Healthy Spirituality

Walking a Labyrinth - Spiritual Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Walking the seaweed labyrinth on the Iona

Have you ever walked a labyrinth?

About 15 years ago, just when I was beginning this new growth in my spirituality, walking a labyrinth appealed to me. A good friend drove me to a grassy one built on the back acreage of a retreat center, explained it to me, and invited me to enter in. That first step into its winding circle was also my initial step into my next phase of spiritual growth.

Based on the form of a circle and the spiral, the labyrinth is an ancient and powerful symbol of wholeness and transformation. It is found in cultures throughout the world and has been added to many retreat centers as a form of walking prayer. Some of the earliest labyrinths were found in Greece dating back to 2500-2000 BC.

A labyrinth is a metaphor for the spiritual journey.

The labyrinth is not a maze. Mazes have many paths and dead ends and they evoke a very different feeling than when we walk a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a unicursal with only one path in and the same path out.

Its path meanders its way to the center. Walking this path enables you to experience peace, listen deeply, and reflect on where are you in your life. Some find healing or new ways to celebrate. Occasionally nothing is experienced.

I wrote about my experience walking the seaweed labyrinth in Scotland on the Island of Iona last fall. You can read about it here on thepost titled Iona: A Thin Place.

I find entering the labyrinth like stepping into the sacred. My mind is slowly quieted, I let go of concerns, fears and attachments, and deeper insights emerge. Once in the center I pause as long as needed to hear God in new ways. The return trip out refocuses me outward to my next step and how to serve others.

I have learned there is not a right or wrong way to experience a labyrinth. I let the Spirit be my guide. I seek out this form of spiritual practice when on retreat or going through a time of disquiet or confusion.

You will find different types of labyrinths, often at retreat centers or at churches. One web site will help you locate one, Worldwide Labyrinth locator.

If you have walked a labyrinth, what was it like for you?

Abba’s Children - Lectio Divina

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 19 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!"

it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ--if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:14-17

Just when I doubt,

At the time I feel abandoned, unloved,

Whenever I wonder if anyone really cares,

My Abba, my Papa, wraps His arms around me and cradles my heart.

Lord, I am not my job.

I am not defined by my roles.

Where I live, what I look like and how much I make, means little.

My Abba, my Papa created me as His child.

Lord, Your fingerprints are all over my soul.

Your mighty spirit ignites with my minuscule core, lighting the fire of life.

My breath, in slowly, out gradually, mirrors the steady rhythm of the beating of Your heart.

You are the One; we are one together.

Papa and child.

Forever genetically connected, but even deeper, fused with love.

Your love.

Papa’s love for me, His child.

Thank you Abba.

Quote of the Week - Julian of Norwich

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

"The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate,

for in us is his home of homes,

and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there. . . .

The soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated."

~Julian of Norwich

Slowness - Spiritual Practice of Keeping Tempo

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I was amazed at the comments and emails I received after Tuesday’s post about soul rest. You all made me feel better realizing I am not the only one struggling with busyness. Your words also reminded me to be grateful for the ability to be busy and to savor the opportunities as blessings.

Thank you.

Practicing slowness is a valuable spiritual discipline.

At one of the retreats I attended a few years ago we intentionally practiced slowness. We spoke slowly. We chewed our food longer. We put our forks down between bites. We deliberately looked one another in the eyes.

The routine at this retreat that struck me the most though, was how we physically moved from sitting to standing. I normally bounce up and get going. We moved in slow motion. More Eyorye than Tigger.

Try that sometime this week. When you need to stand up or sit down, move very slowly.

Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.

  - Eddie Cantor

Slowness will help free us from this addicting fast pace and increase our awareness of the present moment. Slowness will help make room in our inner being for God. It creates space for stillness and peace.

"Life is so short, we should all move slowly."

Thich Nhat Hanh

Musicians know the value of keeping tempo. The notes move quickly through many places but the best music also holds pauses and slower movements. If I keep racing all the time, I am sure not following the Conductor.

Pay attention to your speed this week. Make a conscious effort to slow down and savor the moments.

"Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it."

-- Soren Kierkegaard

What has being slow taught you?

PS: I am also guest posting over at Johnnie Donley's blog. Check it out when you get time:

Need a Rest Stop? A Soul Rest? - Spiritual Practice

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

“In the hustle of May, it can be easy to forget who we are.”

I really identified with this quote written last week by Emily on her wonderful blog, Chatting at the Sky

I sighed when I read that line since its words so appropriately captured how I was feeling.

Too much have I lately wolfed down fast food pace of to do lists, deadlines and shallow living. I don’t want to live this way.

