How do we fuel our faith? What do we do when our faith need to be rekindled? When I survey the readers here at Healthy Spirituality, one of the most mentioned struggles is connecting with God and cultivating a deeper relationship with our creator. Too often we live a lukewarm existence mired in a rut of unfulfilled restlessness. How do we live with a vibrant faith? The concept of fueling our faith began to bubble up last year in my heart, my prayers, and my writing. I felt drawn to compiling a resource to help myself and others energize and feed the God-given faith within us. All this led to my latest book. Fuel Your Faith – a Practical Guide to Igniting a Healthy Spirituality is a guidebook to fan the flames of your faith. This book is not a deep theological discourse about spiritual disciplines, but a quick resource for ideas to stir the embers of belief God gives each of us. In Fuel Your Faith, you will: Discover a potpourri of spiritual practices to move you from … [Read more...]
Searching for the Spiritual Practice of Simplicity
Simplicity often makes the bottom of my list of the favorite, most, appealing, and “wow I need to do this” desirable disciplines for me. I feel bad admitting my reaction, but I neglect and put off this practice. We live in a complicated world, overflowing with noise, expectations, and loaded calendars, but there is voice inside me whispering “keep it simple, silly.” I know living simply calls to me, so decided to explore the spiritual practice of simplicity this month on the Tending the Holy Thursday series. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. Today I will share some insights about this topic and next week, 10 quotes to ponder and deepen our journaling about this topic. Then the third week I will list some simple practices we can try to implement this practice in our daily lives. I am giggling as I write this, thinking how ironic it is to write about simplicity and attempting to keep the topic simple. Ahh, my first lesson: … [Read more...]
Seven Fun Facts about the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July has arrived. Where is the summer going so quickly? In the U.S., we celebrate freedom as today was the day the country’s founders signed the Declaration of Independence. In essence, our country’s birthday. Or was this the actual day? I’ll answer that question later. Reflecting on both our personal, our family’s, and our country’s history helps us understand ourselves better and how we fit into God’s grand plan. Whenever I study a person of faith’s story or read about a past faith movement, I take the time to also explore their world view. What else was happening around them that shaped their thoughts and beliefs? What is happening right now in our world that influences us too? Does terrorism make us more cautious? More fearful? Does the political atmosphere drive us into action or press us into the shadows of doubt? How does the current culture affect our faith and the practices we use to express our relationship with God? How would you describe your … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings –What I Learned in June
June busted out all over – remember that song? – in my case, plans, good intentions, and goals all spattered on the cement and melted in the August type humidity we’ve had in NW Ohio. I did NOT get done all I wanted to this month. Seems to me though every summer gets this way and another great reason to pause and review the past month to capture its lessons. 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 … [Read more...]
Five Spiritual Snippets from Hamilton
Hamilton. This popular Broadway show burst into our lives two years ago. In Chicago a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see it and to enjoy its story in person. My reaction? Phenomenal! Wow! I want to see it again. My good friend, Nancy, who knows and loves music and stories, told me last year I would like it. I wasn’t sure but I do trust her opinion, especially when it involves musical theater. I know I like history, but come on, me listen to a show mostly with rap and hip-hop? Really? Ha! I was quite the skeptic. When will I learn to quit allowing my arrogant presumptions and judgmental attitude to block an opportunity? Sigh. I listened to the music of Hamilton. I read more about his story. I fell in love with this musical and couldn’t wait to see it in person. Total reversal. Unexpected surprise. Lesson learned – once again. Often our opinions obscure opportunities. [Tweet "Often our opinions obscure opportunities. Jean Wise"] Five Spiritual Snippets from … [Read more...]
10 Quotes about Worship to Ponder
Worship is the topic of this month’s Tending the Holy Thursday series. On many of my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper for several weeks. I introduced this topic last week on this post about that you can access by clicking here. As we explore this spiritual practice, I am so excited about this month’s free download, a beautiful printable called “Worship the Lord.” I compiled 10 verses from the Bible into a one page, easy to refer to guide for your personal study. You can get this free resource by clicking on the button at the end of this post. Be sure to sign up to get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox, so you don’t miss any of the weeks (I promise I never over send stuff to you). And please invite your friends to this blog and share on social media. I sure do appreciate the support in spreading God’s word. Quotes about Worship Here are some quotes to ponder/ words others have written that may deepen our understanding and participation … [Read more...]
Are You a Hurried or Unhurried Leader?
When I led the county health department, I learned a key lesson. Avoid making “stairway decisions.” A stairway decision occurs when a person asks you something on the stairs, in the hallway or say, by the coffee pot. I always believed in being approachable and open to conversations and suggestions, but learned the hard way, not to make quick decisions on the fly. Too often those choices weren’t fully considered and with not all the correct information presented. I had to learn to be an unhurried leader. Hasty choices cause horrible consequences. Jean Wise [bctt tweet="Hasty choices cause horrible consequences. Jean Wise" username="Jeanwise"] An Unhurried Leader – The Lasting Fruit of Daily Influence – is a new book by Alan Fadling. I am part of his book launch team and am in no way required to give a good review, but am happy to present this fascinating unique approach to leadership to you today. Fadling writes, “Hurried leaders are quick to do and slow to be; quick to … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Worship
I help with worship every Sunday at my church. Before I began this ministry, I assumed that leading the service for others would diminish or even block my own personal worship of our Lord. I convinced myself that I would have to stay mindful, in charge, “on top of things” so I wouldn’t lose my place or mispronounce a word or appear foolish in front of others. Notice: my expectation about leading on Sundays focused on me, my ego, and my façade or disguise. Welcome to Tending the Holy Thursday. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. This month, let’s explore the spiritual practice of worship. I am so excited too about this month’s free download, a beautiful printable called “Worship the Lord.” I compiled 10 verses from the Bible into a one page, easy to refer to guide for your personal study about the topic. You can get this free resource by clicking on the button at the end of this post. Be sure to sign up to get Healthy … [Read more...]