Gospel vs. gossip

"Remove  wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."
Luke 6:42

 

As I was praying with this Gospel this morning, I realized the similarities in the words "Gospel" and "gossip."  Gospel signifies good news; the Good News of Jesus.  Gossip is the opposite, really. Gospel is truth, gossip is probably not. Today, let's concentrate on living the Gospel of Jesus and not let ourselves get sucked into the gossip we may hear at work. Jesus gives us the perfect blueprint how to treat others--giving them the benefit of the doubt.  That is truth.  What you may hear around the water cooler, not so much.  Blessings on your Friday and your later summer weekend!  Love, heidi

The Examen

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Luke 6:36

One of the prayers that I find very helpful is the Examen, given to us by St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. One could actually incorporate this prayer into the silence at the end of the day, if that was helpful.  The Examen is simply, prayerfully going through the events of the completed day and seeing where God was vividly present.  God was certainly present in the entire day--every single minute! But, sometimes combing through the events of the day helps us to see God where we may not expect to see God. We could note certain promptings or inclinations that may have occurred through the day. How did we respond?  Can we see where God is present as we look back where maybe we didn't see God while the events were happening?  Are there times we can say, "Wow, I wish I'd done THAT differently!"  Or, "I sure could have gone without saying THAT!" (If that pops up for you, welcome to my head).  The Examen is a time to connect at the end of the day to see the God tracks throughout the day.  It helps us to see how God is very active and present throughout our daily work-a-day lives.  It also helps us to see the times we may want to do a bit better next time.  Love, heidi

Think of what is above...

"Think of what is above, not of what is on earth."

Colossians 3:2

 

I tried something new last night that really helped me turn off the day and my "thinking of what is on earth." Since it is getting dark so much earlier I took advantage of that, lit a candle and just sat in the candle-light and silence for a while.  I didn't do any reading, thus not engaging my mind there.  I didn't turn on any music, thus engaging my mind there, either.  I just sat in the glow of the candle and let go of the day.  My mind wandered a bit, as it swept out the last of Tuesday, but it gave me such a lovely, peace-filled mind and heart.  Still in silence and without turning on the lights, (don't try this if you don't have some adaptive skills!) I crawled into bed.  I was able to settle into such a peaceful rest and can't help but wonder if letting go of the day like this may be the reason. If you have a difficult time thinking of what is above and letting go of a busy day on earth, you may want to try this little prayer form.  Just sit in the glow of a candle and rest with Jesus.  No need to say anything, read anything or listen to anything except Jesus. Just rest and let go of the day.  Love, heidi

Happy New Year!

"Brothers and Sisters: We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to God's purpose..."

Romans 8:28

 

It's easy to see things working for good when good things happen, isn't it? It takes a bit more faith, on our part, to see the good when things seem to be going sour or we're just plodding along dismally. That may be because we have such a limited view of things from out little human vantage point. From God's infinite perspective, God can see so many more possibilities that can bring us good--a good we never could imagine on our own. Today, this Tuesday after Labor Day, always feels like the beginning of a new year to me.  Probably because the kids used to always start school this day.  In the spirit of a seasonal new year, Happy New Year to you all!  Let's celebrate with healthy habits, prayerful, eager spirits, and open minds and hearts to seeing God's good in all things!  Love, heidi

The calls and the mira-calls

"For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him..."

Luke 5:9

 

When we accept the call from Jesus do we always witness an accompanying miracle?  Peter and his friends in today's Gospel come in from a night of fishing with a meager catch.  Jesus tells them to "Go deep!" And they return with nets so full they are tearing!  Jesus follows up the miracle with a call to them to become "fishers of people." My question today is, what miracle did we witness when Jesus called us?  We have all been called by Jesus...what was the accompanying miracle?  As I thought about this, I remembered so many times in my life when I felt the call...and then I could recount the miracle. The Spanish word "mira" means "look."  It is a lovely prayer to just sit with Jesus and remember your calls and your "mira-calls"...Look at the calls from Jesus and see the miracles accompanying them.  Love, heidi

It's OK

"It's okay

to not be okay..."

"Exhale," by Tiffany Lee, Matt Armstrong, Josh Silverberg; performed by Plumb

 

This song has been getting a lot of airplay lately and it has message I really love. The artist explains on a "Behind the Music" segment that her husband heard this message from a pastor the first Sunday he attended church after they had separated.  He was definitely NOT okay and really needed to hear that he was still in the right place, there at church.  In thinking about it, it is so reassuring to know that God is with us throughout it all.  There are times when it is so easy to praise God; things are going well, we're cooking right along.  And then there are the other times.  When we feel weak, we reach out as vulnerable, needy children.  God is always closer than we can imagine.  In our weakness, God can show us strength. 

If you have a chance, today, listen to this beautiful song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQcJjDcST1A

Blessings on your Wednesday!  Love, heidi