Spring is a busy time. Nicer weather ~~invites, calls~~ demands our appearance in the garden. Flowers to be planted, ground tilled for peppers and tomatoes, cleaning out my small pond, and scrubbing outdoor furniture for future outdoor celebrations. The grass appears to grow two feet every night in spring, let alone weeds popping up all over.

Then once again I have said yes to too many commitments: “sure I can squeeze that it in,” scheduling everyday with obligations that seemed important earlier but now annoy me like a bothersome nuisance.

On top of all this daily busyness, we have traveled more than usual. A wonderful trip to New Mexico, weekend visits with family and friends and a great children’s writing conference.

I remember the story of the caravan of English men traveling through the jungle. Local natives carried their heavy luggage. Day and day they made steady progress through the tangled roots and narrow paths of the rain forest. One morning, the foreigners were ready to begin but the natives kept sitting and wouldn’t budge. When asked what was wrong, the leader of the natives said, “We need to rest and wait for our souls to catch up with our bodies.”

That is how I feel this May. Scattered. My spirit left somewhere in April separated by whirling eons of compulsive duties and burdensome responsibilities.

My problem is all that I am doing is good. Many activities and interactions are blessings that I am grateful to participate in and make a difference. But I have allowed good to become urgent instead of holding out for the best and most important.

So what next? I need to practice soul rest.

1. I am spending more time in the early morning in contemplative prayers. This quiet time focuses my heart on God and covers me with a sense of peace that glows like an ember within my soul all day.

2. I remind myself to breath. I pause whatever I am doing and take a series of slow deep breaths. For a few minutes throughout the day focusing on my breathing relaxes me and I become more mindful of the present moment.

3. I am reapplying the Pomodoro technique. This is a cool idea you may want to read more about on their web site:

Basically you work for a period of time, 25- 45 minutes, and then take a 5-10 minute break. Most of the time I walk briskly and get more coffee or a cool glass of water. But that too is busyness. This week I want to walk out side to the deck, listen to the birds, smell the flowers and look up at the clouds during some of the breaks.

4. My spiritual director asked me this week how I was approaching some of these events in my life contemplatively? That made me really think as I realized I was NOT savoring them nor prayerfully entering into these hectic exciting blessings. How am I being reverent to each moment? I don’t have an easy answer yet but am aware of this deficiency and proceeding more slowly with each step.

Soul rest.

Finding myself again.

Waiting to my soul catches my body.

Feels good to be whole again.

What helps you when savor the present moment?

Jesus Prayed

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Jesus prayed:

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

“Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

John 17: 20-26

Jesus Prayed

Lord I didn’t make it much past the first two words of your gospel lesson this week.

Jesus prayed.

Jesus prayed for me?

for all the others?

for those yet to come?

Wow Lord that is amazing. You prayed for us!

I believe You still pray for us today, Lord.

Praying us into your love by loving us through prayer.

Praying for me, for others, to show us how we are to pray.

Affirming our time in prayer isn’t ever wasted or falls on deaf ears.

Assuring us that someday we will be one with you.

Reminding us we can know you because of our time in prayer.

Inviting us to pray with you - for the world, for those we love and those we struggle with.

Telling us it is all right to pray for ourselves.

And you keep praying today.

Praying for me. Praying for others.

Amazing.

Jesus prayed.

Jesus prays.

Dallas Willard - Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 11 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

“Solitude well practiced will break the power of busyness, haste, isolation, and loneliness. You will see that the world is not on your shoulders after all.

Your will find yourself, and God will find you in new ways.

Silence also brings Sabbath to you.

It completes solitude, for without it you cannot be alone.

Far from being a mere absence, silence allows the reality of God to stand in the midst of your life.

God does not ordinarily compete for our attention.

In silence we come to attend.

Lastly, fasting is done that we many consciously experience the direct sustenance of God to our body and our whole person.”

― Dallas Willard, who died this past week, wrote several books including The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus’ Essential Teachings on Discipleship where this quote originates.

Two Days with a Master Teacher - Richard Rohr

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

A few weeks ago we visited New Mexico with wonderful lifelong friends. Yes of course we did all the fun tourist activities: toured old sections of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, road on Route 66, learned much about our Native Americans, and even this height fearing writer road up the tram to the 10,000 Sandia Peak.

One highlight was wonderful lunch at Tim’s Place, theworld’s friendliest restaurant. They serve breakfast, lunch and hugs.

Maybe you saw Tim featured on CBS.

Attending a two-day conference by Richard Rohr (You can read a short bio on him here) was easily another highlight. This Franciscan priesteloquently expresses Christian spirituality that drives us deeper and wanting more.

