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Welcome to this oasis on your journey-
A respite from the chaos of the world A place where you can rest and be calm Take in the beauty, the hope, the healing When life gets hard, return to this oasis Listen Watch Learn Heal (photos...thanks to Tracy Mooty, Janet Hagberg) |
A Theology of Kindness
John O’Donohue, in his book, To Bless the Space Between Us, says this about kindness: “There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect. The world can be harsh and negative, but if we remain generous and patient, kindness inevitably reveals itself. Something deep in the human soul seems to depend on the presence of kindness; something instinctive in us expects it, and once we sense it, we can trust and open ourselves.”
What is it about kindness, especially an act of kindness that attracts us at such a deep level?
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Radical Play
The image of play seems so simple. Just forget all your cares and do what is fun for you. Be carefree. Be childlike. Drown your sorrows. Don’t worry. Be happy.
There is even a very old popular song sung by Judy Garland that expresses this carefree attitude.
It adds a rather unique twist to play. We do it in preparation for judgement and the life to come!
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The Journey Coat
Have you ever gotten so attached to a certain coat or jacket that you wouldn’t part with it, even when it is clearly worn out and beyond cleaning?😊 We all need and wear coats throughout our lives. We may even joke about our irrational connection with a coat. Coats sometimes serve like a security blanket or better yet, like an old friend. When we wear it, we even feel better. I have a two-jacket set that has been with me for more than twenty-five years. It still soothes me just to look at it. One of the deeper connections I have with this jacket is that it reminds me of all that we’ve been through together.
Stop for a moment and recall a special coat, or jacket, (or, for that matter, a football jersey, or sports hat, or purse, or any clothing that you have a special connection with.) Can you recall a memory that accompanies this item? For the sake of this reflection, I’ll stick with the coat image, but you can superimpose whatever item fits for you.
Why would we reflect on an ordinary coat?
Read more
Links to podcasts - Janet Hagberg and friends
John O’Donohue, in his book, To Bless the Space Between Us, says this about kindness: “There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect. The world can be harsh and negative, but if we remain generous and patient, kindness inevitably reveals itself. Something deep in the human soul seems to depend on the presence of kindness; something instinctive in us expects it, and once we sense it, we can trust and open ourselves.”
What is it about kindness, especially an act of kindness that attracts us at such a deep level?
Read more
Radical Play
The image of play seems so simple. Just forget all your cares and do what is fun for you. Be carefree. Be childlike. Drown your sorrows. Don’t worry. Be happy.
There is even a very old popular song sung by Judy Garland that expresses this carefree attitude.
It adds a rather unique twist to play. We do it in preparation for judgement and the life to come!
Read more
The Journey Coat
Have you ever gotten so attached to a certain coat or jacket that you wouldn’t part with it, even when it is clearly worn out and beyond cleaning?😊 We all need and wear coats throughout our lives. We may even joke about our irrational connection with a coat. Coats sometimes serve like a security blanket or better yet, like an old friend. When we wear it, we even feel better. I have a two-jacket set that has been with me for more than twenty-five years. It still soothes me just to look at it. One of the deeper connections I have with this jacket is that it reminds me of all that we’ve been through together.
Stop for a moment and recall a special coat, or jacket, (or, for that matter, a football jersey, or sports hat, or purse, or any clothing that you have a special connection with.) Can you recall a memory that accompanies this item? For the sake of this reflection, I’ll stick with the coat image, but you can superimpose whatever item fits for you.
Why would we reflect on an ordinary coat?
Read more
Links to podcasts - Janet Hagberg and friends
- Critical Journey
- Dialogue with the Wall
- Stages in the life of Faith
- Inner healing while preparing for death
- Poem podcast:
- A Safe Place to talk about race and faith
Beauty Water Lily...thanks to David Liedl
"Beauty is a thin place, a place in which our souls connect with someone or something beyond us. The human soul is hungry for beauty. Beauty is everywhere." What is beauty for you? Where are you seeing it in your life? How do you feel in the presence of beauty? See the beauty by clicking here |
Hope Flame of Hope...thanks to Jenny Larson
"Hope is the basic belief in the spark of essential goodness in the world, a core feeling that there is a way out of the darkness, and that the Holy is indeed present despite the prevailing evidence one might have accumulated." Hope is the other side of despair. It is the twin sister of suffering. It is the belief that there is a bird that sings to the dawn while it is still dark. What gives you hope, like a candle in the dark? How do you sustain hope when you are in chaos? How do you provide hope for others? Experience hope by clicking here Where I find hope poem |
Healing Reconciled...thanks to Deb Turnow
Healing is the experience of being whole and loved despite our life circumstances. We are called to core healing, no matter what our journey." When we are unhealed, we feel wounded in body, mind or spirit. Everyone suffers, so we all share the experience of brokenness. But what we do with our suffering, what we believe about our suffering and the process we engage in for healing make all the difference. We may not experience a cure, but we have peace of mind and a reconciled heart. What in your life needs healing? Do you want to be healed? What is your belief about your suffering? How is God involved in your suffering? Experience healing by clicking here |
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