Wholly Holy
April 12, 2026
Wholly Holy: The Spirited Heart
The heart beats about 100,000 times daily, and as many at 3.5 billion times in a lifetime. This small muscle pumps blood throughout your body about 70 gallons per hour and about 1,680 gallons per day. What a miracle! But the heart is not responsible only for physical work.
Science has demonstrated that through a network of neurons within the heart it also functions as a “brain” which communicates with the brain and nervous system, immune system, hormonal system and most of the body’s major organs. Therefore, the activity of the heart influences our emotions, mental states and overall health. It has also been shown to affect our experiences related to spirituality such as perceptions, intuition, beauty, unity and oneness, to name a few. Negative emotions, negative mental states, unhealthy practices and lack of spiritual experiences all affect the heart negatively. The reverse is also true: positive emotions, mental states, healthy practices and spiritual experiences affect the heart positively. Everything is related!
The amazing thing is that practicing having positive emotions, positive thinking, healthy habits and attention to spiritual experiences directs the heart to function coherently with your whole self! Let the practicing start with the breath: inhale deeply, exhale completely, breathing rhythmically and with full awareness several times daily. Add an attitude of gratitude. Pay attention to your thoughts. Open your heart to spirit.
“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Romans 5:5
April 5, 2026
Wholly Holy: What Nourishment Do You Choose?
Many of us probably have a pretty good idea what is healthy to eat, and what is not. Knowing the importance of healthy eating, why do we reach for the chips or the ice cream when we’re really not hungry? Is it just because they taste good, or from boredom? Or might it be that there is some anxiety that needs to be soothed … or some emptiness that needs to be filled … or some sorrow that needs comfort … some lack of sweetness that begs for sugar, or some discontent that yearns to be satisfied?
Eating consciously is one way of living consciously. When we are not making conscious choices in something so nourishing as healthy food, how consciously are we making other choices? How conscious am I of what I really want or need, what I really yearn for? What is it in me that really needs soothing, or comfort or satisfaction? During Lent and the Easter season, we learn that Jesus was very much aware of what he was doing, and what he was facing. On the day of Passover, he was clear about his intention with the Passover meal (which was comprised of healthy foods according to the Jewish law), and he was clear about what lay ahead: a path that he willingly chose, and was able to do so, because he turned to his Father in prayer and trust. Perhaps when we’re making our choices, we can turn to the Father in prayer and trust.
“Happy those who trust in you, O Lord.” Psalm 83:13
March 29, 2026
“The more aware you are of your body, thoughts, emotions and connection to God, the more freedom of choice you have, and the more awareness of your wholeness and holiness.”
The above is the first thought in a series entitled “Wholly Holy” which will provide reflections on a variety of topics: the health of your mind, body, or emotions, spirituality, facing uncertainty, dealing with loss or grief, life challenges or transitions, parenting, and many others, as well as reflections on the feast days of the year and the preparation for them. Here is the first reflection:
Your body is considered to be the most complex entity in the universe: a marvelous machine of various cells, systems and functions all intimately connected and entirely infused with Spirit. Everything you think, say, do, and all of your emotions have an effect on every part of your body. So, get to know it. Take time, even if for just a few minutes a day, to become aware of, learn from, and thank God for the whole of your amazing body.
“Lord, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139
