Soul Sister Time

                It is important to monitor who speaks to your soul.   It will make a huge difference in life and even more in death.   You don’t want to be a fool when it comes to supervising your soul.                 The thoughts of a rich man found in Luke 12:19-20 reveal why such scrutiny of soul thoughts is necessary.   And I’ll say to myself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.   But God said to him, You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?                 I imagine that this foolish man did not even realize that he was speaking to his soul.   He was so focused on the earthly realm that he did not...

            Something you really need to learn about God is that He will always do what you least expect.   In fact, I had a seminary professor who advised, if you want to know God’ will, then think about what you want and do the opposite.   I wouldn’t go that far; but if you want to make progress on the spiritual journey, you will only make real progress through hope.             I wrote earlier in the year about my disappointment with God for not allowing Brian and me to go to the Holy Land together.   I’m embarrassed about how much resistance I gave to God’s invitation.   Just when I conceded to the fact that God may not want us to go on that pilgrimage together, my husband wins a trip to the Holy Land and I can go with Him.   Of all the scenarios that I came up with about how Brian and I could go to Israel together, I can guarantee you that this o...

            On the moment by moment journey to focus your heart, mind and spirit on God, you will need to come to terms with your will.               Your will is incredibly weak.   It desires the gifts of God, but it does not desire to give up your own rational and emotional responses that are necessary to surrender to the will of God.   Your will is that God will give you all His gifts like peace, joy, love, self-control.   Your will is that He do it your way and in your time.   You want God’s will when you are walking into a difficult meeting, and you need the supernatural power of God to bring unity.   You want His will when you are enduring another sleepless night and you just want peace.   You don’t want His will when you are faced with the chocolate cake that looks so appealing; therefore you can see how it can work into your health...

            Don’t miss the moments.   Every day God sends us a moment of hope and love.   In fact, I’m guessing that every day there are a myriad of opportunities that we might realize are just from God.   The problem is that we don’t really live in the moments.   Rather, we live for the tasks or events of the day.               The spiritual life is about moments.   I need accountability to capture my moments.   My husband helps me with this.   We try to ask each other what was our Bonum Dei—God-given good—for that day.   It can be as basic as having air to breathe, or as sweet as the smile of a child who is happy to see you.   These simple moments break up the mundane of living and weave together the message of God’s love and purpose for your life.             I lea...

            The theme— Create in Me a Clean Heart for the New Year —has been resonating with me for some time.   A New Year is always something to look forward to.   It brings hope that changes for the better are just around the corner.   Cleaning out the old is one way to make room for the change we desire.   I spent New Year’s Eve cleaning my house and organizing my closet and desk.   There’s a lot more that needs attention in the organized chaos of my life, but I feel good about the change that has already been accomplished.               Cleaning up is one of the best ways to feel new.   Just like a hot shower after a sweaty workout, the feeling of cleanliness penetrates to the soul.   Refreshing a body, or a room, is a desired change.   So what can happen if you start your cleaning effort by focusing on your soul?   What ab...