Make a New Habit!

"We are converted not only once in our lives but many times. 

And the conversion is little by little. 

Sometimes it is as imperceptible as grass growing. 

But Lent gives us a time to move the process along. 

Intentionally. 

By small surrenders." (6)

~~Emilie Griffin, Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey

The period of Lent begins tomorrow with Ash Wednesday. This is traditionally a time for Christians to take up a practice of addition or subtraction to learn greater love for God and less self-satisfaction. I like Emilie Griffin's words above in relating this to a small surrender: any effort is a small surrender of one's self-indulgence. It is also serendipitously a way to create a new habit. . . .or a way to start working towards that.

People used to say that it takes 3 weeks to make a new habit, but current research indicates that it takes  longer. "If we can just keep it up for 21 days, it'll become a habit, right? Not so fast. The three-week rule is something of an urban legend, found a study led by Phillippa Lally, PhD, a psychologist at University College London. It actually took people 66 days (9.5 weeks) for a behavior to become automatic (or feel weird not to do it). But that's just an average. Some habits, such as drinking a bottle of water after lunch, turned out to be much stickier (it took 59 days on average) than doing 50 sit-ups each morning (91 days). Forging a new habit gets easier and easier as you gain momentum, Lally says. Eventually you'll stop counting the days… and just do it."(from 6 Ways to Become a Creature of New Habits)

So 40 days is halfway or "almost there" for reaching the ease of having a new habit. It is an intentional process in living a better way--in greater awareness.

It could be as small or simple as adding a glass of water each day to one's life, or subtracting one hour of tv each day. I've even thought it would be beneficial to add 2 minutes of meditation every day. That's do-able, right?

So think of a small surrender of addition or subtraction you can easily do for the next 40 days. . . and maybe longer.

Have you ever felt in these ways?

 Father Ron Rolheiser re-phrased Karl Rahner's proofs for the existence of God:

 Here's a paraphrase of his argument:

• Have you ever remained silent, though you wanted to defend yourself, though you were treated unfairly?

• Have you ever forgiven, though you received no reward for it and people took it for granted?

• Have you ever obeyed, not because you had to or else there would be some unpleasantness, but simply because of some mysterious, silent, unfathomable reality inside of yourself?

• Have you ever made a sacrifice, without receiving thanks, without recognition, without even feeling satisfaction inside?

• Have you ever been absolutely lonely and, within that, had to make up your mind to do something purely for the sake of conscience, from a place beyond where you can describe, from a place where you are deeply alone, and where you know you are making a decision for which the responsibility will be yours alone, always and eternally?

• Have you ever tried to love when no wave of enthusiasm was carrying you along, where you could no longer confuse your own needs with love?

• Have you ever persevered without bitterness in doing your duty when that duty looked like death, felt like it was killing you, looked stupid to those outside, and left you helpless to not envy those who have chosen a path with more pleasure?

• Have you ever been good to someone from whom no echo of gratitude or comprehension came back and where you weren't even rewarded with the feeling that you had been good and unselfish?

If you've ever had any of these experiences, then you've experienced God and know that there's a deeper ground beneath the one on which you walk.

The Right Time

"As we know, revelation itself is progressive, not because God chooses to withhold His truth, but because personal development is necessary if truth is to be received as true." (12)

Beha, Marie. "Formation for Contemplative, Part 2." Contemplative Review, Winter 1980, 8-18.

(I found this in the library at Lebh Shomea in the bound journals way up on the third floor of the mansion back in December 2006).

The Spiritual Journey

I don't have many words, and so here is an image from Purple that describes the spiritual journey:

The Pilgrim's Creed

My friend Nancy shared The Pilgrim's Creed with me, in preparation for my trip. These phrases show me the way to live on vacation and in everyday life.

• I am not in control.
• I am not in a hurry.
• I walk in faith and hope.
• I greet every one in peace.
• I bring back only what God gives me.

I don't know the source (even though I googled it), but am glad that Nancy brought this to my attention.

How Spiritual Disciplines Work

Eknath Eaaswaran wrote:
I once asked my grandmother, “Why shouldn’t we go after pleasant things, Granny? It’s only human. And what’s wrong with wanting to stay away from unpleasant things?” She didn’t argue with me. She just told me to eat an amla fruit.

