Taking a Deep Breath for Perspective

My sister called me the other day right after Congress failed to pass a bill to bail out Wall street. She asked me what to do. I told her to call her financial planner to seek their expertise. I also told her not to panic, to stay the course in what she is doing for [...]

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Soul Tending 101 – Connecting Poetry and Spirituality

Poetry is one of my favorite genres of literature. I savor the works of Mary Oliver, David Whyte and Denise Levertov to name a few. In talking with a friend of mine recently, I had a difficult time finding the right words to define poetry so I went online and looked up the definition.
This definition [...]

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Praying the News – On with Debating the Issues

Let us pray for all those who debate politics,
Who care for the concern of our nation,
Who race to the house of leadership.
May they be mindful that they serve people of all social classes,
May they be attentive to the needs of the poor,
the vulnerable,
the worried,
the stressed,
all those who struggle from paycheck to paycheck.
May their conscience guide [...]

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Bible and the Spirit: John 14:27

Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.

John 14:27 NRSV
 
 
Consider these questions for reflection when praying with this passage:
 
In what ways do you experience God’s peace?
How is God’s peace different for you [...]

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Blessing Prayer of Autumn

Wind of Heaven,
May we listen to your Spirit moving in the air of Autumn:
A season of transition, a season of change;
A season of harvest, a bounty of goodness;
A season of mystery, of dying and letting go;
A season of trust, of new life being promised again.
May we take time to find moments of quiet in our [...]

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How do you know when you hear the voice of God?

There’s a line from Psalm 95 that says “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your heart.” Last weekend, I had a great conversation with a friend of mine on the question of hearing the voice of God in our lives. How do you know when you hear the voice of God?
Brief clarification: I [...]

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Soul Tending 101 – Immerse Yourself in the Season of Autumn

For most of us, this is the time when we begin the Autumn season. For this is the time when the grass begins to turn brown; the winds are shifting toward a cooler breeze. The leaves are beginning to turn, revealing an abundance of color. The trees are moving toward giving up all of their [...]

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Praying the News – In the Market for Balance and Perspective

Creator God,
whose love and goodness are not measured in financial terms,
we thank you for the gift of life and for the constant reminder
that there is more to life than mere survival.
Hear us as we pray:
The reality is that we live in a culture
where money and economics matter.
Help us keep perspective
as we struggle to understand
and work [...]

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Bible and the Spirit: Colossians 4:2

Be persistent in prayer,
and keep alert as you pray,
giving thanks to God.

Colossians 4:2 Today’s English Version
 
 
In praying with this passage, consider these questions for reflection:
 
How are you persistent in your life?
In what ways are you determined in your prayer?
For what are you grateful?
In what ways do you stay alert and pay attention?
What do you ask [...]

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Blessing Prayer for Friends

Blessed are You, God of all creation
For You give us the gift of friendship.
We remember and we give You thanks and praise.
May Your Spirit empower us courageously with hope
when our hearts are troubled,
touch us gently with peace
when we walk our separate paths,
and caress us softly with grace
when we encounter pain and suffering along the way;
so [...]

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