"In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."
John 14:2
Pray-As-You-Go had a lovely little Lectio Divina prayer with this Gospel this morning and it was wonderful for me. Maybe it would be worthwhile for you to try this spring weekend! First read the Gospel (or you can listen to it, link below) Think about the words that jump out and capture your imagination in the reading. For me, the words "dwelling places" jumped out, probably because I'm wound up about my dwelling places right now. I'm selling one and am needing one in my new place when I move, so dwelling places are on top of my fret list! Then, PAYG asks that you pray with the words that jumped out for a little while and imagine those are the words Jesus is saying to you today. A bit later in the reading Jesus tells his apostles, "I am the way, the truth and the life." (v. 6) In my prayer, I heard Jesus say to me, "I am your dwelling place, heidi-dear. Live in me. Rest in me." Seriously, a wave of calm came over me in hearing that! I invite you to try this with any Gospel, but this one sure gave me exactly what I need today. Blessings on your spring weekend! Love, heidi
Pray-As-You-Go
Friday, April 27, 2018
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Twirling at the crossroads...
"As to (St) Francis, he twirls around like a top at a crossroads to discern which way God wants him to go, and then sets off with utter confidence in the direction where he finally lands."
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 4/26/2018
I giggled when I read this today because it sounds a wee bit like me, but for the "utter confidence" part. I wish I had more of the utter confidence. I mean, I do, but it is quite buried in the depths of my heart and I need to visit it there often or I will go nuts. I need to just stop my racing brain and sit in stillness, several times a day, in fact. I need to go deep or I will get dizzy from the twirling I am doing at this crossroads! Whenever we make huge changes in our lives we may spin around, but something mysterious lures us in one direction. I have seen it many times in my own life and now see it as our adult kids grow and make changes in their lives. Today, as the school year winds down and big changes are occurring in the lives of many, let's pray that all can find peace deep within. It is there, but we have to stop twirling and tap into it. Love, heidi
(If you would like to receive Fr. Rohr's Daily Meditation, sign up by visiting Rohr Daily)
Fr. Richard Rohr, Daily Meditation, 4/26/2018
I giggled when I read this today because it sounds a wee bit like me, but for the "utter confidence" part. I wish I had more of the utter confidence. I mean, I do, but it is quite buried in the depths of my heart and I need to visit it there often or I will go nuts. I need to just stop my racing brain and sit in stillness, several times a day, in fact. I need to go deep or I will get dizzy from the twirling I am doing at this crossroads! Whenever we make huge changes in our lives we may spin around, but something mysterious lures us in one direction. I have seen it many times in my own life and now see it as our adult kids grow and make changes in their lives. Today, as the school year winds down and big changes are occurring in the lives of many, let's pray that all can find peace deep within. It is there, but we have to stop twirling and tap into it. Love, heidi
(If you would like to receive Fr. Rohr's Daily Meditation, sign up by visiting Rohr Daily)
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
New calls and possibilities...
"Whether the path is difficult or easy, confused or clear; it is true for everyone that one is never at the goal and must always remain open for new calls and possibilities."
Adrienne von Speyr, "The Discourses of Controversy" (Give Us This Day)
As we grow older, it is harder to hear and process new "calls," I fear. We get overly comfortable in our old calls and settle in, even if they began to feel constricting and less comfortable. They still seem to fit, somewhat. Sometimes we may think we think we hear a call that goes against conventional wisdom (whatever THAT is). People question us, we question ourselves. But the call may seem so alluring and beckoning that we just can't turn off its music in our heads. It's like a siren song, guiding us through a murky fog, leading us to a new place. If all of this sounds like I know what I'm talking about, it's because I'm going through this right now. Retirement and a move are on the horizon for me, and while it is all so exciting, it is all quite nerve-wracking, too. I'm on the amusement park ride and I'm a little too anxious to throw my arms up in the air--I'm holding on for dear life. But, through this whole thing, I know that this is the answer to my prayers for the last several years, "What am I to do, dearest God? And where do you want me to do it?" When we pray and pray and pray...at some point we may get an answer! And, as I'm learning in my Immortal Diamond course, "The answer to every prayer is the same; it's the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Fr. Richard Rohr). And that is the most tremendous gift of all! Love, heidi
Adrienne von Speyr, "The Discourses of Controversy" (Give Us This Day)
As we grow older, it is harder to hear and process new "calls," I fear. We get overly comfortable in our old calls and settle in, even if they began to feel constricting and less comfortable. They still seem to fit, somewhat. Sometimes we may think we think we hear a call that goes against conventional wisdom (whatever THAT is). People question us, we question ourselves. But the call may seem so alluring and beckoning that we just can't turn off its music in our heads. It's like a siren song, guiding us through a murky fog, leading us to a new place. If all of this sounds like I know what I'm talking about, it's because I'm going through this right now. Retirement and a move are on the horizon for me, and while it is all so exciting, it is all quite nerve-wracking, too. I'm on the amusement park ride and I'm a little too anxious to throw my arms up in the air--I'm holding on for dear life. But, through this whole thing, I know that this is the answer to my prayers for the last several years, "What am I to do, dearest God? And where do you want me to do it?" When we pray and pray and pray...at some point we may get an answer! And, as I'm learning in my Immortal Diamond course, "The answer to every prayer is the same; it's the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Fr. Richard Rohr). And that is the most tremendous gift of all! Love, heidi
Monday, April 23, 2018
Live abundantly!
