On February 23rd I attended a women’s retreat at a local church. The title of this retreat was The Three Great Lenten Disciplines: Fasting, Almsgiving and Prayer. Mother Melania from Holy Assumption Monastery in Calistoga, California was the speaker. This retreat was very much a blessing to me. I thought I’d take the time to… Continue reading Women’s Retreat Notes-Lenten Disciplines
Tag: prayer
Pivot Prayers
Good Afternoon, my joys! As I mentioned in my last post I wanted to come back and share with you about this term “pivot prayers”. To do so I need to back up a few years and share with you about a poster I named the Pivot Poster. It has been many years since I… Continue reading Pivot Prayers
5 Ways to Force Yourself Out of the Doldrums
Do you ever feel stuck? Stuck in the doldrums? I like to use this word but what does this word even mean? Did you know that “doldrum” is a colloquial expression derived from historical maritime usage? In maritime usage it is the place in the ocean affected by low pressure in an area around the… Continue reading 5 Ways to Force Yourself Out of the Doldrums
Maxim Week 29
Welcome to Maxim Monday, week 29: Be grateful in all things! Fr. Thomas Hopko did not expound on this maxim. I think it is pretty self-explanatory. Giving thanks is commanded of us in scripture time and time again. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of… Continue reading Maxim Week 29
The Aim of Love
One day as I was culling emails I came across an email from my godmother. She sent this little note to all her god-daughters. It is a quote from a book and a wonderful reminder to us all that above all love is the answer and love is what truly brings us joy. 11/21/14Dear Goddaughters,I… Continue reading The Aim of Love
Praying Scripture
A few years ago, I watched a Christian movie that had a pretty profound affect on me. It was called “War Room”. The bottom line of this movie is about prayer and how prayer can change things. Storyline aside, I believe that that sentiment is very real and true. I really began to work harder… Continue reading Praying Scripture
Maxim Week 8
Addendum: I've had to do some research and corrections of the 55 Maxims list due to finding 2 different versions floating around. Check out this post that explains. #8 is actually "Keep the Church's Fasting rules." and #9 is "Spend time in silence every day." I've moved #8 to Week 7 post. On this Maxim… Continue reading Maxim Week 8
Maxim Week 5
Have a short prayer that you constantly repeat when your mind is not occupied with other things. This short prayer could simply be “Lord have mercy” or “Lord Jesus Christ have mercy.” The person just might say “Jesus.” A person might say “God,” but just some short prayer that fills the mind when the mind… Continue reading Maxim Week 5
Maxim Week 3
Greetings on this Holy Monday. Today is week three of Maxim Mondays and Fr. Thomas Hopko's advice is: "Have a keepable rule of prayer that you do by discipline. You can’t just pray when you feel like it. You have to pray by discipline, the times of day where you would remember God and say… Continue reading Maxim Week 3
The Last Beatitude
This morning as I was doing some quiet, self-reflection I was reading a book that talked about using the Sermon on the Mount to help reflect on ones life. To reflect on what we might need to change in our lives to bring us closer to God, to grow spiritually. In the Eastern Orthodox Tradition… Continue reading The Last Beatitude
Kindler of Joy! 