The Soul's Slow Ripening 16.12.18

The SOUL'S SLOW RIPENING

12 Celtic Practices Seeking the Sacred

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~ by Christine Valters Paintner
Released September 2018
~ Unique and useful insights shared for our growth spiritually as we pursue our faith life and journey.  Ms Paintner is adept at instructing new thought and practice, gently and creatively.  Which is essential to our comprehension and willingness to interpret life changes.
~ Moving in these new directions of discernment the creative responses inspired by our
"soul's slow ripening" to sweetness is pure art.. 
The Celtic ways and practices presented resonate at deeper and creative levels than a sole focus of the intellectual discernment.
~ I'm delighted to have these options and examples from early saints.
 As well as learning to hear and heed the seasonal calls and rhythms of God's Spirit.  Invitations to themed contemplative walks,  inspiring writing, art, poetry
 all influenced by God's creation in landscape and seasons,
 will undoubtedly influence a new way of seeing and being.
~ I, for one, am grateful. 
And as a spiritual director, soul friend,
this also is an exploration of benefit to the blessing of others.    ~



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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2015

  Sunday is International Women's Day 2015
Here's an opportunity to make it a special day of honour .

Lent Retreat - Women of the Passion
A retreat offers a chance to take a step back from the pressing concerns of daily life, to reflect prayerfully on the current state of your relationships, with God, with the people around you, and with the world. 

• To guide our prayer this year we are reflecting on the events of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus as experienced by the women in the company of Jesus.  Their lives were transformed by their encounter with Jesus.  
  This retreat will focus on more than Mary, the Mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, to look at peripheral characters like Pilate's wife and the maidservant at the house of the High Priest.
• As you pray with the material presented , we hope that you too will encounter Jesus in a new and profound way and that that encounter may have a transforming effect in your own life. We also hope that you’ll come to a deepened awareness of God at work in your life.
• You are invited to make this retreat by taking some time of prayerful reflection during Lent using the text and audio provided.  [Available as download]
  A new session of the retreat will be made available each week until Easter.

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Take the retreat at your own pace, in a place that suits you, using the text and audio to create a time of prayerful attention.  Instructions HERE.

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May we be blessed as a company of women on this International Day of Women as we recognize those who've gone before us and those who will follow after us as we leave a path worthy to be followed.

Appreciation to Pray As You Go and Sacred Space Ireland for creating and hosting.

* FIND MORE FHC on BOOK DEPOSITORY | PINTEREST | TWITTER | GOOGLE+ | GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | NETWORKED BLOGS | LIBRARYTHING
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*Faith Filled Friday* RevGals Friday Fives *

SONGS on SUNDAYS: KING OF HEAVEN by Paul Baloche

WELCOME TO SONGS ON SUNDAYS!

I am definitely rejoicing in this new day ~ Especially that I can be here and posting for SoS ! Health is a huge impact in what is and isn't happening at FHC, so to have this day to offer praise and be glad with you is truly a GIFT! As always, add your music for the day and/or the week  with a link in comments ~ we love to visit and share your praise. If you are posting, I'd love to have a link back to  #SoS included in your post. TY!! Here's today's SoS selection for soundtracking this new week that begins a new month of Summer
including CANADA DAY - Canada's Birthday - celebrated July 1st.  As Paul Baloche is of Canadian descent  [his father is Canadian from my home city],  I am posting Paul's, KING OF HEAVEN,
as a prayer of Blessing for Canada. *

* Join in prayer and praise for the blessing of both  our country as well as yours ~  for the establishment of God's Kingdom come on earth as in heaven... God is Faithful! God's will be done! * Tweet *

* #SONGSonSUNDAYS
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SONGS ON SUNDAYS: YOUR CHOICE 11.5.14

Apologies for not having a Songs on Sundays post...
Today, for the second day, I'm spending my time sitting with my cousin making
his final life's journey to his heavenly home -
we never know how long this stage will last,
I'm asking your prayers for strength
in all that's to come for arrangements, services, etc.
Thanks, as always, for being a strength and comfort
in presence and prayers... 
And in praise for the God Who loves, cares, and carries us home.
"I have borne you from birth,
carried you since the womb.
 Till your old age I will be the same —
I will carry you until your hair is white.
I have made you, and I will bear you;
yes, I will carry and save you.
 To whom will you liken me and equate me?
With whom will you compare me,
as if we were similar?"

