Mark Katrick faith column: Here are 5 not-too-spicy devotionals to order from faith menu
“How can I help you?”
“I would like to place an order for pickup.”
“What would you like?”
“I would like the mixed vegetables with white rice, no mushrooms, add tofu and a small egg drop soup.”
“OK. See you in about 10 minutes.”
This is the conversation I have on a biweekly basis, with my favorite Chinese restaurant.
It’s the perfect carryout scenario for one of my favorite dishes. And there’s more than enough for Saturday-evening supper and Sunday after-church dinner.
However, as with anything that’s “too good to be true,” there’s an occasional glitch. Every once in a while, when I get home with my tofu mixed veggies and take the first bite, it’s steaming hot spicy. And I don't do spicy!
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So, I end up having to go back and pick up my replacement order without the spices! Little did I know and only just recently found out is that I should have been ordering the mixed vegetable delight, off the menu.
When you’re ordering up spiritual food for the day, what’s on the menu? The church that I’m serving, Brighton Presbyterian, favors the devotional “Our Daily Bread.” Our motto is plain and simple: “Helping you connect with God. Every day. Every way.”
My everyday connections with God and God’s people are bolstered by the “Richard Rohr Daily Meditation” and the “Henri Nouwen Society’s Daily Meditation.” The heart-to-hearts with these two contemplatives, one from the present and one from the past, spice up my faith journey without burning up my tongue.
These God-inspired words travel well. I regularly carry them with me to worship services, on pastoral visits and during spiritual direction. Going without them is like skipping breakfast. You run out of gas by mid-morning.
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If you’re anticipating I’m about to suggest you start your days with contemplations and meditations, we’ve have already made a spiritual connection. If you would like to connect with Rohr, I would highly recommend reading “Falling Upward, a Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life” and with Nouwen, reflecting on “You Are the Beloved.”
In Nouwen’s “365 Daily Readings and Meditations for Spiritual Living,” you will find “a deeper awareness of your identity as the beloved of God.” Or as author Brene Brown puts it, “Henri’s timeless, loving words and quiet prayers will live forever in your heart.”
Mark Katrick is a pastor and spiritual guide.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mark Katrick: 5 good devotionals to spice up your faith journey