What is the one thing that is always with us? Our breath. When we are born, the first thing we do is inhale. At our death, the last thing we do is exhale. Let’s start with a Creation myth: At the conception of our spirit, the Creator carved off a piece of Itself and …
Contemplative Pause: Breathe to the Rhythm of Ruah Read More »
The growing season is upon us. And, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to grow — tomatoes! But, I have also been reflecting upon what I am growing in myself — body, mind, spirit, and heart. It takes a lot to grow into your best self. That includes compost. What is this …
Have you noticed lately that we don’t seem to be doing anything low key? Everything just seems big and loud. Lots of strong feelings. The one that I notice most is anger. So, what do we do with the anger that percolates inside of each of us? If you are like me, anger is exhausting …
We can be contemplative. We can be active. But, sometimes the bridge between the two is obscured by our doubt that we cannot be both. I know it is confusing, but we can be a contemplative in a world of action. The other day I asked someone how their actions reflected their contemplative nature. That …
At last Wednesday’s Contemplative Pause, Van led us in a guided meditation to find our Sacred Tree. We had a LOT of oaks; don’t know what that says about our group, lol. We also had a Persimmon, Sweet Gum, Sycamore (Angie) and Willow (Van). It was a great time. But if you missed it, never fear! …
Last week as I was catching up on the news, I watched a short clip of Donald Wynn Williams testifying at the Derek Chauvin trial. The defense attorney asked him if he got angrier and angrier as he watch the police officer kneel on George Floyd’s neck. He response? “No, I got more and more …
“But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” (Luke 23:49) Today is Good Friday, the day that Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. There’s a lot to unpack there but given the recent uptick in violence against Asian Americans, what I’ve …
Good Friday, Bystanders, and Violence against Asian Americans Read More »
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Have you ever heard of the Sacred Heart of Jesus? I remember my Mom, a devout Catholic, praying to this icon of Jesus. In fact when she died, one of my treasured heirlooms was a large Sacred Heart of Jesus holy card with a picture of me taped to it. …
Oh my gosh y’all, I have had a head cold for three days now. All I want to do is like wallow in bed, because I gotta tell you – I am a WUSS when it comes to suffering. If I can avoid it, I will. If I can end it, I do. But suffering …
As a Christian, I want to say that I was FLABBERGASTED to see the Christian paraphernalia dotting the mobs that stormed the capitol…but really I was not. Here’s the thing. I am new to Christianity myself, and was only baptized five years ago. Why so recently? Because I grew up seeing, if not mobs of …
The Storming of the Capitol: One Christian’s Response Read More »