Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

Blog Directory  >  Spirituality Blogs  >  Religion Blogs  >  Healthy Spirituality | Nurturing Hearts Closer to religion Blog  > 

Healthy Spirituality | Nurturing Hearts Closer To Blog


healthyspirituality.org
This Christian blog helps others draw closer to God through spiritual disciplines, resources, discussion and experiencing God in new ways.
2024-03-12 14:00
Sacred wells fascinate me. I heard about them on our trip to Ireland and Scotland – their stories and legends around them and their deep connection to God. My word of the year is &ndas&hell…Read More
2024-03-05 14:15
Do you remember yourself as a teen?  I had a profound dream a few weeks ago that continues to haunt me.  I relived a moment at my older brother’s wedding. During the loud, da… Read More
2024-02-27 15:00
Rest is the theme for this year’s focus for the Lutheran synod my church belongs to.  They wrote, “Time and time again God calls us into rest through scripture. We read stor… Read More
2024-02-20 14:38
Hildegard of Bingen is one of my favorite “lamplighters.”  I heard the term Lamplighters from wisdom teacher mystic Cynthia Bourgeault who described the spiritual… Read More
2024-02-13 15:00
Why did the word “well” emerge as my word of the year?  I shared a few weeks ago my experience of “well” jumping into my heart. I listened to a poet friend from… Read More
2024-02-06 15:00
15 years ago. What were you doing? Can you recall February 2009? One memory from that month and year stands out for me. I attended the Florida Christian Writers Conference for a second year… Read More
2024-01-23 15:00
When do you praise God?  We read Psalm 148 at church a few weeks ago – a reading full of praising God.  These verses invited me to pause and ponder the practice of praising… Read More
2024-01-16 15:00
Poetry refreshes my soul. I wouldn’t have said that a new years ago but have discovered both reading and writing poems awakes something deep inside of me, stirs my creativity, bonds my… Read More
2024-01-09 15:00
Word of the Year practice can be a driving force in deepening our self-knowledge, in finding clarity and meaning, and in growing closer to God. I have both enjoyed and been stretched by this… Read More
2024-01-02 15:00
Examen is a reflective practice. The Examen is an ancient practice that can help us see God’s hand at work in our whole experience. It originated with St. Ignatius. Practicing the exam… Read More
2023-12-26 15:00
Questions are a powerful tool for spiritual growth and practices.  I love the exploring and wondering that can be done any time of the year, but is especially helpful with a year-end re… Read More
2023-12-12 15:00
As a year winds down, I become more reflective. I look back on the gifts and challenges of 2023. I dare to start a list of words that might guide me into 2024 plus hopes and dreams that migh… Read More
2023-11-28 15:00
Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four categor… Read More
Advent Is Coming
2023-11-21 15:00
Advent is coming and coming fast.  Soon the rush of the Christmas season will be upon us and before we know it we will be saying, “Happy New Year!” Times flies so… Read More
Cultivate – A Reflection On A Word
2023-11-14 15:00
Cultivate. That word shimmered this week to me. I have learned to pay attention when a word resonates and bangs on my heart saying, “Notice me. I have something to show you!&rd… Read More
Oh Wow!
2023-11-07 15:09
“Oh Wow!” That was my reaction when we visited hilly southern Indiana last week and savored the autumn colors of the bushes and trees. God dipped deeply into his brill… Read More
Four Somethings – October
2023-10-24 14:00
Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four… Read More
Word Of The Year New Insight
2023-10-17 14:00
My challenge this month from Lisa Burgess for my word of the year practice is to discover something new and answer the following questions: What’s a new fact you learned abo… Read More
National Face Your Fears Day
2023-10-10 14:00
Facing your fears can be challenging, uncomfortable, and freeing.  Only recently have I learned of National Face Your Fears Day which is recognized on the second Tuesday each… Read More
Back To Basics – Prayer
2023-10-03 14:00