Isaiah 46:3

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

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May your Sunday be filled with Songs of Praise
to The One Who is Worthy ! Leaving your link to a fav song would be a huge blessing at this time - thank you .

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Find and follow FHC online:
@_eHope - Goodreads - Facebook - 
- Pinterest - GFC  -  bottom of page
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LECTIO DIVINA: CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER 15.4.14

How to Practice Lectio Divina 
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First Movement – Lectio: Settling & Shimmering
Begin by finding a comfortable position where you can remain alert and yet also relax your body. Bring your attention to your breath and allow a few moments to become centered. If you find yourself distracted at any time, gently return to the rhythm of your breath as an anchor for your awareness. Allow yourself to  settle into this moment and become fully present.  Read your selected scripture passage or other sacred text once or twice through slowly and listen for a word or phrase that feels significant right now, is capturing your attention even if you don’t know why.  Gently repeat this word to yourself in the silence.  * Second Movement – Meditatio: Savoring & Stirring 
Read the text again and then allow the word or phrase which caught your attention in the first movement  to spark your imagination. Savor the word or phrase with all of your senses, notice what smells, sounds,  tastes, sights, and feelings are evoked. Then listen for what images, feelings, and memories are stirring, welcoming them in,
and then savoring and resting into this experience.  *
Third Movement – Oratio: Summoning & Serving
Read the text a third time and then listen for an invitation rising up from your experience of prayer so far.  Considering the word or phrase and what it has evoked for you in memory, image, or feeling, what is the invitation?  This invitation may be a summons toward a new awareness or action. 
* Fourth Movement – Contemplatio: Slowing & Stilling 
Move into a time for simply resting in God and allowing your heart to fill with gratitude for God’s presence in this time of prayer. Slow your thoughts and reflections even further and sink into the experience of stillness. Rest in the presence of God and allow yourself to simply be. Rest here for several  minutes. Return to your breath if you find yourself distracted.  * Closing 
Gently connect with your breath again and slowly bring your awareness back to the room, moving from inner experience to outer experience. Give yourself some time of transition between these moments of contemplative depth and your everyday life.  Consider taking a few minutes to
journal about what you experienced in your prayer. 

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© Christine Valters Paintner – excerpted from Lectio Divina—
The Sacred Art: Transforming Words and Images into Heart-Centered Prayer
(SkyLight Paths Publishing)
– feel free to share this with attribution  www.AbbeyoftheArts.com

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SONGS ON SUNDAYS: HEAR MY PRAYER by Moya Brennan 2/3/14

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~Welcome to SONGS on SUNDAYS for March ~ * Beginning a new month ! filled with possibilities and a Great variety of possible Themes . . . 
St Davids Day March 1st,

Lent beginning next  This week Wednesday 5th

[LENT continuing right through March]
plus St. Patrick's Day on the 17th .
Plenty of choices if you want to post to honour the event or in the case of LENT, to post SONGS on SUNDAYS relevant to your
spiritual LENTEN journey -
sharing music expressing
your appreciation of God's graces and blessings. *
Beginning the month  by taking the opportunity to feature a favourite IRISH
musician and singer, Moya Brennan, member of Clannad, and elder sister of Enya, singing a song reflective of my anticipated Lent journey ~
HEAR MY PRAYER
Add your SONGS on SUNDAYS link in comments
so we're able to pop by and have a listen ! You're welcome to add the button below to let others know { Just add a link back here to the current SONGS ON SUNDAYS post where you've commented  } * Using hashtag #SONGSonSUNDAYS also connects us  - TY!
* Hence I cannot be silent
and indeed I ought not to be,
about the many blessings and the great grace which the Lord has
deigned  to bestow upon me. SAINT PATRICK *

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Sharing

Gratitude for God's amazing BLESSINGS as we journey  together this week . . .
 Thank you for being part of SONGS on SUNDAYS! *

Previously on SONGS on SUNDAYS - February's SOS posts HERE  *  HERE  *  HERE  *  HERE

* And until I get a specific Finally!  Monday dancing now posted -
Join us at Marie's for Monday Music Moves Me 
It's a FREEBIE theme Monday post  [thank you to Music That Inspires from the Man Cave !] 
Will I did do better in the morning after all  !! With all the Monday Music to Move me -
what else can I expect !!

