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My Writing Has MOVED!
My writing has evolved into a weekly email on substack called "the Porch" - a weekly email from aslowjourney for your whole journey. You can find it by clicking the button below and subscribe to receive the weekly email straight to your inbox. See you on the porch!
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Contemplative Prayer: an introduction
"This is how you pray continually, not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so...
shelisloterbeek
Aug 15, 20234 min read
4am Contemplative Prayer
I'm an early riser, but some days I think we're just meant to wake up earlier. This morning, I felt like the universe must have something...
shelisloterbeek
Aug 11, 20233 min read
Six Ways to Invite Peace
Most of us live in a pretty fast-paced environment on a daily basis. Add the current political / cultural climate to the busyness of...
shelisloterbeek
May 8, 20235 min read
Uncovering Layers: Becoming the Beloved
As I laid on the table at physical therapy she said the words "You might not be able to do that ever again." Tears came to my eyes and I...
shelisloterbeek
Feb 3, 20233 min read
A Message for the World
This quote drew my attention the other day: "Here is one way to look at yourself through spiritual eyes: you are a message. When you...
shelisloterbeek
Jan 10, 20232 min read
A New Word for the Year
Some years are more surprising than others and for me this one was particularly remarkable. When 2022 began in Phoenix, Arizona I had no...
shelisloterbeek
Jan 1, 20233 min read
Welcoming Pain as a Guide
Setting the scene: Typing these words as I lay on an ice pack. So we're moving. Across the country. And I'm not sure how it happened,...
shelisloterbeek
Sep 17, 20223 min read
An Empathetic Witness
At a retreat recently with Beth Taulman Miller, she said these two words that have traveled with me in the last few weeks. The two words...
shelisloterbeek
May 9, 20222 min read
Cultivating Confidence - Becoming the Beloved
This one is for most of the people I’ve come across in the last few months. For those who say “I could never do that”. For the one afraid...
shelisloterbeek
Feb 16, 20224 min read
Cultivating a Listening Life
I recently had the privilege of leading a workshop at the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona's conference "The Contemplative Way". It...
shelisloterbeek
Feb 9, 20221 min read
Word for the Year: Reflection & Anticipation
Like a lot of people, I choose a word, or usually more like a word chooses me for the year. There's nothing magical about the word, or...
shelisloterbeek
Dec 30, 20213 min read
Lessons in Writing an Icon and Contemplating Mary
There are a few things on my bucket list - and learning how to paint an icon was one of them. I’ve been particularly drawn to them over...
shelisloterbeek
Dec 19, 20214 min read
Silencing the Inner Critic
Once upon a time there was this girl who had a difficult time accepting criticism or critique of any kind. She had this voice inside her...
shelisloterbeek
Oct 30, 20215 min read
Holding All the Falling
"The leaves fall, fall as from far, Like distant gardens withered in the heavens; They fall with slow and lingering descent. And in the...
shelisloterbeek
Sep 27, 20212 min read
Divine Presence - in the learning and unlearning
A memory of learning to ride my bike came to me this morning. I remembered my purple hand-me-down bike with the white plastic woven...
shelisloterbeek
Aug 19, 20212 min read
My Whole Life Toward Heaven
Nearly every morning I sit with the sun. I watch it as it brings light to the space where I reside. I am not unaware that it has already...
shelisloterbeek
Jun 13, 20212 min read
What if?
What if? The question of the imagination. I've had people in my life tell me they don't have an imagination. However, I think if a person...
shelisloterbeek
May 30, 20213 min read
Death Dance
Look. Gaze. Really, for an entire minute. Or more. Now closer. What do you see? Here is what has been creating itself inside of me in...
shelisloterbeek
Apr 30, 20211 min read
literally, experiencing God
I have an office space that I share with therapists (they're great - so if you're looking for one and local, let me know) and every other...
shelisloterbeek
Apr 18, 20212 min read
The Cross in my Neighborhood
I honestly don't remember the first time I walked the stations of the cross. I know it was probably only a few years ago, but I don't...
shelisloterbeek
Apr 2, 20213 min read
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