Rohr has written numerous books. Perhaps my favorite is Everything Belongs but his newest one Immortal Diamond, The Search for our True Self is another great one. I find I read Rohr with a highlighter and my journal near by. Often I sit for a while with just one of his sentences or paragraphs for nourishment for my spirit.

The Center for Action and Contemplation is Rohr’s home base for teaching now. What a wonderful resource of workshops and materials for the Christian journey. It is my dream to return for another conference there.

I wanted to share with you a few of the quotes from Rohr from the conference:

1. “It takes years to learn the dance of intimacy with God. This involves the capacity to be vulnerable - to reopen wounds, to be aware of weaknesses and ordinariness. This doesn’t come naturally and not in the first half of life.”

Inner work - this movement beyond and to the edge - is always hard but rewarding.

2. “You pray the same way you live. If you can’t be vulnerable with another, you won’t be vulnerable with God.”

3. “Contemplation is the rewiring of our brains in God’s love.”

4. “You are the only you. There is no one like you in the past and no one will be like you in the future. The Holy, the powerful creator, is never, never exhausted.”

5. “The ego is not fit to steer this ship. It is too small.”

6. “Either you see God in all things or you won’t see God.”

7. “Life does not end; it merely changes.”

8. “There is a part of you that always says yes to God. Go back to that place. Trust that yes.”

I know his words left me with deep questions and a hunger to search for a more intimate relationship with God.

Tim’s place - fed my body with great food and my heart with hugs

Richard Rohr - nourished my soul and refreshed my spirit.

Rohr shared this poem by Hafiz:

You have been invited to meet 

The Friend.

No one can resist a Divine Invitation.

That narrows down all our choices 

To just two:

We can come to God 

Dressed for Dancing,

Be carried on a stretcher.

Lots of ponder... What is stirring in your heart today?

The Gift of Disease

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I have a good friend who has a slow growing cancer that will eventually be his cause of death. I enjoy listening to him as he tells me he is discovering unexpected gifts while traveling with this uninvited illness.

He didn’t at first feel that way. At the beginning he was angry, then depressed. One day he said, he just sat there and felt like he was holding his cancer wrapped up as a present. That day his eyes and heart were open to all that this path in life taught him.

He appreciates the small things.

He enjoys the present moments.

He smiles more.

He listens deeply to family and friends.

He experiences God in new ways.

Being a nurse, most of my life I fought against disease. Even as I helped people at the end of life, I held onto quite of bit of resentment at the powerlessness of the situation. I never thought of disease as a gift.

So join me in a little diversion today. Fire up your imagination. Ponder this imaginative decision.

The bad news: In this inventive game, you will have a disease.

The good news: The good news, you get to chose which one.

What would that particular ailment teach you?

I am cheating a bit because I am going to pick an easy disease (you can too if you want). And to be honest, it isn’t really a disease. I am really taking the chicken way out of this assignment...

But here goes:

I chose Synesthesia.

Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sense (e.g., taste) produces experiences in a totally different sense (e.g., sight). What this means is to people with this condition two or more of the senses entwine. Approximately one in 27 people have some form of synesthesia.

For example: Someone with this condition sees letters and numbers in colors or associate sounds with tastes and textures. Other tastes food and beverages in shapes and colors or hears music in colors.

The most common form of synesthesia is called colored hearing. The people who have it get impressions of color, and sometimes of shape from the sounds that they hear.

The letter J means yellow to you or you see purple when you hear or see the number 5.

Maybe July is always navy blue.

You listen to a C sharp in music and see pink.

Imagine that when you see a city's skyline, you taste blackberries.

NPR has a fascinating article on this phenomenon.

"If you ask synesthetes if they'd wish to be rid of it, they almost always say no.

For them, it feels like that's what normal experience is like.

To have that taken away would make them feel like they were being deprived of one sense."

 -- Simon Baron-Cohen, synesthesia researcher at the University of Cambridge

See why I would choose this condition? To hear colors and see sounds adds a new dimension to the joys and experience in life.

Now that would be some gift!

But unfortunately we can’t choose what may arrive unexpectedly in our bodies and brains.

What did I learn by pondering this?

Once again I came face to face with my ego driven urge to control. My journey in life is teaching me more and more about being at peace with powerlessness. I am learning to recognize when this is the source of my anxiety and fear. I cling to God’s promises since He is in charge. I am powerless without Him.

My friend with cancer shared perhaps the greatest gift of disease.

“I haven’t been healed of my cancer, but I’ve been healed in many other ways.”

Powerlessness is not about losing hope; it is all about attitude. Seeing with new eyes what the moment, the circumstance, the unexpected contain. I have always found comfort in this prayer:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.”

—The Serenity Prayer

Wisdom also to see the gifts in disease.

What has disease or feeling powerless taught you?