Thanks to Naila Moon for the great button and to all the hosting gals!!
Dance on over to Marie's for your
Monday Music connexn...


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linking with smallvictoriessunday, Sunday Community,  Scripture and a Snapshot, amazememonday,  katherine'scorner, hopeineveryseason,

TEASER TUESDAYS [BOOKS] 11.2.14

Yes!  Time again for TEASER TUESDAYs at MizB's

Showing a wee bit of Valentine Book Love from me to you ...
Here's how to play ~ Time for this week's Book Teaser Tuesday with MizB 

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read

• Open to a random page

• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to 

their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

*

Here's mine ~

"I walk and walk.  My watch shows that the hours are disappearing, but I don't feel as if I'm anywhere close to where I think I should be.  Not that I can see a thing.  The snow is blinding and it doesn't appear to be letting up."

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God Encounter:Experiencing the Power of Creative Prayer 
~by Lisa Tawn Bergren
"The imagination is, in fact, one of the greatest blessings God has given us–a tool that can help us in some small way to comprehend the incomprehensible fact that God is truly at our side."  
A brief  177 pages of reading enlightenment underway. Thank you, Lisa Bergren! 

* And your book Teaser Tuesday?   We look forward to hearing your reading appetizer... *

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Friday Five: Prayer

via * Today's Friday 5s from Rev Gal Jan : * At the beginning of this past week, I attended a conference on contemplative prayer entitled "Turning to the Mystics" at the 2013 Summer Institute at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. The speakers were James Finley, author and former novice of Thomas Merton; Mirabai Starr, author, translator, and speaker;  and Father Ronald Rolheiser, author and president of OST.  We were encouraged to regularly sit in quiet to come to realize our union with the Divine, who continually loves us into being.
*
So for this Friday Five, let us share about our prayer practices, whether silent or not: * { ~ My responses follow Jan's questions ~ }
*
1. How do you pray?

Many ways.  Creatively.  With music, journalling, dancing, singing, creating, photography, listening, praying always - a heart position and attitude. With words?
Beginning with praise and acknowledgement of  God's worth.  Gratitude for who God is. Resting in God's Presence and waiting for Holy Spirit to direct my thoughts and responses. Listening.   "Adonai ELOHIM wakens Me morning by morning, He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]" Isaiah 50.4 * The requesting part, if there will be any, flows from there.  According to scripture, I have the mind of Christ in me, and Holy Spirit that knows what needs praying, so it's a choice to allow Holy Spirit to lead. What is on  God's heart?  Praying in agreement with that. When we know we pray according to God's will, we know God's answer is also ours. "We enter into a certainty of the outcome", as Graham Cooke says it in  Crafted Prayer from the Being With God series.
*

1 John 5.14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.

15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.

*
2. How has your idea of prayer changed over time?

Prayer is opportunity to spend time with God.  Being in God's Presence. Not a chore.  Not a requirement.  Rather a joy and delight that results from a relationship of love, worth and appreciation from and toward The One I adore. Not a quick port of call for when desperate or a slot machine to get something. Also not just a quick trip to the store with my shopping list . A time of enjoyment - another step in development of relationship. *
3. Do you ever sit in silent prayer? How does it go?

I do.  It goes Beautifully as I turn my heart's full attention on Yeshua Jesus in gratitude.   There's increased sense of Presence and intimacy. A deep and growing awareness of The One in whom my soul delights.
*
4. Do you have any difficulties and/or pleasures in prayer?

For me the difficulty is choosing to be intentional in prayer.  Not allowing it to stay at routine or given less than priority.  A valued place in my day and my life. Pleasures?  Much.  * 
Song of Solomon 5:16

"His voice and speech are exceedingly sweet; yes, 

He is altogether lovely [the whole of Him delights and is precious]. 

This is my beloved, and this is my friend...!"

