A Wellness Path

Slippery memory? Create a Logbook

I have a slippery memory. Memories of the good can slip away, but having a habit of recording the good can change our thinking in wonderful ways. My mother kept a red ledger book in one of the kitchen drawers, and it kept her. It kept her grounded in the […]

Spiritual Practices

Jehovah – Jireh. The God who Sees and Sees to it

I want relief from tension. But where from? Maybe in Jehovah – Jireh. The God who sees and provides in the cognitive dissonance of struggle. I want answers. Easy to find answers. But maybe what I really want is for the tension I am in to be seen and […]

Spiritual Formation Spiritual Practices

I Don’t Believe in Luck

Some people believe in luck; I don’t. I believe in wisdom and work, empowered with faith to build a boat that catches providential wind. I remember the first time I bought a lottery ticket. I’ve only ever done this twice. I remember all the thoughts that raged around in me. […]

Spiritual Formation Spiritual Practices

When One Door Closes

When one door closes, another one opens, but when. We wait and watch for providence to blow. It happened again last week. A door closed. In my little gardening business, I have been mowing a small every fortnight for about a year. Then, last week, the property was sold, […]

Spiritual Formation Spiritual Practices

The Parable of the Joyful Man (The Parable of the Talents)

It’s so easy to hold on to what’s been given to you, but passing it on opens the door to joy. The Parable of the Joyful Man (Parable of the Talents) Did you ever play that children’s party game – Pass the parcel? The children sit in a circle, and […]

Spiritual Formation Spiritual Practices

Leaning into Providence

Sometimes I feel alone in the struggle, but when listen deep I sense a providence. A providence I can lean into. It was the strangest thing I have experienced in a dog’s behaviour. Our family once had a dog that leaned. He could come alongside you, cross his legs […]

Getting Well Staying Well Helping Others

Throwing Pearls to Pigs

I know some people who have a pig on their farm. They feed it food scraps and grass. They don’t throw it pearls. Some people don’t have the capacity to hold precious things. They don’t have the wisdom to hold well. I think one of the most hurtful and […]

Poetry

The Kingdom of God has Come Near

When the Kingdom of God comes near It comes with disturbance It comes with questions It comes with narrow paths Few but dare to tread It comes with music Follow and dance with us You have to leave everything behind To experience this deep abiding love The Kingdom of God […]

Getting Well Staying Well Helping Others

Parable of the Pearl: The Delight of Being Sought

Hidden away? Longing to be sought after? In the parable of the pearl merchant, we find a lover with a quest. Imagine yourself as a child and you’re at a friend’s birthday party. A game is played. Hide and seek. Your friend, the one who is celebrating the birthday, is […]

Poetry

Deep calls to deep

Deep calls to deep Deep calls to deep Soul calls to soul The silence The sound From the deepest places I seek your deepest self Where are you? Where have gone? My tears are my food My days have an oppressive tone I long for relief I long for you […]