Shows
Discerning GraceDiscerning LifeJoin as I enter Holy Week and look at a Discerning Life and a preference for God. How do we do that and what does a “preference for God” mean? Listen as I share what I have learned from the book titled “A Discerning Life” and begin to notice where God might be encouraging you look, notice, and connect with God.Ponderings: Looking back on this Lent, how has it been different than other years? Can you notice where God was trying to grab your attention today? Is your life too busy or time so budgeted you don’t...
2022-04-1610 min
Discerning GraceLent Week 1 2022Many songs have been written about the cross of Christ. How can we sit with a song and take a moment to accept the emotions of the words? How can life, death, and resurrection mingle together? Reflecting on the death of her father, Flannery O’Connor wrote in her journal, “The reality of death has come upon us and a consciousness of the power of God has broken our complacency like a bullet in the side. The cross brings up many visual images for us. I wonder what you see when you visualize the cross.Ponde...
2022-03-1709 min
Discerning GraceConfession - Week 3This is the third and last talk on Confession in the greater series of Spiritual Disciplines. The discussion is focused on the reasons it is considered a “Corporate” discipline, one done in community. How comfortable are you with a public confession? When you are with a group that participates in a read confession, I think it suddenly levels the playing field. Yes, we are all sinners, yet God calls us Saints and His own children, what a powerful thing.Ponderings: How might confession, admitting your faults or mistakes to another, change your life? Acti...
2022-03-0909 min
Discerning GraceConfession - Week 2Today is our 2nd chat on Confession. Building on the first chat, I will look at why your view of God affects your belief in forgiveness and your desire to confess. Then, I will lead us into a general confession of sin.Ponderings: Am I ever hesitant to ask God for forgiveness? Do you ever get tired of confessing your wrongs? Is there any physical or emotional change after confession? How might I work forgiveness into my daily life?Click here for this weeks transcriptClick here for the rest of the series
2022-02-1610 min
Discerning GraceConfession - Week 1This week I will begin a new Spiritual Discipline, one that is the least talked about, and if we do it is in secret. I certainly didn’t think of it as a “discipline” something to practice as a young Christian. Come along as we learn together how much freedom and joy can be found in confession.Ponderings: What are your thoughts and practices in relation to Confession? Do you find yourself on either extreme as discussed in the chat? What if confession truly could bring your soul freedom? When you think about confes...
2022-02-0911 min
Discerning GraceWorship Week 3This is the last chat on Worship. A quote from C.S. .Lewis sums up the concept shared in this chat, “All enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise….We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; …the delight is incomplete till it is expressed.” Let’s apply this to praise and worship.Ponder What does it feel like to be moved toward Worship? For you, what is the most important part of worship? Think about how you would explain worship to someone else. Is worship something y...
2022-02-0208 min
Discerning GraceWorship - Week 2This is week two in the Spiritual Exercise of Worship. Worship is a corporate Spiritual Discipline in that we are called to worship together. To Join our souls with the Spirit of God and together with one voice recognize our universal need for the Almighty. One aspect of this need is understanding it is a personal shift from doing something to ‘being’ and longing to rest under the shelter of His wings.Ponderings: Take some time to think about where you are in regard to the spiritual discipline of Worship. Are you able to move from the...
2022-01-2610 min
Discerning GraceNew Year 2022As we look into 2022 what does the Creator, Designer, Master want for your life? What voices are you listening to? I I don’t think He is asking us to make a list of New Year Resolutions, like many do. Like : get fit, loss weight, spend less, get out of debt, find love, - the list goes on. However, I wonder if God might be asking you something else? Have you asked Him lately?Ponderings: What do I think God is calling me to this year? Am I ready to open myself up to...
2022-01-1211 min
Discerning GraceEpiphany 2022The season of Christmas and the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child is not over. Today we celebrate Epiphany. Historically this is the day the Magi visited Jesus. The fullness of this day is for us as followers of Jesus to embrace Jesus as the gift from the Father to all of us. We recognize Jesus as the Son of God, fully man and fully God. Come listen and be encouraged.Ponderings Can I truly accept the possibility that God could speak to me in a dream? How would I deal...
2022-01-0510 min
Discerning GraceAdvent Week 4 - PeaceWelcome to our last Sunday in Advent. I hope the season has been meaningful for you. Come and listen as we dwell on the idea of Peace. May your heart be warmed. Merry Christmas!