It was easier said than done. The fruit was so sour that I wanted to spit it out, but she stopped me. “Don’t give up. Keep chewing.” Out of love for her, I did, and the sourness left. The fruit began to taste sweeter and sweeter. “Granny, this is delicious,” I said.

“But you didn’t like it at the outset. You wanted to spit it out.” That is how it is with spiritual disciplines.

by Eknath Easwaran (1910-1999)

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By.
(Copyright 1999 and 2005 by The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.)
Select the Thought for the Day for any day of the year.

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Who Am I Kidding?

I've been reading two different books by Regina Sara Ryan: Igniting the Inner Life and Praying Dangerously, both of which are also available in Kindle editions.

I've been struck by the questions asked and points to ponder that cause me to pay more attention right now, and here is something I am thinking about today: WHO AM I KIDDING?

Ryan writes:
"'Who am I kidding?' is the form of self-inquiry that my guru teaches. He instructs me to use it regularly, whether I am stuck in feelings of being unappreciated, or when I'm feeling ecstatic, like I just got nominated for a Pulitzer. Wherever the inquiry leads, I am cautioned to keep asking the question about whatever occurs next, as I watch what happens--within the mind, the body, the emotions. Then, I ask the question again." (169)

"Who am I kidding? is meant to cut through the bullshit of self-justification, blame, self-pity, and demand a look at what's really going on. Such is the process of deepening self-knowledge. This practice builds a genuine inner life. Without a foundation of this degree of self-honesty, there is no chance of having genuine compassion for others."  (171)

Ryan, Regina Sara. Igniting the Inner Life. Prescott, AZ: Hohm Press, 2010.


I need to ask myself "Who am I kidding" more often than just today!

It all adds up!

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. 

Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, 

but instantly set about remedying them – every day begin the task anew. "
– Saint Francis de Sales

Eknath Easwaran writes:



"While we were living on the Blue Mountain in India, we noticed that our local bank had a very neighborly arrangement for collecting funds from the villagers. Poor villagers have very little to save, only a few copper pennies at most. To encourage them to deposit even these few pennies every day, the bank employed a boy with a bicycle to go into the village to their homes, collect their few coppers, and enter the total in their account.

"In meditation it is the same: when the Self comes, we can say, 'We are no great saint, but a few times today we have tried to be patient. A few times today we have tried to put our family first. A few times today we have resisted some little craving for personal satisfaction.' This is how most of us are going to make progress for a long time: a few pennies here, a few pennies there, collected every day. But in these innumerable little acts of selflessness lies spiritual growth, which over a long period can transform every one of us into a loving person. To quote the bank advertisement, 'It all adds up.'"

 1000 pennies = $10.00

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By. (Copyright 1999 and 2005 by The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.)

Thursday Thank You's

I believe what Meister Eckhart wrote: if the only prayer you ever say is "THANK YOU," that is enough! So here is a gratitude list of "thank you's" for today:

• Avery's baptism this past Sunday with family and friends joining us for the celebration!

• The thank you note I received from one of Avery's parents' friends, thanking us for inviting them to a luncheon, which they were even unable to attend! This reminds me of my long-time friend Nancy, who told me when we were teenagers that her mother sometimes said she needed to thank me for my thank you note! I have felt that way ever since I found this card in my mailbox!

• The return of pain and swelling in my hands and wrists are reminding me that I am grateful that I am starting the next stage of RA medication on Monday, when I take my first shot of Humira. Every other week injections will be my life for awhile (forever?). I am also grateful that my insurance company will pay for these extremely expensive drugs--also the determining factor of my continued usage of Humira and other such medicines.

• I am trying off-and-on to appreciate the inner turmoil I am experiencing about criticism and feeling-like-rejection from someone who used to live here. Intellectually, I can be removed, but within, I am hurt.

• Mail--Not only that thank you note but notes from a friend visiting in Maine and from my oldest daughter AE in Seattle!

