Blog: Here & Now Lent 2023
Receive a daily blog post from Ash Wednesday until Easter to support your contemplation for Lent 2023.
A CONTEMPLATIVE’S JOURNEY.
Selah Director Emeritus, Selah Center
Wellbeing Educator
Spiritual Director/Deep Listener
Program Director, Rolling Ridge Retreat Center
North Andover, Massachusetts
I am reminded the incarnation of Jesus springs,
not from obligation or requirement,
but from interest.
Jesus interested in being with us.
This creates wide pause for me.
Somehow that feels important for me to recognize and ponder.
Offering presence and interaction from obligation or requirement
sheds duty-light on relationship.
A turning toward because of must or have to.
Consequently, I feel my heart turning to take ten paces
in the other direction.
Interest sheds new light.
Interest says I want to.
I choose.
Interest speaks of initiative, of response.
Interest accents authenticity.
Interest softens my edges and widens my heart.
I watch my guard drop a bit more.
I find my own heart’s curiosity warmly stirred.
I even feel lightness in my attracted step.
Jesus, my ever-interested Gift,
your love seeps gently.
Here is my heart and hand,
let us walk together today
with interest.
JOHN KIEMELE
John Kiemele is a well-being educator and spiritual director who currently companions individuals, teaches various seminars and lifestyle classes, leads contemplative retreats, and also serves as Program Director at Rolling Ridge Retreat Center. With a focus on contemplative soul care, John gratefully walks alongside individuals, small groups, classrooms, and congregations. Recognizing how intentional pausing and listening unlocks life, John strives to engage the whole person – body, mind, soul – in the lifelong process of living well. John received his Ph.D. in education/spirituality from the Talbot School of Theology, with post-doctoral emphases in Spiritual Direction, Mindful Self-Compassion, the Enneagram Spectrum, and Wellness Coaching.
Receive a daily blog post from Ash Wednesday until Easter to support your contemplation for Lent 2023.
An online contemplative gathering that meets for 1 hour every Friday at 10am. It is free for anyone anytime. Register to receive the link.
An online contemplative gathering that meets for 1 hour every Friday at 10am. It is free for anyone anytime. Register to receive the link.
Gig-Harbor Gathering Hub located in Gig-Harbor, WA: Gathering Hubs facilitate in-person contemplative community, intended to cultivate a space to reawaken our deeper presence with God, experience contemplative practices together, share […]
An online contemplative gathering that meets for 1 hour every Friday at 10am. It is free for anyone anytime. Register to receive the link.
An online contemplative gathering that meets for 1 hour every Friday at 10am. It is free for anyone anytime. Register to receive the link.
An online contemplative gathering that meets for 1 hour every Friday at 10am. It is free for anyone anytime. Register to receive the link.
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P.O. Box 2724
Gig Harbor, WA 98335