Three Strands Ministries

11/11/2025

Richard Rohr

10/29/2025

.
Sometimes we are carrying things that feel too heavy.
Heavy for our minds…
our souls…
our bodies…
our hearts.

In those moments of recognizing a heavy burden for which you have no words in prayer anymore, think about placing

…that situation
… that nation or people group
… that family member

… into the open palms of your hands. 🤲🏻

Then simply hold that burden up to the light and the love of God. Allow your tears to be the prayer. And remember that when we run out of words, the Holy Spirit prays and intercedes for us.

10/28/2025

My creative mess!
(Bless my dear husband and daughter for putting up with this for days and days!!)

Learning to lean into creativity with God …

10/23/2025

10/19/2025

.
My spiritual director has been encouraging me to spend time with God through creative pursuits.

This afternoon I had some time and I finally tried “found poetry” using words and phrases cut from magazines and older books.

I will take some time with God in prayer with the words and see what further insights the Spirit might offer.

Do you engage with God creatively?

Blessings, friends! 💖

09/29/2025

.
God,

Is it prayer
When I walk through woods
And breathe deeply of the fresh air and feel my heart full of gratitude
For the gift of life?

God,
Is it prayer
When I stroke my doggy’s proffered belly,
On the back deck basking in early autumn sunshine,
And feel my heart full with love for a beautiful, sentient being
Who depends on me?

God,
Is it prayer
When I no longer have words to speak
Over the brokenheartedness of the world
And my heart fills with sadness and my eyes with tears?

God,
Is it prayer
To simply lift those I love,
Placing them in your capable hands,
Or seeing them surrounded by the light of your glory,
Or gently held by Jesus in an embrace
Meant to soothe their pain?

God,

It is prayer.
All of it.

You, in whom we love and move and have our being,
How can it not be?

09/27/2025

.
I felt a little heart-bruised this week with some things that felt heavy. As I walked along the trail, lost in some negative thoughts, suddenly these bright red leaves kept catching my eye.

I could hear the whisper of the Spirit ….

“Notice”

And so I did.

I noticed the feelings underneath my thoughts.

I noticed the red leaves.

Then I noticed how they reminded me of Moses’ experience of the burning 🔥 bush.

It seemed as though God was trying to redirect my attention.

“Yes, things feel a bit heavy… but I am here with you…”

I smiled.

And I turned aside from my own thoughts and directed my gaze toward the One who holds us in our hardships.

Perhaps you sense an invitation to pause and
to notice.

If you wish, take a few breaths and become aware of God’s presence with you.
Ask God to help you notice what needs to be tended to.
Bring whatever you notice, within or without, to God in conversation.

Blessings, friends.

🙏

09/16/2025

.
My work space for the day was Dove House, a beautiful stone house on the property of Crieff Hills Retreat Center.

I was “host” to several hard-working people who needed space and quiet to rest their busy minds and hearts, as they all pour into others in deep ways in daily life.

If you are someone who needs a day of respite for your soul, please go to the Crieff Hills website and check out their Quiet Days at Dove House.

What a gift it is!

✨Bonus was my visit to see the chickens 🐓 🐓on my way out. 😉

09/16/2025

.
God
of the beginnings
and the endings,

thank you for your faithful presence.

May I know your hope and peace today in whatever I face.

Amen

09/05/2025

.
Such delight this afternoon in a small creative exercise led by a wonderful spiritual director from Anam Cara Ministries.

Blackout poetry:
Random book page, torn from an old book.
Soft gaze as you peruse the page, noticing which words stand out.
Use a marker to black out the rest of the lines of text and you are left with a piece of poetry!

I will definitely be using this creative practice with some small group time this fall!

08/22/2025

.
I don’t just think it… I know you make God happy!

You are a gift to this world! You and your beautiful heart. 💗

From Field Notes for the Wilderness by Sarah Bessey.

08/04/2025

.
Lectio divina this morning on my back yard deck with my coffee, bird sounds all around.

I love the way that The Message puts verse 3:
“Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar
and watch for fire to descend.”

•What pieces of your life do you willingly lay on the altar?
•Are there some areas of your life that you feel more hesitant about offering to God?

Spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to reveal anything about that hesitancy that you feel.