Prayer – what more can I say? Prayer is an essential practice for all of us longing to follow Christ in our earthly journeys. Back to basics has been a series these last few… Read More
Back To Basics – Journaling
2023-09-26 14:00
Back to basics is the ongoing theme in the next few weeks here on Healthy Spirituality. A good point in time to ask ourselves what are our essential practices and if we are really pr… Read More
Back To Basics
2023-09-12 14:00
Back to basics is often the first step in September when the kids return to school. Teachers take the time to assess each student’s status and what next steps are needed to bes… Read More
Iceland Impressions
2023-09-05 18:00
Iceland! I just returned from a wonderful, magical, fascinating trip to Iceland. What an adventure to experience such a different culture and environment. God certainly expressed cre… Read More
Hassles Happen
2023-07-25 14:00
When you travel, hassles happen.When you don’t travel, hassles happen. I was thinking the other day about some of the glitches that occurred on our vacations. Moments of fru… Read More
Practice Of The Presence – Book Review
2023-07-19 14:05
Practice of the Presence is a new translation of the writings by and about Brother Lawrence. Carmen Acevedo Butcher is the author and I love the way she works with his words and brin… Read More
Empty
2023-07-11 14:00
empty Empty. Simple thoughts stirring in my soul. Empty is a word unfolding in my heart lately. Holding space within me and for what will be, not full of my plans and to do’s… Read More
Mid-Year Check-up
2023-06-27 14:00
We have hit the mid-year point in 2023 – time for a check-up. Maybe a better word would be check-in as in assessing your inner self where are you, where you wanted to be, and w… Read More
Four Somethings – June
2023-06-13 14:00
Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four… Read More
Stressing Our Word Of The Year
2023-06-06 14:00
Are you stressing when pondering your word of the year?  I don’t mean freaking out, being anxious, or fall apart. Stressing can also imply importance, weight, significance… Read More
Thy Holy Wings – Hymn Story
2023-05-30 14:00
Thy holy wings O Savior, Spread gently over me And let me rest securely Through good and ill in thee. Oh, be my strength and portion, My rock and hiding place, And… Read More
Little Words Lessons
2023-05-09 14:00
Little words hold power. I should know this by this point in my life, but I still am discovering often it is the simple, seemingly unimportant words that deepen our understanding… Read More
Words Affecting My Heart
2023-05-02 14:00
Words are a powerful element in my life. God’s word. Words I scribble in my journal or in this blog or books. Words inspiring me, giving me hope, instilling energy to keep goin… Read More
Meet Sylvia Dunstan
2023-04-25 14:00
Ever hear of Sylvia Dunstan?  I hadn’t until I noticed her name at the bottom of a Lenten hymn, we sang at church a few weeks ago. The words from Bless now, O God, the Jou… Read More
What’s Saving My Life Right Now? 
2023-04-18 14:00
What’s saving my life right now?  Now. At this present moment. What is life-giving, uplifting, refreshing and stirring my spirit? What’s saving my life right now… Read More
Retreat Recap
2023-04-04 14:00
Going on retreat is an essential spiritual discipline for me. Time for silence and learning informs the mind and forms the spirit. I leave refreshed, renewed, transformed – not qu… Read More
Are You Sure?
2023-03-28 14:00
Are you sure? A friend asked me this question the other day and I paused. I love the power of questions (read about questions on these blog posts, here and here.) and use them as gui… Read More
Four Somethings – March 2023
2023-03-21 14:00
Four Somethings is the spiritual practice of remembering, reviewing, and savoring life’s lessons and sacred moments in our lives. So occasionally I share bits of wisdom in four… Read More
Taking My Word Of The Year On Retreat
2023-03-14 14:00
I leave later this week for a four-day silent retreat. The practice of attending a retreat at least yearly is life-giving for me and essential for my walk with God. I believe so… Read More
Ash Wednesday Facts And Quotes
2023-02-21 15:12
I can’t believe it is almost time for Lent to begin. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday marking the first day of solemn repentance for most Christians as we turn our hearts an… Read More