Friday Five: Words

Today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

There is a dramatic and surprising venue for Spiritual Formation/Sunday School classes at my church: Each week a different person teaches about a "word" that expresses his/her passion or interest. The first week someone spoke about "hospitality" with abundant treats on her mother and grandmother's china arrayed on tables. Other words have been "connectivity," "Trinity," "money," and "dreams." No one knows which person will be teaching until the class convenes. I am teaching this Sunday and plan to talk about "stirrings."

For this Friday Five, please list five words that identify your passions, spirituality, and/or life. Describe as much or as little as you wish.

And now I have spent the day trying to organize my thoughts about "stirrings," as mentioned above. So I am quickly and briefly doing this FF:

1. procrastination: Obviously, what I do, especially about writing. I even have a blog label entitled "Procrastination."

2. stirrings: Coming from that time at Lebh Shomea where I was first struck with stirrings, I am trying to be more attentive to these subtle feelings within me.

"A glimpse is not a vision. But to a man on a mountain road at night, a glimpse of the next three feet of road may matter more than a vision of the horizon."
~~C. S. Lewis

3. yearning: As my blog title shows, I yearn for God, now realizing that this yearning is actually the presence of God!

"Julian regards prayer as an act of yearning which leads to beseeching, and beseeching leads to beholding. Yearning is the first mark of awakened soul, the beginning of its movement back to its source, its deep rootedness in the being of God."
~~Kenneth Leech

4. connection: I thirst for connection--with both friends and family. It is surprising how the internet can provide a depth of relationship, although personal/physical connections are the most intimate.

5. meditation: Since beginning to practice Christ-Centered Prayer, which is centering prayer without a word to focus upon, I have found greater peace, confidence, and even some detachment.

Stirrings

I remember when I was about three years old that I thought it was magical when I stirred a few chocolate chips into my bowl of warm vanilla pudding, it changed color and became chocolate!

Whenever we start to mix something into a liquid, the first stirring does not do much. It takes successive revolutions of the spoon to get things combined. At first, not much happens!

While at Lebh Shomea, I read a book about The Cloud of Unknowing by William Johnston and was struck by a short section about "stirring":

"The true stirring of God does not come through any of the senses, nor does it come from reasoning but from abundance of love welling up in the heart:

"'Look that thy stirrings to silence or to speaking, to fasting or to eating, to oneliness or to company, whether they come from within of abundance of love and devotion in spirit and not from without by windows of they bodily wits, they ears and thine eyes.'" (121)

Johnston, William. The Mysticism of the Cloud of Unknowing. NY: Desclee Co., 1967.

First stirrings of love or happiness may not be noticed, but in awareness these may be discerned earlier; then acted upon sooner.

In more modern language, we might say "nudges." However, I prefer to think of the stirrings, like the ways I began to stir the chocolate chips into the warm pudding.

Jan. Friends: Acceptance

Friendship is always a way of accepting others for whom they are. However, I am not always as welcoming to myself as I am with others. Having grown up in an alcoholic home, I was raised with unwritten laws of (1) do not talk; (2) do not feel; and (3) do not trust. These "rules" continue to affect me in my life, though I am growing out of them to some degree.

Unfortunately, during times of stress, I revert to old patterns and inevitably judge myself harshly. I am aware that I did this during our Christmas-time with all our children home: when things seemed to be rocky or not idyllic, I periodically would assume it was MY fault. But how can I be in charge of everyone else? Forgetting that the only person I can change is myself, I expected that I could make everyone happy! When that failed to materialize, I took on the blame or responsibility.

This is old, old behavior. So my family and visitors were teaching me lessons I needed to learn (and re-learn)--that feelings arise and disappear and are NOT who I am (or who anyone else is). I am NOT my feelings! I am beloved as I am, not in the future or the past--just as each person is.

What is necessary:

ACCEPT--ALLOW--RESPECT!

Doubting myself

I remember when I was in therapy and going to 12-step groups, people always compared growth to the peeling of an onion. It seems like we keep returning to the same behavior, even though we think we've gone beyond it. Back again!

I fell back into the behavior of thinking that I'm not good enough this past week. That has been a pattern throughout my entire life, probably because I grew up with an alcoholic father who was very critical. I now realize he acted this way due to his own feelings of inadequacy, but I did not know that when I was growing up.

Through therapy, healing and spiritual growth, I have gained more confidence in myself. Periodically, I fall again into self-denigration. At least now I don't stay in that self-critical mode as long; slowly I am learning.