Your Faith Will Grow - Lectio Divina

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 05 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I have spoken these words while I am here with you.

The Father is sending a great Helper, the Holy Spirit, in My name to teach you everything and to remind you of all I have said to you.

My peace is the legacy I leave to you. I don’t give gifts like those of this world.

Do not let your heart be troubled or fearful.

You were listening when I said, “I will go away, but I will also return to be with you.”

If you love Me, celebrate the fact that I am going to be with the Father because He is far greater than I am.

I have told you all these things in advance so that your faith will grow as these things come to pass.

John 14: 25-29 (The Voice)

I have told you all these things in advance so that your faith will grow

I thought I would dutifully pray about Your great Helper, the Holy Spirit.

I should write inspirational words of You always being with us.

My ego properly makes notes of Your love and legacy of peace.

But other words leap into my heart today, Lord.

Jesus said, “Your faith will grow.”

Jesus said that.

Jesus knows that my faith isn’t dead, dormant or locked away neglected in some hidden place of my heart.

“Your faith will grow.”

Lord, I can almost hear You emphasize the word “will.”

“Your faith WILL grow.”

A promise.

An assurance.

An “I said so, so it will be.”

I hold this pledge like a fragile piece of art, priceless and beautiful.

My faith will grow.

This current empty shell of beliefs and misperceptions of You will expand.

Your love poured into my faith will swell it beyond the edges of unbelief.

I will see with new eyes not just my ideas of You, but deeper glimpses of Your goodness.

My faith will grow.

Lord, Your promise fills me with hope this morning.

I know someday, somehow, with Your power, my faith will reflect You in clear light, no longer veiled or broken.

I cling to Your promise, Lord.

You Are More Beautiful Than You Think - Quote (Video) of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 04 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I watched this video this week and just had to share it. Amazing how we see ourselves so harshly while others see us in a gentler, brighter light.

Please take a few minutes to watch it, listen to their voices, ponder its impact and give yourself permission to feel beautiful

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well...

~ Psalm 139:14 ~

Springtime Squatters

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

We traveled last week and discovered with joy New Mexico. What a wonderful trip.

Returning home to the crazy routines of daily life, we soon realized that uninvited squatters had taken over our backyard.

Yes two robins built a nest in the short time we were gone, claiming the top ledge of the outside speakers for our music. I am sure they thought this was a quiet place with no visitors since there wasn’t any movement in the house for a week.

Their twiggy nursery is located near my office window. Mrs. Robin keeps an eye on me but if I linger by the window too long watching her, she flies off to the nearby fence. I fretted that my activity would scare her from keeping those blue eggs warm, so slowly pass that window without sudden movements.

I am pretty certain she thinks we are the squatters.

We’ve decided to keep the music off so the noise doesn’t startle the little ones. I smile, as I know it won’t be long until I will see them feeding the babies and all too soon they will fly off for new adventures. Then the nest will be empty and quiet and awaiting new life.

The joy in watching new life gives me hope.

The blessing of sharing space with God’s creatures fills my heart with wonder, knowing God takes care of them too.

The appreciation of how quickly time moves on and babies hatch and grow up before we know it.

Two robins nurturing, protecting and providing reminds me Someone is nurturing, protecting and providing for me too.

These squatters may have been unexpected, but what delight they add to springtime.

Sitting is my Only Option

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I’m asking God for one thing,  

only one thing: 

To live with him in his house my whole life long.  

I’ll contemplate his beauty;  

I’ll study at his feet.

Psalm 27:4 (The Message)

His feet.

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet.

After her brother Lazarus died, she “came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet.”

(John 11: 32)

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha fussed getting things ready. Jesus said Mary chose the better part.

(Luke 10)

Mary anointed Jesus’ feet in preparation for the passover, His Passover.

(John 12)

These verses called to me on my silent retreat this year. The invitation was clear to me: I was to sit at Jesus’ feet. I couldn’t deny it, so I literally sat on the floor off and on during that weekend.

Now I am not as young as I used to be. I sat on pillows, leaned on cushions, and rested against the side of the bed. I dragged a chair over to place in front on me, imagining Jesus sitting here.

I sat before our King and Savior.

Literally.

My heartfelt, tear-stained prayer asked for only one thing:

“To live with Him in His house my entire life; to contemplate His majesty and to sit at His feet.”

By this old age I know myself pretty well. Living within my skin and taking all sorts of personality tests, I know how I am wired and what motivates me:

To accomplish.

To do.

To achieve.

To mark things off my to-do list.

Yet God invites me to sit.

I shake my head at the irony. God knows what I most deeply need. I think I am sitting in front of Him for Him, but God has placed me there for my transformation.

