The Sounds of Dachau Concentration Camp Sometimes our life lessons aren’t written in words. Sometimes no words are spoken or necessary. The sounds and the silence become the teacher. When our tour guide on our recent trip to Germany announced we would be making an extra stop at the Dachau Concentration Camp, I wasn’t very excited. My hubby and I visited Dachau ten years ago. A bitterly cold wind plowed its chill deep in our bones that day.  I wasn’t sure if my shivering came from the weather or the experience walking in a place of such death, cruelty and despair.  I really didn’t want to return for a second visit. Once was enough emotionally. Dachau But we still arrived.  Dachau is a pretty little town about 12 miles from Munich. The area used to be known as an artist colony but in 1933, Hitler built Germany’s first concentration camp just outside the town. Dachau Concentration Camp became the model for all the future camps. Dachau now is a museum and a memorial for the … [Read more...]

Visualizing the Restoration and Resurrection of a Masterpiece Can you visualize the restoration and resurrection of a masterpiece?  I see an artist leaning over a battered painting, meticulously cleaning, checking photos for accuracy and precise details, gently returning it to its former striking beauty. The restorer must have thorough knowledge of the art, just the right skills and material ready and available, and a deep patience and love for the work.  The painstaking process takes a long time and attentive care and devoted determination to resurrect a work of art, the magnum opus, and bring it back to life. On our recent pilgrimage through Germany, how Europe values and maintains her style, architecture and beauty amazes me. Walking the streets, you do feel like someone has dropped you into the middle ages. Dresden Germany - Visualizing the Restoration and Resurrection. Dresden Germany was one of those spots. But her history made the beauty we experienced even more … [Read more...]

Timeless and Powerful Worship in a New Language God knows no bounds when it comes to worship and words. His love breaks through language barriers and even surpasses time. We can experience timeless and powerful worship in any language - even if we don’t know a word of German! Worship at St. Anne’s Church On our Germany trip we visited the beautiful St Anne’s Church built in 1321 by Carmelite monks in Augsburg. In 1518 Martin Luther stayed there while he was in Augsburg defending his beliefs to the Cardinal. Our group learned a noon time prayer service was scheduled in the chapel and we were invited to participate. Worship in the Chapel Silently we entered the gothic Goldsmith’s Chapel built in 1420. Gothic murals decorated every wall and ceiling. I remembered that many people in that time period didn’t know how to read, so would learn the stories of the Bible and the good news about Jesus through paintings depicted in churches. I was surrounded by the endless story of … [Read more...]

Images of our Theology – Luther’s Seal Do you have an image that illustrates your theology?  A symbol, painting, pictorial concept of your beliefs?  When you “see” God, how do you visualize him/her? No one requires us to have a model or photo in mind on this spiritual journey.  But this practice is not only fun and imaginative, it is an opportunity to explore a visual depiction of what you believe that helps us identify and clarify our faith. Most of you know, I just returned from a pilgrimage to Germany where we visited many of the sites that Martin Luther lived.  One day we learned about the meaning behind the Luther Seal, causing me to ponder about my own images of my faith and of God. Luther's Seal The Martin Luther seal is also known as the Luther Rose. He designed the final version while staying in Coberg Castle as he waited and prepared to defend his beliefs in Augsburg. He worked with his friend Philip Melanchthon to present what is now called “The Augsburg … [Read more...]

Germany Pilgrimage and Upcoming Changes I am home from the Germany pilgrimage with a full heart of memories, new lessons, a renewed appreciation of history and millstone of jet lag.  I even brought home some German germs in the form of a slight head cold.  Cough, sniff…  I wrote here a couple of weeks ago about the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage.  The devotions we experienced as a group based on what we were seeing each day grounded our journey and deepened our insights.  The one following our visit to Dacha Concentration Camp was especially poignant. We definitely left Germany differently from when we arrived with our minds full of new insights and knowledge, our eyes open to new perspectives, and our hearts widened with more compassion. As I journaled my thoughts, emotions, and encounters on this trip, I kept noting – “Oh, this should be a blog post!” so I am making a few changes to Healthy Spirituality for this month.  In this post and then the next five, … [Read more...]