2021-12-2207 min
Discerning GraceAdvent - Week 3 - JoyWelcome to the third week in Advent. The virtue I am discussing is joy. I will read some scripture that uses the word joy, quoting from: King David, Zephaniah, Elizabeth, and Mary, mother of Jesus. These passages help us get a more rounded view of the word, “joy”. This is not an easy virtue to take hold of, but is hard won through suffering, pain, and sometimes sorrow. Like any journey with God, it is always worth it.Ponderings: If I would make a choice to chose joy twice a day, what would that l...
2021-12-1510 min
Discerning GraceAdvent - Week 2 - LoveThis is the second week in Advent. Has the business of life overwhelmed your great intentions for Advent this year? Welcome to life, the best plans can quickly unravel. I want to encourage you that you can still begin to prepare for the Christ Child. God waits for us to come, wherever you are, He is longing to meet with you, come.Pondering: What does God’s love look like to me? Can I ponder the idea that maybe I don’t have true control over my life? What would I have to let go of, to e...
2021-12-0810 min
Discerning GraceAdvent - Week 1 - HopeWelcome to the first Sunday of Advent. Join me as we look at the meaning of Advent and the beginning traditions and what Hope means to me today. Look at website to sign up for the retreat on January 8th 10 am-12:00. As we celebrate and review together our experience of Advent.Here is this weeks transcript
2021-12-0109 min
Discerning GraceWorship - Week 1This week will begin the first discipline in the category of corporate or community disciplines. We will begin with the exercise of Worship. Reading the psalms and looking at some ideas to prepare ourselves for worship.Ponder What is my definition of worship? If I am honest, how do I prepare to accept God’s Spirit when I go to church? Do you come to a service expectantly? What images arise with Br. Lawrence and his idea of” The Presence of God”?This weeks postThis weeks transcript
2021-11-1011 min
Discerning GraceRemembering my DadThis week I am taking a break from Spiritual Disciplines to remember my father. At 91, he went to be with his Savior. Over the past week I have been reminded of the fingerprints of God all through his earthly life. Here are a few of my personal highlights.
2021-11-0309 min
Discerning GraceService - Am I serving those God sends to me?This is our last week in the Discipline of Service. We will look at other types of service as well as the famous parable of the Good Samaritan. Join us as we stretch our hearts and minds with the example that Jesus offers.Ponderings: What benefits do you receive from serving others? What type of service makes you the most uncomfortable? What would it take for you to attempt it? Which service comes easiest to you or where is your natural bend (talent) in the realm of service? What service do you wish...
2021-10-1310 min
Discerning GraceService - What is Service?Welcome, I will be expanding on the different types of service we as Christians may focus on for spiritual growth. This is not an exhaustive list, rather a sampling of different ideas we may use in our walk with God. These are based on the writings by Richer Foster in Celebration of Discipline. Join me as we look at simple ways to grow in this discipline.Ponder Look over the prayer of service and pick out some of your strengths. What areas are uncomfortable to talk about or listen to? Why? When did someone last serve...
2021-10-0612 min
Discerning GraceService - What is the Discipline of Service?The discipline of service comes in many forms. The idea of being a servant or slave to Christ can bring up a mixture of feelings and visual images. Some may be uncomfortable to us. The concept of more of Jesus and less of me becomes evident in this episode of Service. Come join as we wrestle with our pride and the idea of humbleness.Ponderings How comfortable are you with the phase “slave/servant of God”? Where do you see service blending into another spiritual discipline? What steps can you take to get your...
2021-09-2912 min
Discerning GraceSubmission, Freely Setting Aside Your Wants for the Needs of AnotherWelcome, join us on the final week of submission. Let us not look at gender but at the example of submission Jesus provides. Submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. For many, me included, this is not an easy discipline to practice. Let the life of Jesus continue to encourage and motivate you.Ponderings: Take some silent prayer time to submit your day to God’s plans for you. What happens when you notice a need, can you give in secret, without recognition? How does it feel to let go of your need to sh...
2021-09-2211 min
Discerning GraceSubmission, The Gift of FreedomSubmission, oh how it rubs me the wrong way. Where can I change my focus and see freedom instead of bondage in my view of submission. Join me as I chat and read scripture about how Jesus asked his disciples and us today to submit to one another.Ponderings Sit with “the freedom to give up our own rights for the good of others”, what does that mean to you? How is your definition of submission changing? What if I did one unselfish thing for someone else, without a thought of anything in return? Look at your...