This past week I was doubting my proficiency (what a term!) in prayer, as I continued to sit in meditation (or Christ Centered Prayer) twice a day. "Not good enough" was a refrain echoing within, but with continued centering prayer and keeping on, that diminished into non-existence.

Awareness of this weakness in me is key; if I can notice this tendency sooner, then I will let go of the judgment in a more timely manner. This pattern may never totally disappear, but I have faith that it will continue to lessen.

Growth seems to go forwards and backwards and in a spiral, but I am already beloved and whole in the sight of God--even if I don't know that yet. It's like the story of a person being hidden by 1,000 veils; with the unveiling of each one, sight becomes clearer; the person is still the same, but that cannot be seen until all is revealed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My spiritual director told me to read about "Doubts" in The Lessons: How to Understand Spiritual Principles, Spiritual Activities, and Rising Emotions by Sandy Casey-Martus and Carla Mancari. (This is not a book for easy reading; it is more of a workbook or reference book for spiritual growth.) Here are a few pertinent quotes that helped me:

"Doubts are inner rising mental vibrating energies which cause you to question your spiritual walk in all its phases."

"Doubts trigger a chain reaction. Doubts--disbelief--wavering--distrusting--hesitation--lack of creativity that may slow your forward progress. At times, doubts may freeze your ability to move to the inner awareness. For all these reasons, doubts are taken seriously."

"There are doubts when there doesn't appear to be any spiritual progress and there are doubts when there does appear to be progress. With doubts, it is always a no win--no win situation. "

Casey-Martus, Sandy and Mancari, Carla. The Lessons: How to Understand Spiritual Principles, Spiritual Activities, and Rising Emotions. Tucson: Wheatmark, 2008. 71-72.

Elements of Change

The website Zen Habits has a wonderful post on the "Elements of Change."

1. Beating inertia. We all have inertia — that resistance to change, especially major change that disrupts our living patterns or way of thinking. Sometimes it’s not difficult to overcome — we can get excited to make a big change and want to overhaul a certain part of our lives. The joyous path, though, is in the middle ground between no change and drastic change. It’s in small changes — as small as possible. Small changes mean it’s not hard to get started, but also that the change is sustainable. If you make a drastic change, there is a great likelihood that it won’t stick very long.

If you’re feeling that inertia, set out to make as tiny a change as you can — just get out and walk for 5 minutes, or start writing or painting or playing your violin for 5 minutes. You can do anything for 5 minutes — it should seem ridiculously easy, but that’s the point.

(Go here to read descriptions of the rest.)

2. Beating the resistance of others.

3. Finding the joy.

4. Keeping the joy alive.

5. Celebrating the little victories.

6. Making it a part of your life.

And lastly

One last note, to anyone making changes: you will fail. I don’t say that to discourage you, but to release you from the fear of failure … because if you already know it will happen, then there’s no pressure to avoid it. Failure is an inevitable part of change, and in fact it should be celebrated — without failure, we’d learn nothing. Fail, fail often, and learn. Then you’ll be better equipped for the next attempt. Find joy in every attempt, in every victory, in every failure, and the change will be a reward in itself.

by Leo Babauta

Friday Five: Working Out!

Result of being outside in humid South TX

Mompriest brings us this energetic Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

For this Friday Five let's ponder the various ways we work out (or not), physically, spiritually, and/or psychologically.

1. Do you work out physically, spiritually, or psychologically? (I'll let you define what that might mean to you)
The only time I physically worked out were the years I walked 6-12 miles each day when I was struggling with depression and anxiety. That's the only way I managed. That is also the thinnest I have ever been, but I could not enjoy it.

Unfortunately, that excessive image is what I seem to think exercise "should" be, so I do not. I know I need to exercise more, especially since I am trying to lose weight. The only committed physical exercise I do is walking with different friends, three times a week! Tai Chi is a weekly commitment, but I keep being gone on weekends lately, and the class meets on Saturdays.

Personally, I am more inclined to work at spiritual and psychological development/growth. I think they go together, as I learned in all my years of therapy and participation in Al-Anon.

