Category Archives: Spiritual life

Active and passive moves in prayer

Posted on September 15, 2009 by jlh

If you find these reflections useful to you, that’s my goal. I’d love to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by. Loss of pastoral care and counseling centers and training programs I first encountered Gerald May through his book Will … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer, reading, religion, Spiritual classics, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Heating and Cooling 101

Posted on August 28, 2009 by jlh

We’re back in faith basic training. Now, just as the first hospital and medical bills begin to roll in, our heating and A/C has gone out. Paul writes I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer, religion, social issues, Spiritual life | Tagged , | 1 Comment

A mild admonition in pastoral care

Posted on August 20, 2009 by jlh

For awhile I’ve been mulling over Romans 8, trying to find a way to write about this mountaintop chapter, Paul at his best, up there with 1 Corinthians 13 and 15, and Philippians 4. But I haven’t found a way in … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, Spiritual life | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Thundering Sovereignty of God

Posted on July 28, 2009 by jlh

Lear and Fool in Storm, William Dyce, 1851 Scottish National Gallery     Last night I finished reading, dimmed my light, piled up my pillows, and snuggled under my blankets. Often a M*A*S*H DVD distracts me from nagging aches. But … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, self-in-service, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

No and Yes

Posted on July 17, 2009 by jlh

You know it’s important to write down insights when they come—which I’m doing now. Ask for medical prognostication, and from any truthful physician you’ll get “Yes” and “No,” a mix of the probable and possible. Medicine is a mixture of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, religion, self-in-service, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

12 hours into Sandy’s dialysis

Posted on July 17, 2009 by jlh

Early morning tea ceremony. Feed cats, freshen their water. Load new dishes in dishwasher (don’t have time to unload—oh well, a few dishes will be really clean). Turn on water miser cycle. Bring 1 1/3 cup water in microwave to boil. … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, self-in-service, Spiritual life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Face to face with God

Posted on July 15, 2009 by jlh

Left: Moses and tablets (Rembrandt)     We’re studying Exodus 32-34 in our Neighborhood Bible Study, part of a summer Great Chapters of the Bible series. Why read these dusty old stories? The scribes who preserved them had lost everything. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, religion, Spiritual life | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Posted on July 15, 2009 by jlh

My heart is overflowing with love tonight. Sandy is in the hospital; she’s been diabetic 48 years and is now presenting symptoms that often occur between 10-15 years, I understand: in her case, kidney failure. Because she’s anemic, they hospitalized her … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, Spiritual life | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Are you paving with asphalt or gold?

Posted on April 18, 2009 by jlh

How to make asphalt You compare two business transactions. The first involved a truckload of mulch, the cost of  which we split with our neighbors. After the 18-wheeler pulled away, we discovered it had done (according to professional estimates) $1000 worth … Continue reading →

Posted in religion, Spiritual life | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

It’s not easy being green

Posted on April 3, 2009 by jlh

 Thanks to: PD photo.org Kermit the Frog sings here. “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” Psalms 23:2 (NRSV).  As an adult, I’ve had to learn to walk twice.  My spine is kinky, and I grow a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer, religion, self-in-service, Spiritual life | Tagged , , | 4 Comments