2021-09-1510 min
Discerning GraceSubmission, Really, It's a Discipline?Submission is one of the twelve spiritual disciplines. Before you skip this chat, I want you to recognize your first emotional response to the word. If it was negative, I encourage you to join me as we look at the freedom that can be found in this exercise. Also, recognizing that some churches have done a disservice in their way of teaching this topic; we will study the example of Jesus and his submission.Ponderings What was your first reaction to the word submission? Say out loud what your definition is of submission? How are you...
2021-09-0810 min
Discerning GraceSolitude Week 3 - Light of the WorldHave you wondered how to start your practice of solitude, today I give a few tips on how to begin your journey with silence and stillness. You will be reminded that as Christ is the light of the world, you are children on the light, image bearers. Come and practice a listening heart.Ponderings: Take notice of times when you long for silence this week, what were the circumstances surrounding it? How do you see Solitude as an outward discipline? Where can you find 3 minutes in your day, to sit still and let go of your...
2021-09-0108 min
Discerning GraceSolitude Week 2 - Dark Night of the SoulThis is our second week in Solitude and I want to discuss a difficult time in a Christian’s walk, the Dark night of the Soul. What happens when suffering, loss, and overwhelming pain, create a situation when you cannot hear God. How can you talk with the Comforter when you have no words? Come join me as we reach out to the One who knows us best.Ponderings Have you had so much pain and suffering that you are speechless before the Father? Can you relate to the term “Dark night of the...
2021-08-2510 min
Discerning GraceSolitude - Week 1Today is the first chat on solitude. It is an outward discipline, meaning the practices can be seen or noticed by another. How is silence involved with solitude? Listen as I give biblical examples, as well as a recent personal one. Welcome, come and take a moment to listen.Ponderings What is your definition of Solitude? What is the difference between Solitude and loneliness? What are your initial feelings about the idea of solitude? I wonder what your image of solitude looks like. How does silence fit into solitude?Here is the...
2021-08-1812 min
Discerning GraceSpiritual FormationWhat is your definition of Spiritual formation? Get a notebook, or journal as I will have a few ponderings and ideas in this chat today for you to write about this week. Come see what scripture says about formation and spiritual practices. There is joy in the journey.
2021-08-1109 min
Discerning GracePrayer - Week 3As we enter in to our third contemplative chat on prayer, may you take time to listen and learn the voice of the one who calls you beloved. The world tries to keep your attention and energy while God waits patiently for you to come and sit with him. Today, may you draw close and hear his voice calling you.Ponder: Is there a time when I notice Jesus calling to me to sit and rest with him? Do I notice a nudge from God or the Holy Spirit when I am in...
2021-08-0408 minDiscerning GracePrayer - Week 2Welcome, this is our second week on prayer. I hope you are able to ponder the idea of prayer during the week. Today I want to look at prayer not as an event but a lifestyle- to live prayerfully. So, why pray? What are your motives? Let’s think about what we gain as we enter into communion with God. The root of all prayer and indeed all life itself, is desire for God. All things are made to desire God”, Roberta Bondi.Ponderings: What is your definition of prayer? Is my relationship with God a ‘love rel...
2021-07-2811 minDiscerning GracePrayer - Week 1Today I am going to begin discussing prayer. Prayer is an inward discipline. It rounds out the 4 inward disciplines. We have looked at Meditation, fasting, and study. I want to begin by thinking about what prayer means to us and how we come to the idea of prayer. I will offer questions to help bring to mind how you have experienced prayer in the last month. Come join me as we begin to look at our own style of talking to God.Ponderings How would you describe your prayer life to a friend? What is your pers...
2021-07-2109 minDiscerning GraceBreath BreakWelcome. This is Heidi from Discerning Grace. Today I am taking a break from exercises. Physical or spiritual exercises can easily move from helpful and healthy to a negative even unhealthy activity in our life. I took a break from the exercises because I was getting caught up in ‘doing things’ instead of ‘being’. It is good for us to have goals, to strive and seek ever more to be an image bearer of Jesus. Yet, there are times when just being is more than enough. Taking time to sit at His feet and listen or watch or feel the worl...
2021-07-1408 minDiscerning GraceAbundant SimplicityI have been reading a book by Jan Johnson, Abundant Simplicity, Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace. I must, with strong intention, slow myself down to savor the wisdom and insight I read. My habit is to devour the new information as quickly as I can, skimming subtitles and glancing over indented paragraphs. I have so many books I long to read, I should hurry up and finish this so I can get on to the next book calling my name-“ Oh look, there is another book….” Can you relate to the idea of my sense of urgency for good t...