2. Are you more inclined to join a gym, or a book club?
For the past year, I have thought of joining an athletic club, but past history reinforces my denial of this thought. The one I had thought of going to is across town, but I'm tempted by its large swimming pool. I am not ready to commit to that though.

I would rather be in a book club. In fact, I facilitate one that meets weekly--The Wisdom Class. That goes along with spiritual working out, with out interesting discussions. Currently we are reading together Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird.

3. Are you more inclined to read self-help books like Gail Sheehy's "Passages" or spiritual books like Richard Rohr or Theresa of Avila? And if so, what is your favorite?
In years past, I read more self-help books, though some still grab me. Spiritual books are my love. I do like Richard Rohr's books; with his (and others) I find new books through the footnotes and bibliographies.

4. Are you a loyal fan of a sports team? Or do you join the bandwagon when the local team is winning? And, if so, which one?
No

5. Or do you lean more toward having a favorite theologian/Spiritual writer or self help author and if so, who? And, why.
I go through phases of certain writers, usually returning to them. The first one that helped me was Richard Foster with his classic Celebration of Discipline; that was the source that brought me to so many theologians and books to read and follow. The single author of the largest number of books in my shelves is Thomas Merton. Lately, I have been reading books by Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, Ken Wilber, and Karen Armstrong. I want to go back to those written by Beatrice Bruteau.

Friday Five: Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Sally offers today's Friday Five for the RevGalBlogPals:

The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. (2 Corninthians 5: 17-20 The Message)

All this got me thinking that if we traditionally think of spring as a time for new life, then maybe a spiritual spring cleaning might not be a bad thing to clear the way for the new thing that God wants to do in us!

So with all of that in mind I offer you this Friday Five:

1. Is there a part of your spiritual life that is dry and dusty at the moment, something that could do with a good spring clean?
As with Maxine's cartoon above, I want to find my spiritual focus, especially about my master's thesis. I was surprised how I clung onto my unknowing and lack of inspiration at the beginning of this week.

I finally noticed that I've been clinging (from Psalm 63:5-8) too much to my inadequacy. I am trying to pay attention to what I am clinging to, so that I might better cling to God and let go of the other preoccupations.

2. Spiritual disciplines- life-giving/ terrifying: discuss
Sitting in meditation/contemplation twice a day is a discipline that I usually keep. Sometimes it seems pointless, like earlier this week. I commit to this.

The weekly Lectio Divina group is life-giving. This week's meditation on Psalm 63:5-8 brought me to the awareness of "clinging."

Psalm 63:5-8

63:5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips

63:6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

63:7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.

63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

3. Share a practice that keeps you spiritually alive that you think others might benefit from...
Lectio Divina

Christ-Centered Prayer:
1. Sit comfortably.
2. Close eyes, rest hands gently in lap.
3. Slowly in hale deeply and slowly exhale relaxing the entire body.
4. Consciously become aware of your Spiritual Heart Center (center of chest, between the breasts) and rest in awareness.
5. If thoughts or sensations arise, do not dialogue, converse, or respond to their rising. Allow them to rise and again just gently become aware of your Spiritual Heart Center.
6. Continue the practice in this manner. No matter how often thoughts or emotions rise, gently again come aware of your Spiritual Heart Center.
7. At the end of your silent prayer period, take a few minute to become consciously aware of your body before returning to normal activity.

Casey-Martus, Sandra and Mancari, Carla R. The Lessons: How to Understand Spiritual Principles, Spiritual Activities, and Rising Emotions. Tucson: Wheatmark, 2008. 25.

4.Alone or together, how do you pray best?
Usually alone, though there is depth that is reached in a group that is silently praying.

5.If your spiritual life were to burgeon and bloom into a spring flower what would it be and why?
Texas wildflowers, because fields of bluebonnets and other flowers are truly glorious. We are all looking forward to such an abundant spring here in south Texas, because we've had lots of rain and cooler weather this winter. For the past several years the drought has eliminated the growth of most wildflowers.
Bonus, a piece of music a picture or a prayer that speaks to you of new life....
Though I do not see crocuses here, I always remember the excitement of seeing one poke out of the group when I lived in RI and NJ:

Falling In Love With Creation

Hieroglyphic Stairway

it’s 3:23 in the morning
and I’m awake
because my great great grandchildren
won’t let me sleep
my great great grandchildren
ask me in dreams
what did you do while the planet was plundered?

what did you do when the earth was unraveling?

surely you did something
when the seasons started failing?

as the mammals, reptiles, birds were all dying?

did you fill the streets with protest
when democracy was stolen?

what did you do
once
you
knew?...