Lenten Devotional
2023-02-07 15:00
Lent, one of my favorite listening to God seasons, begins with Ash Wednesday, Feb 22. Lent is the season before Easter lasting 40 days, not counting Sundays. It is a time to refle… Read More
Four Somethings
2023-01-24 15:00
Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories.  Gathering Four Somethings makes me aware of all the blessings often hidden under bu… Read More
The Power Of Writing Things Down
2023-01-17 15:00
When you write things down, articulate your dreams, goals, and prayers, struggle to find just that right word or phrase that describes a deep desire, God breaks in with pow… Read More
Word For The Year Wavering
2023-01-10 15:00
My word for the year wavers this year.  I have done this practice of exploring and pondering one word throughout the year for more than 10 years. A word for the year is a reward… Read More
Declutter
2023-01-03 14:50
Declutter is one of my favorite chores at the first of a new year. A new year stirs up the cleaning bug within my heart.  I want to start the year right – with a new calen… Read More
Moving From Christmas To The New Year
2022-12-27 15:00
Some of us are still celebrating with family. Some of us are already packing away all the holiday decorations. Some of us are still on vacation mode not quite ready to go back to w… Read More
A Christmas Blessing
2022-12-20 15:00
God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith; the warmth of Christmas, which is love; the radiance of Christmas, which is purity; the righteousness of Christmas, whi… Read More
Share Four Somethings
2022-12-13 15:00
Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories.  I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These &ldq… Read More
Hark, The Glad Sound Hymn Story
2022-12-06 15:00
“Hark, The Glad Sound” was the first hymn we sang this year during our church’s midweek Advent Service. I noticed it also is the first hymn listed in our hymnal in… Read More
Advent Prayer
2022-11-29 15:00
This Advent prayer was written by one of my Lamplighters, mentors, and guides – Henri Nouwen.  The words shape my morning prayers in this season.  May this prayer ble… Read More
A Thanksgiving Blessing
2022-11-22 15:00
I have used this blessing for our Thanksgiving meal and on retreats. Rereading its words this past week reminded me of God’s goodness, grace, and lavished unconditional love. I am… Read More
Everything Is A Gift
2022-11-15 14:13
“Everything is a gift—one hundred percent pure gift. The reason any of us woke up this morning had very little to do with us and everything to do with God. All twenty-fou… Read More
Second Guessing
2022-11-01 14:00
Second guessing – I get caught in this mood quite a bit.  Do you find yourself second guessing your decisions, motives, and actions?  Me too. When I pay attention… Read More
Second Guessing
2022-11-01 14:00
Second guessing – I get caught in this mood quite a bit.  Do you find yourself second guessing your decisions, motives, and actions?  Me too. When I pay attention… Read More
Small Moves
2022-10-25 14:00
“Small moves, Ellie” is a line spoken near the beginning and repeated towards the end of the movie, Contact.  I attended a retreat quite a while back where the speak… Read More
What Is Saving Your Life Right Now?
2022-10-18 14:01
What’s saving my life right now? When I first heard this question, I wasn’t impressed. How odd, I thought. I don’t get the value of asking this. Last week I hear… Read More
Mountain  Wisdom
2022-10-11 14:00
Can we hear wisdom from mountains? In September Bill and I took a wonderful trip to six national parks.  Three in the US (Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier) and three in… Read More
All Of Me Prayer Reflection
2022-10-05 13:27
All as my word of the year continues to teach me, form me, stretch me. Who would think such a small “insignificant’ word held such wisdom. This spiritual practice is a wonde… Read More
2022-09-27 14:03
Pause – we all need a break to rest, take a breather, slow down. I will be traveling the next couple of weeks. I originally planned to blog ahead but simply ran out of time. I am g… Read More
The Ebb And Flow Of Life
2022-09-20 14:00
September invites me to pause, savor, and reflect on the ebb and flow of this past season. The joy of family and families gathering for celebrations. The tender moments of reconnecti… Read More