2021-07-0709 minDiscerning GraceSimplicity isn't SimpleWelcome, today I will continue with the disciple, Simplicity. It is categorized as an outward discipline because it can be witnessed in our Christian community. Yet, as I discussed last week, its foundation must be internal. What are your thoughts in the area of simplicity? Have you a visual picture that comes to mind? Simplicity, at least at the beginning, is not simple. I believe new ideas are best integrated in small bites, tiny steps. I found a quote, taken from the book, Freedom of Simplicity, that reads, “May God give you and me the courage, the wisdom, the st...
2021-06-3008 minDiscerning GraceWhat is Simplicity?“Seeking the kingdom involves a closer look at, and potential rejection of, our society’s view of consumerism, materialism, wealth, accumulation, and the clutter of our lives. Kingdom living means I ‘m free to receive from this world and free to give it up. We can only genuinely enjoy possessions without them destroying us when we are free to let them go and free to receive them.” A great quote from Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline.Ponderings How can this ancient text, Matthew 6:25-34 be relevant to my life today? Have I seen oth...
2021-06-2308 minDiscerning GraceFasting Week 3This week I conclude this section of spiritual exercise in fasting. Were you able to take some time and look at the biblical examples of fasting? What have some of your thoughts been in relation to the idea of fasting? The most important piece of fasting, is praying. With the help of the Holy Spirit, chose something to abstain from, maybe something that has a hold on you, it could be: food, computer, a phone, a particular activity, videos, gaming, maybe it is something you think you deserve- a desire, it could even be an idea or thought that...
2021-06-1607 minDiscerning GraceFasting Week 2 - Intention MattersWhat are your thoughts on fasting? Have you come up with your own definition? I like the definition given by Nathan Foster in his book The Making of an Ordinary Saint: My Journey from Frustration to Joy with the Spiritual Disciplines. He writes:”Fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity. Remember, there is nothing wrong with these normal functions in life; it is just that there are times when we set them aside in order to concentrate. Once we understand this, we can see both the reasonableness of...
2021-06-0908 minDiscerning GraceWhat are My Beliefs around the Idea of Fasting?What do you know about fasting? Is this a practice that is relevant today and how do I feel about it? This contemplative chat introduces fasting. No “how to” this week, just a chance to hear from a few heros of the faith and a time to ponder what you believe in relation to fasting.Ponderings Maybe you haven’t practiced fasting before because you have been told it is not healthy and the bible says that we can enjoy all God has created, which is true. Maybe this practice is too intimidating. You ha...
2021-06-0208 minDiscerning GraceStudy, Behind the ScenesWelcome, join us today as we look at 3 writers that made an impact on our Spiritual Disciple topic “Study”. There is so much that never finds it’s way into our “contemplative Chat” that I do each week, I will occasionally break the series and share. Today is one of those days. Join me as we look at 3 different translations of Hebrews 12:1-3I used the book “Spiritual Classics, selected Readings on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines” by Edited by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin. “Spiritual Disciplines Companion” by Jan JohnsonPonderings I wonder what I like about my fav...
2021-05-2609 minDiscerning GraceStudy Week 3This is the last chat on the spiritual exercise of “Study”. How are you doing with this topic? Have you become more open minded or has it felt like a weight, a burden? Or are you looking forward to the next topic? We are all different. Some of us will gravitate toward one exercise more than another- that is natural, don’t be discouraged if this set of “study exercises” have been dry for you. Maybe you will be excited about the next topic.The first week we looked at scripture passages to study, then we moved to others...
2021-05-1908 minDiscerning GraceSpiritual Disciplines - Study Week 2When some Christians think of study, the first thought is scripture. Today we will look at other things that believers can study: books by the faithful, biographies, theological writings, and witnessing the lives of those who have followed the ‘still small voice” of God. Studying is not just about books.Things to Ponder What is your first thought when you hear the word “Study” as an exercise you could practice? When thinking about “Study” where could you benefit from a deeper comprehension of truth in your life? Of the different ways to study, which seems...
2021-05-1208 minDiscerning GraceSpiritual Disciplines - Study Week 1Today I begin discussing the Spiritual discipline of study. Study is another the inward discipline or personal discipline in our series called Spiritual Growth. Study takes intention and time, understanding and interpretation, then finally evaluating what you have studied. Bottom line it takes time. Your first thought is “I don’t have enough time to do what I need already, I can’t add something new.” I understand that. The discipline of study isn’t something that is an “add on” chore. It is something that can be integrated into your life. It is the step you take to think about wh...
