I thank you, God, Creator of all things, for so much, but today I thank you for chocolate! Today on some calendars in International Chocolate Day.  Once I began researching this for today’s blog, though, I discover July 7 is also celebrated as this special observance.  So why not twice a year enjoy one of the best taste on earth that God has given us.  Let’s take this a bit farther – let’s party with a little sweetness every day! “What I Learned about God from Chocolate” is THE most popular talk I am asked to give when I speak to gatherings and retreats. In honor of this yummy indulgence, I thought I would share some fun facts and wise insights about this special treat.  In the creation story, on the third day God separates the water and made the dry ground appear. Then all the vegetation began to grow.  One of those plants was the cocoa and the cacao tree and that, my friends, is the chocolate plant! The scientific name for chocolate is Theobroma cacao which translates … [Read more...]

Hospitality Exploring the practice of hospitality and cultivating a welcoming spirit is the topic for September’s Tending the Holy Thursdays. Each month on my Thursday posts, I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. In September I am venturing into a faith practice that to be honest, I am lousy with. I fail terribly with hospitality. The very thought of this discipline strikes terror in my introvert heart.  But I hear God’s invitation to cultivate a more welcoming spirit, so want to explore this topic.  Want to come along with me? This week I plan to introduce ideas about hospitality. Next week will be the tips and how to’s, especially for the shy and introverted. The third week I will share some quotes and resources, followed on the fourth week a summary of lessons learned and how to apply this practice to our daily living. Like usual I wrote a free download to accompany this study, titled “15 Thought-Provoking Definitions of Hospitality.”  You can get … [Read more...]

The crazy upheaval of summer schedules, traveling and get-togethers caused me to think about the rewards of routines and the advantages of adventures. I love them both and cherish having the ability and opportunity for the predictable and the impulsive times but wow – when I am in one mode do I crave the other. Anyone else notice that tension between the rewards of routines and the advantages of adventures? The Rewards of Routines Freedom - We have had such a busy summer! When I flipped the calendar to September, I smiled. Though we have plans between now and the end of the year, there is only one multi-day trip scheduled, so many Monday through Fridays are mine to organize as I wish. Ahhh, routine gives me freedom.  More control. A sense of managing time in MY way.  And to be honest, sometimes I just don’t want to make more decisions and have to think through everything. Let the pattern of the day guide me. This type of freedom relaxes and releases built-up anxiety. … [Read more...]

Monthly Musings - What I Learned in August  Monthly Musings Each month I pause and take a look back at what I am discovering, learning, and exploring in life – I call these my monthly musings. Living a reflective life is a spiritual practice that adds depth and gratitude to our lives. Often our busy schedules make it difficult to keep a daily journal, but we can find the time to take notes of the some of the highlights, lessons, and joys by waking up and paying attention. Capturing these special moments gives meaning and delight to life. I record these 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. Lessons Learned August was a tough month for my family and so I appreciated your kind words and prayers. God is good!  And why does it always surprised me how powerful the … [Read more...]