Day Of Encouragement
2022-09-13 14:19
Be encouraged, not discouraged!  We just missed The National Day of Encouragement held yesterday September 12. This day is dedicated to encouraging and having a positive impact… Read More
Trust The Slow Work Of God
2022-09-06 14:00
Trust the Slow Work of God, written by Teilhard de Chardin, is a challenging quote, but one that I repeat often. This year especially its words call to me.  Sometime “borr… Read More
Book Review – Seasons Of The Soul
2022-08-30 14:00
Seasons of the Soul, On Becoming Who You Are is a new book written by one of my favorite authors, Michelle DeRusha. The book takes you through the four seasons of the year with de… Read More
Pondering All
2022-08-23 14:00
All is my word of the year. All walks with me. Shows up unexpectedly in books and conversations. Stops me and says, “Hey, take a moment and listen. I have something to tell you.&r… Read More
Share Four Somethings – August 2022
2022-08-16 14:00
Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories.  I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These… Read More
The Spiritual Practice Of Questions
2022-08-09 14:00
Questions! Do you have a curious faith? Some people belong(ed) to church that discourages asking questions. As a spiritual director I have learned the power in the spiritual practice… Read More
Book Lover Day – What Are You Reading?
2022-08-02 14:00
Book Lover Day is coming! August 9. This is a day to relax and enjoy a book – of course I think that could be every and any day. I sure do like reading and often am pouring my… Read More
Prayer Of Abandonment
2022-07-26 14:00
The prayer of abandonment by Charles de Foucauld has haunted me all year. The words keep appearing in readings. Its message scares me yet draws me into contemplation.  This pra… Read More
The Spiritual Practice Of Simplicity
2022-07-19 14:00
Simplicity is a spiritual practice promoted by many.  But I am going to be honest – keeping it simple is hard for me and this is one practice I ignore and neglect. Anyone… Read More
50 Years!
2022-07-12 14:00
50 years ago on July 15th I married my hubby. A partnership with no regrets. Lots of love and challenges. Ups and downs. Joys and unforgettable moments together. I do… Read More
Coddiwompling With The Phrase: After All
2022-06-21 14:16
After all is a phrase that includes my word of the year. All is my word of the year and so when I see, hear, noticed this word I look deeper with eyes of my heart. Is there a lesson… Read More
NO  POWER
2022-06-14 13:54
No power. I woke up suddenly knowing something happened while we slept. In my foggy first moments I realized the power was out and pitch blackness saturated the room. I could… Read More
Share Four Somethings – June 2022
2022-06-07 14:00
Share Four Somethings is a regular blog post where I feature bits of wisdom in four categories.  I love this practice as it collects moments for reflection and growth. These &ldq… Read More
Pilgrimage Ponderings
2022-05-31 14:00
Pilgrimage. Journey. Travel. I just returned from a 12-day pilgrimage through Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. I fully believe that travel gifts us in three ways: the jo… Read More
Practicing Self-Compassion
2022-05-03 14:00
Do you practice self-compassion? I value self-care. I am learning soul-care. But I never really considered the importance of self-compassion before. Lately my inner critic has… Read More
Questioning My Optimism
2022-04-26 14:00
Optimism.  I grew up in a serious household, with serious parents, and serious expectations. My parents were not pessimists or realists, but they definitely didn’t practice… Read More
Word Of The Year Reversal
2022-04-19 14:03
“All” is my word of the year. One way I companion my word each year is to find a sign to put near my home altar using the selected word. I found a great sign last yea… Read More
Posture Of Love
2022-04-12 14:00
Stand up straight. Don’t slouch. I heard this a lot growing up and perhaps you did too as our moms encouraged good posture for our physical health. What about our spi… Read More

Share the post

Healthy Spirituality | Nurturing Hearts Closer to

×

Subscribe to Healthy Spirituality | Nurturing Hearts Closer To

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×