2021-05-0509 minDiscerning GraceMeditation - Week 3Welcome to Discerning Grace. This is our last week on Meditation. Donald Bloesch says: “Our goal in meditation is not simply detachment from the world but a richer attachment to God and to other human beings. As people united with Christ, we seek power and boldness for the service of His kingdom. Calvin contended that through meditation on things divine we “may refresh our languishing spirits with new vigor. I would add that we also fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit, welcoming the True Comforter to reside in our soul. Next week we will begin another inner discipline-Study. See you...
2021-04-2811 minDiscerning GraceMeditation - Week 2Welcome, today during our second talk on Meditation, I will walk us through a practice exercise of meditation. Meditation is a type of prayer. We are seeking to spend time with God. My definition of prayer is spending time with God, or communing with Jesus. Come join me as we listen to scripture and wait on the Spirit.Ponderings Pick out a verse that moves you. Say each word slowly let each word sink from your mind into your heart. Feel the words. Speak the word or words aloud to God. Ponder the meaning. Could God...
2021-04-2110 minDiscerning GraceMeditation - Week 1I am sure we all have had the experience of trying to sit down to read our bible and you get nothing out of it, you can’t focus, but you “did it”. How can I come to my bible reading/ bible study differently? I think preparation is important. Just as you may dress up to go out, we need to prepare ourselves to go deeper with our relationship with Christ. The first discipline or spiritual exercise we will be discussing is meditation. Before you get to frustrated with me I want you to take a nice deep breathe, I am g...
2021-04-1410 minDiscerning GraceIntroduction to Spiritual DisciplinesUnder Spiritual Formation, we begin a new series on Spiritual Exercises or practices. These exercises fall into three categories: inward, outward, and corporate. Today we do an overview of why they are important and how you can begin to integrate new ways to “look more like Jesus.”
2021-04-0708 minDiscerning GraceHoly WeekWelcome to Holy Week, the last devotional for Lent. Each prior week we looked at a different aspect of forgiveness. Today, I have shifted and am talking about a few aspects of Holy Week. From triumphal entry into Jerusalem to Passover and how that relates to us today. Plus a view into Christ’s servant heart when he washed the disciple’s feet.
2021-03-3112 minDiscerning GraceForgiving YourselfThis week we look it the difficulties we face when we say, “I can’t forgive myself.”. From the self-bashing to learning to let go of guilt and shame, how do we forgive ourselves? How can we begin to accept the forgiveness freely offered to us? Join us as we finish the topic of Forgiveness.
2021-03-2309 minDiscerning GraceForgiving Those Close to Us.Welcome to our fifth week together in this Lenten season. This quote has been on my mind:“The reasons for forgiving ourselves are the same as for forgiving others. It is how we become free of the past. It is how we heal and grow. It is how we make meaning out of our suffering, restore our self-esteem, and tell a new story of who we are. If forgiving others leads to an external peace, forgiving ourselves leads to an internal peace.”Desmond and Mpho Tutu, The Book of ForgivingLet us look at t...
2021-03-1710 minDiscerning GraceI Can't Forgive THATThis week as we respond to “I can’t forgive THAT!” Let me softly remind you that even if the person has wronged you, there is still a spot in them that is hurt, broken, even defeated. That could be me; hurt, broken and defeated, the that needs to be forgiven. I pray that in that moment I am able to let go of resentment and grasp the line of hope. May I respond with “YES, I forgive, PLEASE forgive me!!”
2021-03-1013 minDiscerning GraceI forgive you and I ask for your forgiveness - Lent - Week 3Welcome to our third week since Ash Wednesday. This week we delve deeply into our need for personal forgiveness. How can we offer forgiveness if we are do not accept forgiveness? What did you ponder this past week and is it offering you a clearer picture of your heart?
2021-03-0314 minDiscerning GraceWeek 2 of LentWelcome to week 2 of lent. I am excited to share this journey with you. Here are the ponderings for this week. Can I give God 5 minutes of time when I just listen?What does it mean when it is said “ When we hold on to our anger, we are often the ones who suffer.”What happens in my heart when I pray just one verse- offering it up to God?Have I ever heard “the still small voice of God”? the whisper…When I “hear” God, is it a sense, a feelin...
2021-02-2416 minDiscerning GraceAsh WednesdayI am so excited you have come to join me as we journey though Lent 2021. Unexpected problems might arise, work might try to steal my strength, and life can just be hard. I speak from personal experience. This week alone I have had to set aside frustrations, an emergency that required a plane ride, and my own feels of wanting to escape. I want to control the situation and God just smiles. Ok, I would like the illusion of control.This could be you. Maybe it is something else entirely. What I do know is He already...
2021-02-1710 min