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5. What is the best advice that helped you with prayer?

I am not an orphan.  I need not beg or hold back.  I am Christ's bride.  Pray like a bride.
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Bonus: Share something about prayer or an example of a prayer you like. *

* Praying scriptures is foundational.  Prayers of God who is author and initiator.   As we learn to still ourselves in God's Presence,  we sense the voice of Holy Spirit leading in prayer. Two excellent resources coming to mind, from Canadian author, Brad Jersak -   Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks * and the above mentioned Crafted Prayer by British author, Graham Cooke.  Rev Gals Thursday Prayer post example is one of many beautiful prayer resources. Highly recommended [prayed and enjoyed!]
*

* What a fabulous opportunity to attend the conference, Jan. I am so pleased you had that opportunity and have inspired us with your 5 ?s regarding prayer. It sounds much in accord with Christine Valters Paintners' Abbey of the Arts, of which we monks in the world draw inspiration. Thank you for today's post!
* Your prayers are especially appreciated as I prepare for the journey to meet  my 1st wee grandson and spend a short while with the blessed parents!  * I haven't settled on transportation for my return and need wisdom provision for that.  * It's now Sunday and I'm  SO  Grateful to share God's provision of wisdom and transportation has been arranged! Awesome and Amazing - a direct flite at seat sale price! * TY Lord!
*
How do you pray?  Insights you'd care to share?
*

*

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Prayer: Finding Your Voice in the Psalms ~ Elizabeth j Canham Author

Preparing my reading for Sunday,

final day of the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon.

I have entirely enjoyed the motivation to choose reading

over lesser activities when I had the choice

and the outcome has proven itself

in this being my 10th book in 6 days

[plus having reviewed most as well as having read!]

Here's my first book choice for today ~

Finding Your VOice in the Psalms:
An Invitation to Honest Prayer

- by Elizabeth J Canham author

Released April 1st 2013 

Published by Upper Room Books who introduce us to the book:

"Discover the beauty and power of the Psalms as you 

* hear God's word in stillness and silence 

* find stability in God's faithfulness 

* deal with disappointment, anger, and pain 

* rest in God's grace 

* celebrate creation 

* discover the holy in the ordinary 

* experience joy and learn to praise God"

Canham describes her reason for writing this book:
"I want to share my delight in the Psalms and offer models for praying with them.
I write for all the heart-hungry people of God
who must live and pray in the midst of very busy lives."

From the Goodreads intro,

"This book will help readers bring all of their emotions to God, 

including joy, anger, desperation, and yearning for God. 

A Leader's Guide is included."

Sounds like a great read to share with FHC blog readers.

I'll be back to add my thoughts once I've completed it.
Here they are...

I loved this book by Dr Canham.  Personable and practical.
It makes the Psalms available and applicable ...

The Psalms are ancient Hebrew prayers addressing our
experiences in life even today.
Heartfelt responses of joy, sorrow, lament, praise,
they encourage free expression by example set.
Music, dance, movement, all are part of worshipping God.
In reading another's open heart toward God,
we discover God's open heart is turned toward us.

Dr. Canham models praying with the Psalms
 including the silent pause that begins the reading
and ends each line,
making room for hearing the Voice of Holy Spirit
and dwelling in God's nurturing Presence.
Moving from our own voice - allowing for God's transformative work.

Lectio Divina is beautifully outlined and explained
for readers instruction and use.
A process for creating our own Psalm in response to our life's
hope, joy, need, gratitude, desire, loss, injustice, grief...
 either individually or in a group, is also described.

Written with insights gained whilst living
 in a Benedictine monastery,
accessible writing style for instruction and understanding,
it is an invitation to intentional living in awareness, present to God.
Moving counter-culturally from constant restless 'doing' to rest -
to 'being' - still -  living at rest.
Ps 116.7  'Return, O my soul, to your rest'
the place of restoration - the still waters and pastures where
'He restores my soul' Psalm 23.3

'Finding Your Voice in the Psalms: An Invitation to Honest Prayer'
is an invitation worth accepting.
Highly recommended!

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*Thank you to Upper Room Books for the opportunity to read and review
'Finding Your Voice in the Psalms' without obligation.