I don’t want it to be about me. I want my worship to be about Him. Yet as He cleanses my heart and clears my mind, I can better reflect Him.

Amazing, isn’t it?

Amazing isn’t He?

Amazing God.

My only response to this holy approach?

I am asking for one thing, only one thing:

To live within God forever and

To sit at His feet in love and contemplation.

Sitting is my only option.

Standing At God’s Doorway - Lectio Divina

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Hear my prayer, O Lord God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah

Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor;

No good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84: 8-12 (NIV)

I would rather be a doorkeeper.

I wonder what it would be like to be God’s doorkeeper.

To see all who comes and goes.

What they look like and what they carry to God?

I wonder if God’s doorkeeper ever puts her ear against the door and quietly eavesdrops.

Does she peek in?

Does she ever enter herself?

Does God even see her standing there?

Lord, at times I am your doorkeeper.

I stand half way, on the threshold of fully committing to you.

One foot in.

One foot turned away,

set to run back to my wicked ways.

I linger around the edges of Your goodness, wanting more yet afraid to ask.

I wait, but nor sure why I hesitate.

I dawdle with my reluctant heart and stubborn feet.

The Psalmist sings, “Blessed is the man who trusts in you.”

Help me to trust you more – to run through your door into your waiting arms.

Teach Me to Listen Prayer - Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Teach me to listen, O God,

To those nearest me,

My family, my friends my co-workers,

Help me to be aware that

No matter what words I hear,

The message is

“Accept the person I am. Listen to me.”

Teach me to listen, my caring God,

To those far from me –

The whisper of the hopeless,

The plea of the forgotten,

The cry of the anguished.

Teach me to listen, O God my Mother,

To myself.

Help me to be less afraid

To trust the voice inside –

In the deepest part of me

Teach me to listen, Holy Spirit,

For your voice-

In busyness and in boredom,

In certainty and in doubt,

In noise and in silence.

Teach me, Lord, to listen.

Amen

- adapted from St Ignatius by John Veltri SJ

Companions for the Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

I love this painting of the Emmaus Road. Two friends walking together down the path of life with Jesus beside them.

Who is companioning you on your journey?

Some will answer that question by saying Jesus is their companion. Others will reply besides Jesus, they share their faith stories with family and friends. In addition, others grow by speaking with a spiritual director.

In my program to become a spiritual director we had the assignment to pick someone from history, a spiritual giant, to study with for two years. There is so much we can learn from studying others who came before us.

I am not a fan of the word “spiritual giants” since these people are humans with weaknesses, difficulties and even poor decision making. Saints were not super humans, but in reality they were flawed and sinful just like us. But somehow they kept running that race; their lives reflect what we wish for, what we desire most deeply and the direction in which we are headed in life. They can be mentors for us. They can teach us.

I chose Dorothy Day. Others in my group learned about St Augustine, Martin Luther, Julia of Norwich, Catherine of Sienna, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Merton, C.S. Lewis, Evelyn Underhill and John Wesley.

We read about them and studied to find out how they grew spiritually, what their view of God was, how did they pray, and how did they grew. What did they write? What did others say about them? How did they hear God? How did they know God’s will? What mistakes did they make? Who influence them? Whom did they influence?

My challenge to you is to seek to find someone this year and dig deeply into their life and their faith journey. Read about them. Find out how they grew spiritually. Do an Internet search about their life. Develop an expertise on that person.

Several weeks ago I survey many of you to help me select a woman from history to study. The one with the most votes was Hildegard of Bingen. Currently I am reading two books about her and will soon post about what she is teaching me.

We become what we focus on.

Who you are journeying with can help you grow and teach you how to focus on Jesus. They can help us become transformed into the person God called us to be.

Hebrews chapter 12 tells us we have cheerleaders in life. A great cloud of witnesses, those who have gone before us, encourage us on our journey. We can learn much from their lives of faith.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.

Hebrew 12:1

Who will you invite this year to walk with you on your journey?

Word for the Year vs. Word for Life

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

“Stretch” is my word for the year. After prayfully discovering that somewhat frightening word, I am finding its thread though my days.

But I have also found a word for my life. I call it my core word, one that describes a basic essence of my being.

Nurture.

“Nurture” bubbles up from my soul. Core words describe a movement, an identity, and something deep within our DNA that drives all of our passions and needs. We spend a lifetime searching for these core words and it is an adventure to explore and discover them.

In 2009 I finally was able to put a label a deep part of my center, where God’s fingerprints first formed my spirit: nurture.

As a young child I knew I wanted to be a writer. As a daughter of a physician, I was often asked, “Do you want to be nurse when you grow up?” “No!” I would emphatically say with a stomp of my foot.

