Wrestling with God. What does this mean? Wrestling with God This is a Biblical myth for which I have had much fascination and attraction over the years. It is that story of Jacob who wrestled all night long with a man, an angel, or, was it God? I suspect it doesn’t matter, though I am […]
Archive | Spirituality
Life Purpose…The Purpose of Your Life
Your life purpose! Can you say with certainty what IS the purpose of your life? Oh, I suppose you can and people do… All the time. But is it real? Or, are they just deceiving themselves? I, for one, cannot say with certainty — not with absolute certainty what my life purpose is: Over the […]
Snowflake in Winter
Snowflake in Winter Want to bring yourself instantly into the Eternal Presence? And, there remain? Forever? Do this… At the very moment a thought of God pops into your head… At the precise instant a sensation comes over you that is nothing short of sacred…like that feeling you might get at opening the shades on […]
Spiritual Growth: How Does It Happen?
For your faith to remain vital you must question it, then affirm it, and then let it die. Spiritual Growth Then, you repeat the process. Do not be discouraged by this cycle of birth and death. Every death makes possible the birth of something grander, even more glorious. Death and resurrection is only a one […]
Spirituality: What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Person?
The first thing God said to Moses was, “Take off your shoes” (Exodus 3:5). Why? Freshly laid carpet? Hardly, although sometimes I think that Hank, our newest dachshund family member could show a little more respect for his new home and stop taking a poop on the decorative carpet that covers a portion of the […]
Becoming a Better Listener: Clearing the Wax from Your H-EAR
There is no greater need than the capacity to hear. I am not referring, however, to audible hearing, as important as it is. I am referring instead to the capacity to hear at a deeply intuitive level. Becoming a better listener at this level would enhance every aspect of your life. Clear the Wax from […]
Believing: It’s All a Child Does for a Living
Mark Nepo is beautiful in his devotional today… “Believing is all a child does for a living…” As a child I used to talk to things–birds that flew overhead, trees that swayed slowly in the night, even stones drying in the sun. For years, though, I stopped doing this freely because of what others might […]
Better Life? 3 Ways to Live a Better Life in the New Year
Want to live a better life in the new year? I can think of many things our world needs. I can think of few things the world needs more, however, than this: better people living better lives in a world gone very wrong. “What is a better life?” you ask. 1. A Better Life is Life […]
Generosity in Giving: Best Motivated by Storytelling
Generosity in giving is best motivated by storytelling. “Once upon a time…” Not this kind of storytelling. But who does not love from time to time, a good “Once upon a time…” kind of story? The kind of storytelling that best motivates generosity in giving is the personal and authentic. My name is Steve McSwain. […]
Cheek Turning: Completely Impractical Words Jesus Spoke
Cheek Turning: “If someone strikes you,” counseled Jesus, “turn the other cheek!” Completely impractical words, wouldn’t you agree? Who does this? You get sucker punched on one side of the face and you’re supposed to submissively turn the other cheek, too? Give me a break! Such nonsense could never possibly work. Just ask the Jews. […]
Authentic Life? Or, Living to Just Fit In?
Want to Live The Authentic Life? But feel as if there are times when you don’t quite fit in? I know exactly how this feels. In fact, I have lived the greater part of my life auditioning for the approval of others…dancing to everyone else’s tune…doing everything within my power to be liked, accepted, impressive, and […]
10 Steps to Inner Peace and Success…
Inner peace. Success. Who does not want these? WE all do. Here are 10 steps to inner peace and success… Be Love to Others – Inner Peace We are born for love. Not just to be in love and to be loved, but to BE love. You see, love isn’t just something you do. It […]
Difficult People: How to Deal with Them
Difficult People At one time or another, we have all had dealings with difficult people. Do you remember the last time you did? Do you recall the last time someone intentionally spoke words to malign your character, question your motives, or to just upset you? It would seem that some go out of their way […]
Prayers: What’s Wrong with Our Prayers? Here’s What’s Wrong…
Prayers! What’s wrong with our prayers? Here’s what’s wrong…what we often call prayer isn’t prayer at all. Let me explain my prayers this way… I do not pray to be healthy; I pray for wisdom to make healthy choices. I do not pray for healing; my prayers are for strength to endure the suffering that […]
Break Free…Living Fully into Your Doubts and Questions
Break Free. Sounds like the lyrics to a song Queen sang in the late ’80’s. Break Free. Sounds like something one of characters might have said in the movie, The Shawshank Redemption. It’s neither. When I chose these words “break free” I was thinking of Rainer Maria Rilke’s statement, “Be patient toward all that is […]