Pentecost! What is your favorite faith holiday? Families plan big get togethers for Christmas. We decorate our homes – inside and out. We bake up a storm – sharing all the caloric goodies with everyone the whole month of December. We hunt for just the right gift to bring a smile to our loved ones. We hold candles and sing hymns that stir our hearts in holiness on Christmas eve. Families plan big get togethers for Easter, too. We bake the ham. Put bunnies on the table. Hide eggs in the backyard. Gorge ourselves on Cadberry eggs and jellybeans. The old wooden cross and a crown of thorns brings tears to our eyes. We vow to love more like Jesus and to live as he did. What about Pentecost? My latest pet peeve is that as Christians we go all out to celebrate Christmas and Easter, but what about this significant holiday in our faith? I think it is time for Pentecost to have its due! Christmas – God came down to us. Easter – Jesus rose, defeating sin and death. Pentecost – the … [Read more...]
St. Brendan the Navigator – A Story of Transformation
What do you know about St Brendan the Navigator? I never heard of Brendan, but learned last week, May 16, was his feast day and his story is an example of a journey towards transformation. Since transformation is this month’s theme, I wanted to know more about him. I choose St Brendan as our person of the month here on Healthy Spirituality. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. The first post on spiritual transformation is found here. Don’t forget to download the free worksheet called “Transformation Reflection Guide: Questions and Quotes to Quicken Change.” Each quote and/or bible verse is followed by a question to prompt my prayers, journaling and thoughts. I have left space after each one for you to add notes too. You can get this free worksheet by clicking the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the download will enhance your walk with … [Read more...]
Whispers of Rest – A Book Review
“Wow! I need a rest!” I lamented these words yesterday out loud to no one expect my own weary soul. After 10 days of busyness, crazy schedule, dashing from one meeting/project to another, wearing different hats and carrying cumbersome expectations, all I wanted to do was to stop the hamster wheel. Reading is an essential self-care joy that renews my soul. I intentionally chose last evening to put my jammies on early and my feet up, snuggle under a warm blanket and to open a book. Ahhh, the tiring, tedious tension trickled from my heart. The quiet whisper of rest revived me. Whispers of Rest Whispers of Rest – 40 Days of God’s Love to Revitalize Your Soul – a new release by Bonnie Gray, arrived at my home at just the right time. I received this book free as I am a member of her book launch team and feel so blessed to read its words. I am under no obligation to give a good review, but want you to do know this is a wonderful devotional to add to your time with God. This … [Read more...]
5 + 3 Quotes to Ponder about Spiritual Transformation
Transformation – What does this mean to you? In May on the Healthy Spirituality blog, the spiritual practice of transformation is our featured topic. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Last week I introduced some thoughts about spiritual transformation what it is like as we, mere humans, are formed by God’s hand. What emotions and images this process produces in our heart. Tuesday I loved Ceil Ryan’s essay about transformation and today I want to share with you some quotes to consider. As usual I created a free download for you. I wrote out a worksheet for myself and to share with you called “Transformation Reflection Guide: Questions and Quotes to Quicken Change.” Each quote and/or bible verse is followed by a question to prompt my prayers, journaling and thoughts. I have left space after each one for you to add notes too. You can get this free worksheet by clicking the … [Read more...]
Transformation Takes Time – Special Guest Post by Ceil Ryan
Transformation is the topic featured this month on Healthy Spirituality. I am so excited to have today a guest post by Ceil Ryan, a Christian sister, blogger buddy, fellow nurse, and frequent commenter here in our community. I invited her to reflect about transformation and I am sure you will learn much with her thought-provoking words. Transformation Takes Time It's been about a month since we celebrated Easter. We all traveled through Lent together, a special time of prayer and sacrifice, ending in the joy of Christ's triumph over death. Easter was a beautiful day - temperatures in the low 70's, flowers blooming and trees budding. Signs of new life and rebirth were everywhere, reminding all of the transformative life we are promised too. Honestly, I don't know about you, but I'm still looking for my 'transformative moment'. I know all the grace that was gifted to me in Lent and in the celebration of Easter remains in me. But I seem to be, disturbingly, the same. I … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Transformation
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12: 1 (NLT) Transformation? What? Let God transform me? Change? Who, me? Do I hafta? Ideally, I should embrace and welcome God’s molding my life, but to be honest, I like my comfort zone, me being in control, and the knowledge of predictability and stabilization of what I expect. Note: “what I expect.” In May, here on the Healthy Spirituality blog, the spiritual practice of transformation will be explored. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. I call this series Tending the Holy Thursdays. Have you noticed the trend this year for my monthly themes are NOT my strengths, but practices that challenge and stretch me in new ways? I am sure glad you come along with me on this journey and appreciate the community support and shared wisdom. As usual I created a free download for you. I wrote out a worksheet for myself and to share with you … [Read more...]
FOMO
FOMO. I am seeing this term used more and more. This word has even been added to our dictionaries. Do you know what FOMO means? FOMO is the Fear Of Missing Out. FOMO is the uneasy and all too often all- consuming feeling we are out of touch, not in the “in” group. Or heavens forbid, we don’t know the latest news, gadgets, celebrity gossip or world’s funniest video. Marketers, sellers, and political persuaders use FOMO. Ramping up this emotion increases the urgency to buy and buy now or you might miss out. The fear you might miss something keeps us on social media longer than we want to or is healthy for us. We take our phones to bed with us, just in case. FOMO increases our anxiety. What if I miss the next big thing? How does my life compare to others? FOMO has been around for a long time in the form of jealousy, keeping up with the Jones, and “but mom, all the other kids have one.” Human nature defaults to assessing our status in relation to others and the deep … [Read more...]
National Renewal Day May 4
Today is National Renewal Day. Ever hear of this day before? I hadn’t. National Renewal Day was created to honor new beginnings and fits well in the spring time growth occurring in the northern hemisphere. Its purpose is to reinvigorate us after a long winter and refresh our spirits. The dictionary defines renewal as the state of being made new, fresh, or strong again: the state of being renewed. I like the phrase “strong again.” Yes, I want to be strong, not cold and dying. We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Ways to Celebrate National Renewal Day You could use this day in a tangible way. Plan your spring cleaning. Commit to repaint a room. Refinish a dresser. Open the window to the fresh air (not a good idea here today in northwest Ohio. I think I will wait for a warmer, drier day) Renewal can be physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, too. How can you recharge yourself … [Read more...]