When I was 16, I heard God clearly calling me to be a nurse and I have never regretted following that vocation. I buried my first call to write, though across my adult years I dabbled in speaking and writing. I do believe I followed God on the path He wanted me to go in health care. Yet I always thought the two were separate until that year.

In 2006, I retired from fulltime public health nursing and God began opening doors once again for writing and speaking. Through prayer, spiritual direction and journaling, I discerned a new call to nurture others into the wonder of God. I clarified this to mean to help others know God more, to love God more and to see him in all things. My calling was to work in spiritual formation – facilitating the journey of other pilgrims to reflect and respond to God’s spirit within them - nurturing others to pay attention to God’s deep desire to build a closer relationship.

Nurture evolved into my core word for writing, speaking and spiritual direction.

Again I thought I was moving into a new chapter of my life when I amazingly discovered the word NURSE has the same root word as nurture. Latin for nurse is nutrire or to nourish or nurture. Wow. My two separate life journeys merged onto the same path. God buried the seed of nurture deep within my soul and He nursed it throughout my life.

Isn’t God astonishing? The gift of discovering two aspects of my life blending together into a surprising combination refreshed my soul.

What is your story and your core word? Discovering this deep essence takes a lifetime but the process leads to healthy spirituality. Dig deeper!

The Lord, My Shepherd - Lectio Divina

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me

John 10: 27

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

 He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk  through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me;  

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil;  

my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me  all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

These words speak for themselves, Lord.

This is my prayer this morning.

To recognize You and only You as my Shepherd.

To be so close to Your breath, that I hear even Your quietest whisper.

To have my only steps following the footprints You have laid before me.

To lie down at night in Your arms and drink from Your refreshing water.

To know with all my heart that even in the darkest moments of life, when all is confused, chaotic and cloudy, You are there with me.

To feel Your healing touch on my broken and painful hurting heart.

To bow down in thankfulness for the many blessings from You, those I know and those unknown.

To see Your goodness, grace and love all my life and

To make my home in Your pasture forever.

Lord, You are my Shepherd.

Native American Prayer - Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Earth teach me stillness

as the grasses are stilled with light.

Earth teach me suffering

as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility

as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth teach me caring

as the mother who secures her young.

Earth teach me courage

as the tree which stands all alone.

Earth teach me limitation

as the ant which crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom

as the eagle which soars in the sky.

Earth teach me resignation

as the leaves which die in the fall.

Earth teach me regeneration

as the seed which rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself

as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness

as dry fields weep with rain.

— Ute prayer

Joni and Ken - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Looking for an inspirational book to read?

I heard the story of Joni Eareckson Tada years ago. I have watched her ministry to provide wheelchairs throughout the world. I smiled when I heard she found love and married Ken. What a courageous woman she is. I admire her willingness to share her experiences and its lessons with us.

Joni and Ken - an Untold Love Story is their latest book just released by Zondervan.

Yes it is a love story but not exactly a “happily ever after” one. Joni and Ken’s 30 years of marriage has been full of challenges for both of them, but a path that has made them stronger. But like most of life, it is the day-to-day routines and problems that wears us down.

“In reality, living with quadriplegia was never normal and even the most compelling of international escapades began to fade after a while For Ken what didn’t fade was the daily-nightly-daily-nightly drudgery of Joni’s disability routines.”

Ken and Joni are honest and open about their ups and downs of their marriage. They may have felt fragile at times, but never lost their hope in God. This book brims with prayer and witness that marriage has three people: two humans and one Almighty Lord.

One of my passions is praying and supporting caregivers. This book will give the reader a real glimpse into the emotional side of caregiving and the demands emotionally, physically and spiritually they endure.

And this couple has faced problems together: Joni’s paralysis, Ken’s depression, unexpected overwhelming bouts of pain, cancer, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and pneumonia. Yet they stick to their commitment to one another and to loving and serving God.

Neat book to read!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What book have you read lately to recommend?

Easily Forgotten Companion

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Ever hear of Gerhard Tersteegen?

Me neither.

I read a quote from him the other day that struck me and made me curious abut him. Who was he?

Here is the quote:

“God is essentially present with us in a manner that is incomprehensive to us.

He fills heaven an earth; in him we live, move and have our being.

He is also near our most secret thoughts, inclinations, desires and intentions.”

Edward Hays in his “Book of Wonders” pondered this quote and gives God the name, “My Easily Forgotten Companion.” Now that is something to think about.

That isn’t what I call God, but in reality how I treat Him. I conveniently forget God. I ignore His urges and commandments. I turn my attention away from His Presence that never leaves my side.