---by Drew Dellinger

This is from Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation website

They are sponsoring an online Lenten series:

Falling in Love with Creation/ Creation and Francis: A Love Affair

There are reflections and experiential practices, such as:

1. Watch the film on the life and conversion of St. Francis titled, Brother Sun, Sister Moon with the following in mind:

   Care for Creation, a new book on Franciscan Spirituality and Earth Care by Franciscan Sr. Ilia Delio, Franciscan Friar Keith Douglass Warner and Pamela Wood, tells us that St. Francis recognized the interdependence of human beings with one another and with the rest of creation; he experienced God in creation; and, he encountered the pain of the world, which inspired him to pray, to act with compassion and to proclaim gospel values. There is no doubt that Francis discovered his interrelatedness to the cosmos through compassionate love by which he came to experience a unity of all things in Christ.

   How is God inviting you to experience what Francis experienced: that all of creation is God speaking to us?

2. Take your contemplative practice outdoors for at least one 20 minute period per day during lent. If it isn’t possible to go outdoors, situate yourself near a window or find some other non-human being to join with you in your time of prayer.

Surrender our problems to God

"God loves our weaknesses and he desires that his love will bring them into wholeness (that is, heal them). However, he wants and needs our trust to do it, and that is the greatest gift we give him when we sacrifice our weaknesses to him. For we would only reveal our weaknesses to someone we trusted. . . .

"Therefore, when we sacrifice our weaknesses to God telling him all about ourselves, we are paying him the greatest compliment. We are trusting him not to turn his back, laugh at us, or hurt us further as we make ourselves vulnerable to him. We are trusting his love.

"When we sacrifice our weaknesses to God we are also giving him something more--our attachment to our weaknesses." (69)

Dobson, Theodore E. Say But the Word: How the Lord's Supper Can Transform Your Life. Paulist Press, 1984.

12 Inner Intentions for 12 Days of Christmas

My friend NKE sent a link to Lynn Jericho's blog about the Twelve Days of Christmas, which she says is an opportunity to delve more deeply into ourselves. She calls this blog of thoughts and guided meditations, with questions to ponder or journal about: Inner Christmas 2009: The Twelve Inner Intentions.

You may sign up for reminders for these twelve messages. Also, you may look at the blog and go back to the other days.

I have not had the time to devote to this yet, because I am preoccupied with our "lost" puppy. Having a puppy is like having a baby to take care of. Still, I hope to sit with one or more of the days of meditations and ponder them in my heart--or in the future.


This is what Lynn says about making an "Inner Christmas Journal":

"Select and copy the text of the message to your text program. Make any changes to the font for your reading comfort. Create an Inner Christmas 2009 folder on your desktop.

"You can then use the message as a journal by inserting your own thoughts, responding to the questions, or adding questions of your own.

"Also you can insert lots of blank space after each thought, paragraph or question for your writing; print the document; write your thoughts in the blank spaces; and keep all the messages in a binder.

"I encourage you to return to the messages throughout the year to deepen your understanding of your soul and the ways you meet your soul's needs."

Weavings Magazine

Most of my friends at All Saints Episcopal Church are unaware of Weavings magazine, which I've subscribed to since 1995. It is published by the (United Methodist) Upper Room and is edited by John Mogabgab, whose wife is Marjorie Thompson, author of Soul Feast.

"Weavings journal is a quarterly publication that promotes a pattern of faithful living marked by prayer, community, and engagement. Such living, to which laity and clergy alike are called, embraces all those expressions of discipline and discipleship that mark the Christian's response to God's work of weaving together the torn fabric of life." Each publication is dedicated to a topic, such as "Security," "Lonely Places, and "Faithful Friends."

A list of back publications is here, so that you can get an idea of various subjects covered, as well as which past magazines may still be ordered.

If you want to subscribe go here.