Difference Between a Vacation and a Pilgrimage What is the difference between a vacation and a pilgrimage? When this blog post is published I will be in Germany – visiting many of the Reformation sites in what used to be eastern Germany. Yes, we will see history, the geography, travel on a bus, walk cobbled streets, eat in open air cafes and probably drink a few German beers. But this isn’t a vacation – it is a pilgrimage. I am not a tourist; I am a pilgrim. Our group intentionally created a trip itinerary more like a pilgrimage than a vacation. We planned daily devotions to share as a group and decided a theme for each day based on what we were seeing. We even coordinated hymns for the daily plan. We have prayed for one another before the trip and as we get to know each other better I am sure the prayers will deepen. Our sense of community had already intensified through the Spirit before we meet in person. This process made me think about all the gifts and insights that … [Read more...]
Keeping a Spiritual Journal – Types
Keeping a Spiritual Journal – Types Keeping a spiritual journal can be accomplished in different types or formats. Exploring this practice is the topic for June's Tending the Holy Thursdays. Each month on my Thursday posts I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. So far this month we have looked at why you would want to write a spiritual journal and you can read that post here. Last week I shared 13 tips of keeping a journal. Next week I will spill the beans and tell you about the practice within this practice, my secret sauce, that continues to inspire and deepen this practice on my faith walk. Each month I create an additional free resource for you based on the current topic, so this mouth there is a Keeping a Spiritual Journal Tip Sheet. You can get this free by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God. I would love to have more email subscribers and to … [Read more...]
Whiffs of Wisdom
Whiffs of Wisdom I like to catch whiffs of wisdom – those quotes, stories, conversations that ooze truth and resonated deep within us. I hear them and say, yes I want to embrace that! I am learning to pay more attention to them in the ordinary moments and find once I start watching for them – God’s wise words are tucked into every corner of my day. I jot them into my journal, on the back of the church bulletin, onto colorful post- it notes. With a smile, I enfold them into my heart. I call them whiffs of wisdom because their appearance is fleeting and often quiet. Like vapor or smoke, they quickly fade without much trace. Here are some recent whiffs of wisdom I have captured: I heard a speaker say – we have two primary fears: One, that we are not enough and two, we won’t be loved. The truth that we are children of God banishes the first fear and that we are beloved children of God obliterates the second. I am trying to remember this when I recognize fear’s … [Read more...]
13 Tips on Keeping a Spiritual Journal
13 Tips on Keeping a Spiritual Journal Exploring the practice of keeping a spiritual journal is the topic for June’s Tending the Holy Thursdays. Each month on my Thursday posts I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. Last week why you would want to write a spiritual journal was introduced and you can read that post here. This week I plan to share 13 tips on keeping a journal. Next week we will explore all the different types of journals and on last week I will share the practice within this practice, my secret sauce, that makes me such an avid journal keeper. During most of the Tending the Holy Thursday themes, I create an additional free resource for you so this mouth there is a Keeping a Spiritual Journal Tip Sheet. You can get this free by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God. Be sure to sign up to get Healthy Spirituality in your inbox, so you don’t … [Read more...]
Bird’s Eye View
Bird's Eye View My four-year-old twin grandsons saw him first. A young robin had fallen from his nest in the large tree in our front yard “Don’t touch him,” I cautioned. Of course being boys, they didn’t like that advice. I explained to them that the mommy and daddy bird may be watching us and may still take care of the baby if we let him alone. We kept a far distant eye on that little fellow the rest of the day. It wasn’t until evening that I remember our tiny buddy and wondered how he was doing. I peered out my front window to that area of the yard and sure enough, one of the parent robins hovered near her prodigal son. Over the next few days, every time we looked that direction, a vigilant robin was either on the ground near the baby, finding worms to feed their little one, or watching above from the telephone wires. Whenever one of us would be in the front yard, the sharp-eyed guard would squawk multiple warning shrieks. Extra protection under watchful … [Read more...]
Keeping a Spiritual Journal
Keeping a Spiritual Journal Exploring the practice of keeping a spiritual journal is the topic for June’s Tending the Holy Thursdays. Each month on my Thursday posts I pick one theme (or person of faith) to explore deeper. This week we will explore why you would want to write a spiritual journal. Next week will be the tips and how to’s, followed by different types of journals on the third week. The last week I will share the practice within this practice, my secret sauce, that makes me such an avid journal keeper. Like usual I did create a Keeping a Spiritual Journal Tip Sheet and you can get this free by clicking on the button at the end of the post. It is my hope and prayer that this series and the tip sheet will enhance your walk with God. 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 oversend stuff to you – just tell you when a new post is published). AND PLEASE, those of you who never journal, stay … [Read more...]
Monthly Musings – What I Learned in May
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.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. What I Learned in May Lessons Learned Notice what repeats in our lives. God whispers in the ordinary. I think God often has to hit me with his spiritual 2x4 multiple times before I wake up enough to hear him. Kind of like that loving Gibbs slap to the back of the head moment … [Read more...]
Lessons from Dorothy Day
What lessons can we learn from the life and writings of Dorothy Day? For May's Tending the Holy Thursday theme where I delve into a topic or a person of faith for several weeks, we have been exploring Dorothy Day. Today is the third of this series; here are first two: Introduction to the life of Dorothy Day 12 Quotes from Dorothy Day Remember I created a free Reflection Guide for you to download by just clicking the button at the end of this post. I think this guide would be great to copy and keep in your journal for further contemplation. It has several quotes divided by topics, followed by a writing/reflection prompt and questions with space to write. I hope it blesses your journey with Dorothy. Lessons Learned I have been “walking” and learning from Dorothy Day since 2005 – she has been quite a companion. As soon as I think I have read everything about her and know what I need to know – a new insight, quote, or reflection pops up. Social Ministry – Just as our … [Read more...]