Tersteegen later wrote:

“You must withdraw into yourself a little and keep quiet before the face of God, then look gently and perfectly frankly at God who is so near to us, to let Him see if there is anything in us or near us which must be handed over, and assure Him of our hearty consent to give up everything to Him.”

Gerhard Tersteegen

Gerhard Tersteegen lived from 1697 to 1769 in Prussia, later Germany. He was apprenticed to a merchant, before taking up weaving, an occupation that allowed him more time for his devotional studies and hymn writing.

A neighboring godly tradesman taught him that he could know Christ in daily life, and Tersteegen vowed to devote his life to God. Unable to find time for devotions during the day, he spent entire nights fasting and praying.

He was only twenty when a deep depression closed around him. For five years he had no impression of God and even began to doubt His existence. Yet he wrote hymns of faith and continued to seek God. One day God drew so close to Tersteegen that the sorrowing man knew absolute peace and from that time his life was never the same.

He moved into an isolated cottage to spend time with God. Later people began to come to him for spiritual guidance. Thousands came to Tersteegen for spiritual counsel, many traveling great distances, and sometimes waiting for hours in order to hear his words for a few minutes.

He published more than 100 hymns, in addition to his poetry and books. His hymns were so popular, they were sung at weddings, social gatherings, and even spoken as greetings.

I never heard of Gerhard Tersteegen before, but what a witness to faith.

Lessons

After reading about his thirst and love of God, I found many lessons:

· Who was this godly tradesman that nurtured his faith? Others watch our behavior as Christian all the time. We never really know who is learning from us and our from our actions (or lack of actions) and our words.

· Once again I am amazed at the power of the written and spoken word. Whether it is just between friends, in a blog or book or in a more formal presentation. We can change lives through the Word and by His word.

· How often do I treat God as my Easily Forgotten Companion? Too often I fear. Less often I hope.

· God is always with us even when we can’t feel or hear Him.

Here is a verse from one of his hymns: Thou Hidden Love of God

Thou hidden love of God, whose height,

Whose depth unfathom’d no man knows,

I see from far thy beauteous light,

Inly I sigh for thy repose;

My heart is pain’d, nor can it be

At rest, till it finds rest in thee.

’Tis mercy all, that thou hast brought

My mind to seek her peace in thee;

Yet while I seek, but find thee not,

No peace my wand’ring soul shall see;

O when shall all my wand’rings end,

And all my steps to thee-ward tend!

O hide this self from me, that I

No more, but Christ in me may live;

My vile affections crucify,

Nor let one darling lust survive;

In all things nothing may I see,

Nothing desire or seek but thee.

O Love, thy sov’reign aid impart,

To save me from low-thoughted care:

Chase this self-will thro’ all my heart,

Thro’ all its latent mazes there:

Make me thy duteous child, that I

Ceaseless may Abba, Father, cry!

Each moment draw from earth away

My heart that lowly waits thy call:

Speak to my inmost soul, and say,

I am thy love, thy God, thy all!

To feel thy power, to hear thy voice,

To taste thy love, be all my choice.

Lessons from a man whose name history has forgotten, but whose faith continues to shine for us today.

The Lord is my Song - Lectio Divina

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

The Lord is my strength and my song

and has become my salvation.

Psalm 118: 14

My Song

Lord, I am weak without You.

You are my strength

Lord, I am lost without You.

You are my salvation.

But Lord, I never thought before that You are my song.

But yes, You are the maestro and my conductor of all I speak and do.

You create simple scales, detailed orchestration and lovely tunes that accompany my every moment.

Your melody adds harmony to my life.

Your voice is the swelling crescendo of all the open thresholds You direct my paths through.

Your melody vibrates in my every cell.

You are music, Lord.

You exist in every silly chantey to the quarter rest in grand symphonies.

You are the hush in a lullaby.

You fuel the love in a serenade.

You are the energetic beat of the bass drum in a march.

You are song, Lord.

You are the trumpets announcing the birth of new life.

You are the hymns comforting the broken hearted.

You are the chords proclaiming holy matrimony.

I want to sing harmony with You, Lord

May my path of life follow You as my troubadour,

You are my strength.

You are my salvation.

You are my song.

Weekend Blessing - Quote of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

"May you learn to see your self  

with the same delight,  

pride,

and expectation  

with which God sees you in every moment."

 — John O'Donohue

Regrets

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

A friend of mine a few years back worked in admissions in a nursing home. One day he admitted a frail, elderly lady in a wheelchair. The lady looked him right in the eye and said to him,

“Don’t wake up one day and be like me. Too old now to do what I really wanted to do. Time moves so quickly. Do what you deeply want now.”

Her words struck him and he knew right away what to do. Strange as it may sound he wanted to change his first name legally. After that momentous conversation with this lady, he made the appointment with his lawyer to begin the process. He did change his name and never regretted taking this action.

