Life-giving intentions serve as a kind of bridge between our lived reality and our values or ideals. Like a bridge, we’re on one side of a crossing; we can see the far side. Intentions offer solid support for steps forward.
Christine Hall’s Blog
Blackberries & Burning Bushes: The Holy in the Ordinary
Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries…
—From ‘Aurora Leigh’ Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
Centered in Spirit
Part 1 of 2 reflections on intentions for a committed spiritual life: A life centered in the Divine is like a planet in secure orbit, always oriented around the Spirit. Core intentions toward a life-centered in God will redirect us toward inner attentiveness, openness, trust, and letting go.
Better Uses of Solitude
Pondering solitude, I’ve remembered that “alone” isn’t the same as “lonely.” Solitude can be lonely, and through the pandemic we’ve learned far too much about suffering through loneliness. But this week, I’m engaging solitude more as intentional seclusion, a retreat, a withdrawal for re-collection.
Groaning our Prayers
Guttural, loud, gravelly deep in my throat, resonating in my chest and abdomen, emptying out a big belly breath to the dregs, sometimes a word or two but mostly beyond words—that’s a whole body groan. … I’ve been learning how to integrate groaning with prayer.
Rooted in Spirit
OVERNIGHT, AN EYE-CATCHING CURLY WILLOW TREE in my front yard crashed to the ground. I’m thankful nothing else was damaged. My family had marveled at its corkscrew branches, but harsh cold, rain, and then wind in the Pacific Northwest finally toppled it. We’ve since learned that Curly Willows have a really shallow root system.
A Contempt-Free Zone
LIKE AN UMBRELLA AGAINST A STORM, this holiday season I wish my home to be a contempt-free zone. Over the feasting, covering evenings with friends and a glass of wine, shielding family Zoom conversations… I’d like us out of the acid fall of biting, caustic words about “others.”
This I Know Experimentally
by Christine Hall “Thus, when God doth work who shall prevent it? And this I knew experimentally." —George Fox, 1647 (Quaker) WHAT DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE HOLY? What’s unshakeable because you’ve lived it, felt it in your bones? How did you come to trust...
Ears to Hear, Eyes to See
Photo: Christine Hall By Christine Hall In this day when the burdens of humanitypress so heavily upon usI would begin not first with techniques of servicebut with the most "Serious Call to a Devout Life,"a life of such humble obedience to the Inner Voiceas we have...
All Things New: Online Retreats Too
By Christine Hall IT WAS A HOLY EXPERIMENT. In May we asked, ‘How might a full, five-day retreat happen ONLINE for the Way of the Spirit program I direct?’ It’s thrilling and deeply gratifying to report that the May retreat conveyed and enfolded us with the same Life...
Spiritual Facilitation Online
WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING NEW WAYS OF CONNECTING for worship and mutual support online. Some gatherings are more satisfying than others. What helps? This post speaks to facilitators of small group sessions for spiritual encouragement and growth—retreats, spiritual...
