When we still our hearts, we discover thoughts of worry and fear dominate much of our lives. However, in the stillness of the heart, we can evaluate the validity of the apprehension we perceive and feel. Resting in the silence, we can reflect and contemplate that our worries and concerns most of the time are way…
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” Genesis 28:16 Jacob awakens from a dream and ponders in a Genesis moment that God is eternally present, manifested as the undeniable reality that underlies his life. He declares, “Surely God is in…
The goal of contemplative prayer is to help us detach from the thoughts that fill our minds. And particularly the ones in conflict with the will of God in our life. Our brains are overwhelmed with fears about the future and daily worries for family and friends. Contemplative prayer is the practice and discipline of…
The mystic in prayer contemplates their entire soul and being is in union with God, and everything else that exists. In their heart, they experience oneness and unity with God and creation. That oneness is the awareness they are absolutely whole in the presence of Christ and love of God alone. Once having tasted of…
Silence, for many, is an undiscovered friend of the tired and restless. It is a sacred place of solitude, bringing peace and comfort from the cares of the world. Its calming effect soothes our souls and produces eternal hope for living. It is the voice that has no description, but it abides within and speaks…
As the weight of the world overwhelms, release your cares into the hands of God. In the hundreds of anxious thoughts residing in your head, let your heart contemplate prayerfully on the one idea of God’s love for you. “Throw all your worry on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7) Let go…
Richard Rohr writes, “We cannot attain the presence of God because we’re already totally in the presence of God. What’s absent is awareness.” The apostle Paul helps us understand, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because…
The conversion and transformation of my heart and mind to Christ is a moment-by-moment process of letting go of my self-centered thoughts and replacing them with God-focused thoughts. As I become fully conscious and aware of Christ living in me, I mindfully release the control of my self-conscious way of life back to God. I…
When I focus on the future, hoping it will bring satisfaction and meaning, I might be chasing ghosts. But unfortunately, the future is an illusion that resides only in the fantasy of my mind. Therefore, I will never experience the excitement of being fully alive by continually focusing and longing for the future. The present…
Richard Rohr understands a timeless truth, if not now, when? “The way you are is the way you will be. How you do life today is how you will probably do life tomorrow. If you are unhappy today, you will likely be unhappy tomorrow.” It is essential to understand you will never be any more…
The mystery of life is the belief we exist autonomous of everything in the world and the possibility of a God transcending our world and the universe. The Christian faith teaches I am spiritually blind and believe the world centers around me; I am unaware of God’s presence and love. Salvation is the gift of…
Lord, I offer myself to you. However, honestly, that is not my first desire. My ego would rather flee from your presence. My prayer is to help me see you and convince my heart to seek you to spend time alone with you. Let me dwell in the goodness of your love. Let me hide…