“The Top Five Regrets of the Dying” published last year by AARPcaught my eye recently.

What were those regrets?

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the number one regret of all. At the end of life, people reflect about dreams they wished they had tried to fulfill.

My lesson: Honor and listen to my dreams.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

Like the saying goes, no one on their deathbed wishes they spent more time at the office.

My lesson: Turn off this darn computer and get off my smart phone and really be present and BE with those I love more often.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Healthy relationships rely on honest, open and loving sharing of true emotions.

My lesson: Ponder how honest I am in my relationships. My first impulse is to say I am but this is a wonderful opportunity to listen and observe myself. Maybe I will discover something new. I do know as I grow older, I am more honest. Will probably turn into a cantankerous old woman someday! HA!

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

I have written on this blog how strongly I feel about the importance of lifelong friendships. Also I am learning how to let go of being bothered by interruptions, treating them as nuisances, and embrace them as intermissions and opportunities.

My lesson:Another chance to ponder. Is there someone I want to reconnect with from my past?

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

The article mentioned this was also a very common regret. So often we let life drag us down instead of choosing to be happier. Our natural tendency may be to fret, get discouraged, or want to give up, but with God we can recognize our default mode and make the decision to live in His freedom, joy and love.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6: 25-34

My lesson: Choose Christ. Choose to dance in His joy.

This is the time to think about regrets, not later in life when you can’t do much about them.

I wrote a few months ago a post about regrets, but these five wishes made me pause and think again about life.

What lessons have you learned from regrets?

Where Were You Ten Years Ago?

noreply@blogger.com (Jean Wise) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Where were you ten years ago?

2003.

I took out my journal from that year this morning and travelled back in time.

Work drove me crazy that year. I know the financial burdens, the personnel issues and the ongoing less than happy job satisfaction I identified that year, steered me to my eventual early retirement from that position in 2006.

We remodeled the kitchen. If you ever tore up your house for a major renovation, you know exactly how I felt ten years ago.

My brother-in-law died.

My kids all experienced tensions, decisions and restlessness.

And I answered God’s call to step out of my comfort zone and into new adventures. The first holy invitation opened with the beginning of my journey to become a spiritual director that year. I completed that wonderful, still evolving process in 2006.

My journal records another significant call that year: November 20, 2003.

I had been praying for guidance in the study to be an associate in ministry or what is sometimes called an AiM. An AiM is a recognized lay position within the Lutheran church that assists with a specific ministry.

To be honest I wasn’t sure I wanted to go that route. I would have to apply, get references, study online for three years, pass psychological testing (Don’t laugh. My family told me they would test me and probably commit me permanently to an institution. HA!), and complete a supervised field experience of at least 600 hours. Throughout the process the candidacy committee monitors your progress through interviews, paperwork and approvals of each step.

WHEW! I really didn’t think taking this step was a good idea with everything else going on in my life. I would be absolutely crazy to attempt this direction And who was I to think I was worthy of this type of calling?

But November 20 2003 changed everything. As I drove east towards Bryan, Ohio on State Route 34, just west of the intersection with State Route 576, I chatted with God about all that was going on in my daily madness.

I heard God say, “Yes!”

I didn’t believe I heard that. My imagination? Then I heard it again,

YES.

Ok, Lord. yes to what? I am not sure what you are telling me.

YES.

No details. Just a simple, but resounding YES. What did this mean?

The next few days, I journaled. I talked with others, especially those who knew me and those with spiritual wisdom. My pastor heard my story and encouraged me to move forward. My family supported me.

I prayed. I listened.

Slowly the muddy waters settled. Discernment led me to believe God was saying YES to the call to become an AiM.

Ok, Lord, I am not sure what I am doing. I will take the next step and You better stop me if You don’t want me to do this.

That was ten years ago.

This past Sunday, April 7, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church called me to be an AiM on their staff.

A new door is now opened in my journey with the Lord.

Were the past ten years easy? No.

Was the direction God was leading me clear? Only occasionally.

Did everything happen in my timing? Certainly not when I wanted things to occur, but looking backwards I can tell God was in control.

Rereading those journals, I see God’s hand on my every move, guiding me, creating opportunities out of nothingness, and always being present.

GOD IS ALWAYS calling us! But there are distinctive moments in this call of his, moments which leave a permanent mark on us—moments which we never forget.

Carlo Carretto

Discernment often isn’t clear. Most of the time God just shows us the next step to take and our job is to be faithful and step forward in trust.

One step at a time.

Thank you Lord for this new opportunity. May I be Your servant in this new adventure.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Looking back the past 10 years, what have you learn from God?