I found a purple cloth for my altar. Purple is the color of Lent. Black used to be the color associated with Lent since purple dye was so expensive to reproduce. Purple emerged as the color of royalty. We are remembering Jesus is our King and Savior. Purple now represents mourning as we ponder the sacrifice of Christ. “The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began … [Read more...]
Why Pray? Called and Commanded
“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche "Know Your Why" was the recent topic at my Weight Watcher meeting. The leader challenged us not to just quickly find the answer to the question "Why do we want to lose weight?" but to sit with that question for a while, allowing a variety of answers to emerge. She kept asking Why is that your why, then encouraging us to dig even deeper exploring the why behind every why. This probing into our why's helped us articulate and describe our deepest desire for being healthier and inspired us to keep motivated even in difficult times. 2018 is the year of prayer here on the Healthy Spirituality blog and last month we explore the definitions of prayer. Each month this year on the Tending the Holy Thursdays there will be a focus on an aspect of prayer and of course a monthly free download. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. This … [Read more...]
2018 Lessons – Word and Art Expressions
What lessons have you learned so far in 2018? According to researchers, people quit more than 80% of all New Year resolutions by the second week in February. I find the weather so dreary this time of year in Ohio so to learn this about the month regarding failure compounds the depression. I don't like resolutions. The negativity of their collapse is one reason I call them goals instead. I list what I feel God is asking me to work on, to experience, to become in the coming 12 months and plan steps to work towards them throughout the year. Progress, not perfection. Two broad "goals" that I wrote about on this blog for this year is the Year of Reading and the Year of Creativity. I thought I would share an update on these two areas, hoping my small steps forward may inspire your goals too. 2018 Lessons - Year of Reading. Yes, I am reading more in 2018. I have discovered if I take the time to read 15-30 minutes in the morning, I absorb the information with more depth. The words linger … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Deepen Your Experience with God During Lent
Lent is coming. This sacred season begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14 this year. Isn't it cool we can spend time with the Lord of Love on Valentine's Day? I wrote about this church season previously on the posts titled How to Observe Lent and Be Ready for Easter, and Are You Ready? Lent is Coming Quickly. Do you know what Lent means? Lent is the 40 days before Easter, excluding Sundays. In French, the word "lent" means slow and is our invitation to slow down and be with God in new ways. How will you be transformed if each day we intentionally paused, prayed, and prepared ourselves for Easter? How will you grow closer to God this season? Here are 5 ways to deepen your experience with God and to slow down before Easter: Create a daily quiet time with God. Carve out in the morning or evening or whenever at least 10 minutes of silence and prayer. Read a Lenten devotional such as 40 Voices during this season. Explore the resources online at sites such as Lenten Resources, Creighton … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings -What I Learned in January
January Monthly Musings Wow! Where did January go? One month of 2018 disappearing into the past. I know pausing and reflecting about the present moments and the past few weeks helps me appreciate, praise, and value the gift of life and time. 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, scrapes 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 January Monthly Musing Lesson Learned: Speaking … [Read more...]
Prayer Reflections
In this series on prayer we have been exploring the definition of prayer and wrestling with the question "what is prayer?" Prayer is the spiritual practice Healthy Spirituality is focusing on in 2018 and different aspects of prayer will be shared here on the Tending the Holy Thursdays. On my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. This month exploring what prayer is will be the topic. And in each month, I usually provide a free download resource. Be sure to click the button at the end of the post to get your copy of "50 Books About Prayer." If you missed the previous blog posts, you can check them out here: Year of Prayer – What is Prayer More Thoughts on Prayer Prayer Reflections and Next Steps The following two quotes drew the most comments. Both are long and meaty and well worth copying into our journals for further prayer and contemplation and conversation with God. Don’t seek to develop a prayer … [Read more...]