"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
John 10:10
I had super abundant life this past weekend, as most of my time was spent outside! It was the first weekend this spring I was outside enjoying God's gift of warm sunshine. I was able to dig in the dirt, clean out flower beds, revel in a freshly mowed lawn (that I didn't have to mow!) I just sat and listened to birds singing and watched a lady bug doing her lady bug thing in my daisy bed. It was all so perfect! It's amazing how a couple of days of sun can warm our winter-weary bones, isn't it? Not to mention our saggy winter spirits. We can see abundant life in the fresh newness of spring as we study the First Bible--creation. Every living thing teaches us about God. The tiny lady bug I watched was as beautiful as anything I have ever seen. How do we see living abundantly as Jesus promises it to us here? There are as many ways to live abundantly as there are people living it. What is abundant life to us? Love, heidi
John 10:10
I had super abundant life this past weekend, as most of my time was spent outside! It was the first weekend this spring I was outside enjoying God's gift of warm sunshine. I was able to dig in the dirt, clean out flower beds, revel in a freshly mowed lawn (that I didn't have to mow!) I just sat and listened to birds singing and watched a lady bug doing her lady bug thing in my daisy bed. It was all so perfect! It's amazing how a couple of days of sun can warm our winter-weary bones, isn't it? Not to mention our saggy winter spirits. We can see abundant life in the fresh newness of spring as we study the First Bible--creation. Every living thing teaches us about God. The tiny lady bug I watched was as beautiful as anything I have ever seen. How do we see living abundantly as Jesus promises it to us here? There are as many ways to live abundantly as there are people living it. What is abundant life to us? Love, heidi
Friday, April 20, 2018
Leap out of the boat!
"To be a follower of Jesus, I too have to be willing to take risks, to speak truth. To follow Jesus is sometimes to go for broke, to give without counting the cost, to be reckless in loving and forgiving."
The Little White Book
And those risks can feel difficult when one is a person who likes security and the cozy comfort of the "known." That's why it is so important to recognize that we don't go through these experiences alone. Our prayer should be that God will give us all that we need to weather change and uncertainty. If God is beckoning us to step out of the boat and walk on the water, Jesus is right there to take our hand and steady us for the journey. Today, as we celebrate a spring Friday (is there anything better?) let's pay close attention to any beckoning we may be sensing from God. Shake away any fears or misgivings, if the call is from God, we should leap out of the boat! Love, heidi
The Little White Book
And those risks can feel difficult when one is a person who likes security and the cozy comfort of the "known." That's why it is so important to recognize that we don't go through these experiences alone. Our prayer should be that God will give us all that we need to weather change and uncertainty. If God is beckoning us to step out of the boat and walk on the water, Jesus is right there to take our hand and steady us for the journey. Today, as we celebrate a spring Friday (is there anything better?) let's pay close attention to any beckoning we may be sensing from God. Shake away any fears or misgivings, if the call is from God, we should leap out of the boat! Love, heidi
Thursday, April 19, 2018
Celebrate life!
"Sing joyfully to God all you on earth!"
Psalm 66:1
As I was sitting in my prayer space this morning, doing the readings, I heard a lovely birdsong outside. The bird was singing her little heart out, celebrating the coming dawn. I stopped and just listened. A spring day is being heralded, most joyfully, by this little bird. It struck me that the Psalmist is calling all of creation to sing to God, not just human beings. Every living thing on this earth and flying above this earth is called to give glory to God. Sometimes I wonder if the birds, creatures and plants don't heed this calling better than humans do. The trees budding are giving glory to God, the critters critter-ing are doing what they do, giving glory to God. We can learn so much from our brothers and sisters in creation. Today, as we go about our usual spring Thursday, let's make sure we are singing joyfully to God in our celebration of life and all of creation. It's a great day to celebrate the gift of life! Love, heidi
Psalm 66:1
As I was sitting in my prayer space this morning, doing the readings, I heard a lovely birdsong outside. The bird was singing her little heart out, celebrating the coming dawn. I stopped and just listened. A spring day is being heralded, most joyfully, by this little bird. It struck me that the Psalmist is calling all of creation to sing to God, not just human beings. Every living thing on this earth and flying above this earth is called to give glory to God. Sometimes I wonder if the birds, creatures and plants don't heed this calling better than humans do. The trees budding are giving glory to God, the critters critter-ing are doing what they do, giving glory to God. We can learn so much from our brothers and sisters in creation. Today, as we go about our usual spring Thursday, let's make sure we are singing joyfully to God in our celebration of life and all of creation. It's a great day to celebrate the gift of life! Love, heidi
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