Triple Spiral Labyrinth

The triple spiral labyrinth, pictured here, is a wonderful symbol on many levels. It is an ancient pre-Celtic and Celtic symbol. Though it's original meaning is unknown, it was adopted by Christians in Ireland and became a symbol for the Trinity (God, Son, and Holy Spirit). What lovely image of the trinity it is. The intertwining of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and the journey we all travel amongst them.

A new meaning has emerged for me in the triple spiral labyrinth that is grounded in my passion and purpose to "hold space and time for people as they journey toward greater spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness." The triple spiral labyrinth embodies this journey, reminding us of the the interconnectedness of the spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects of who we are. As we journey toward full wholeness we must be attuned to where we are on each separate journey and how each journey affects the the others.

We are all on a journey toward wholeness while God's spirit and love dwells within us!

Friday Photographs: Astonishing Light

"I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being."

~Hafiz

When we feel like darkness has engulfed our being it is difficult to remember that God's light illumines our being and that even if one speck of light is greater than massive darkness. It is this ever present light and love that can give us hope in the midst of darkness. It is this light and love that illumine the path from loneliness to belonging. It is this light and love that illumine the beauty that each of us share with the world.

In what ways do you feel God's light shining within you? How do you see yourself today? Share your stories in the comments. 

Friday Photographs-Seasons of Life

Winters in Minnesota can be brutal. The bitter cold that invades your body to the core, the gray clouds that seem so foreboding, daylight that seems to fade just as it arrives each day, and then there is the never ending white and gray color scheme. There is a tendency for many Minnesotans to go into hibernation mode. We long to sleep more and we rush from warm building to our car to warm building and repeat. We tend to stay inside to conserve and renew our energy. Some days we are brave enough to venture outside for an outdoor adventure but these adventures seems to take more energy that those of summer.

By mid-February many of us are longing for Spring to arrive. We long for warmer weather, more daylight, and any color other than white or gray. It is like we are longing to be re-birthed. We are longing for renewed life. The vibrant colors of God's creation are to me symbols for this re-birthing. These colors remind me that with each new season of life comes a new way of being in the world. My favorite seasons are the seasons when my colors are at their most vibrant and I stand strong amongst my fellow humans.

Take minute to gaze at this vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of this plant. What season you are in?How might it be affecting your outlook on life and your interactions with others? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments.

Friday Photographs-Visio Divina: An Introduction

Visio Divina or praying with art is a spiritual/meditative practice that like its sister practice Lectio Divina is gaining popularity. Both Lectio Divina and Visio Divina are ancient practices that find their roots in the Benedictine Christian tradition.

Visio Divina (Latin for "divine seeing") uses images as the basis for prayer and meditation. While practicing Visio Divina one gazes at an image and lets the image speak to them. The image becomes an avenue for becoming aware of God's presence within us as well as for God to speak to us. Visio Divina speaks to me because it is accessible to almost everyone from young children to adults. It speaks to me because it lets our spirits connect with both the spirit of God and the spirit of the artist who created the image.Visio Divina speaks to my creative side and I hope it will connect with some of you.

Try Visio Divina with the image below. Here is one method to get you started:

Breathe in, breathe out.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Invite God into this time of prayer & meditation.

Gaze prayerfully at this photo...

...let your thoughts and feelings sit with you for a while.

What do you see?

What are you feeling?

What might God be saying to you through this photograph?

Say a work of thanks to God for this time! 

Friday Photographs - Kindness

"Kindness is like snow...

it beautifies everything it covers."

~Unknown

How will you cover the world with kindness today?

Season's of Life

"To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under the sun."

~Ecclesiastes 3:1 

What season of life are you in? Are you content to be present in that season or are you eager to move into the next season?

May your light glow during this season!

Quiet Joy

"I wish you quiet joy today 

and that you will take it slow

so that you can note all the little things again."

~Unknown

Friday Photographs-Contentment

“At some point, you gotta let go, and sit still, and allow contentment to come to you.” 
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

This is the view from the place where I am able to embody this quote. This is the view from my family's vacation home in Door County, WI. On this particular fall morning the light was magically dancing off the trees and water. It was beautiful.

Where can you embody this quote?

Friday Photographs: Visio Divina

Breathe in, breathe out.

Breathe in, breathe out.

Invite God into this time of prayer & meditation.

Gaze prayerfully at this photo...

...let your thoughts and feelings sit with you for a while.

What do you see?

What are you feeling?

What might God be saying to you through this photograph?

Say a work of thanks to God for this time! 

Friday Photographs-Psalm 18:2

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

~Psalm 18:2

Friday Photographs-Healing

"Healing doesn't mean the damage never existed. 

It means the damage no longer controls our lives."

Friday Photographs-Water for Thirsty

"Not only the thirsty seek the water,

the water as well seeks the thirsty."

~Rumi

Where do you quench your thirst? Who gives you life giving water? Have you had an experience of "water...seek[ing] the thirsty"?

Friday Photographs-Shifting Perspectives

"All spiritual practice is the art of shifting perspectives."

~Teal Swan

Friday Photographs-Find Rest

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Matthew 11:28-29

Friday Photographs: Remembering 9-11-01

Yes, I am like many others I vividly remember 9-11-2001-what I was doing, who I first spoke with, even what I was wearing when the first tower was hit. I want to remember because I want to keep alive the memory of those that lost their lives but I also want to keep alive and honor all the "helpers". That day the sun set on a era in America. We live in a new reality because of that day. The reality that I want to lift up is the reality of a nation coming together, of people helping each other, people leaning on one another, people being community for each other, and people being the face of Jesus for another. A new day has dawned-let us keep alive the positive things that came from this horrific day!

Friday Photographs-Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and

wonderfully made!"

Psalm 139:14

No matter what flaws we see in ourselves or how broken we might feel we can find hope in the truth that God created us and LOVES us unconditionally. With that knowledge we can be assured that we are worthy of love and belonging. We are all indeed beautiful! 

Friday Photographs-Growth

"The first step toward growing is believing that you can."

Sunset Journey

"There is no beginning or end 

to your dreams or plans.

Life is journey from

moment to moment.

Live each moment to its fullest."

-Garth Catterall-Heart

Friday Photographs-Remembering My Baptism

"I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen"

On June 12, 1977 I was baptized surround by God's love in the form of my family and the Congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

This beautiful baptismal bowl adorns the sanctuary at Memorial Presbyterian Church where I serve as Director of Christian Education. It represents the my journey-at times overwhelmed with fear, shame, and anger, healing and transformation 

and shimmers of gold or light.

Friday Photographs-In Honor of Maya Angelou

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

-Maya Angelou