For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world… Lord, there isn’t much more I can say after reading, pondering, holding these words near my heart. You just didn’t love the world – you SO loved the world. You didn’t just give us your son – he was your ONLY son. Staggering sacrifice. Amazing love. You gave us your all in order to give us even more – eternal life with you. Forgive my time of neglect, anger and doubt. Thank you for your mercy and grace for the times I whine, beg, and bargain. Gratitude surrounds my heart for your compassion, understanding and acceptance of my wandering ways. You so loved the world. You so loved each of us. You so loved insignificant wisp of breath and blip of time – me. You, who is love, gave us love so we can love with you forever. … [Read more...]
Loving Our Neighbors – Quote – Frederick Buechner
Loving our neighbors - What does this mean? If we are to love our neighbors, before doing anything else we must see our neighbors. With our imagination as well as our eyes, that is to say like artists, we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Here it is love that is the frame we see them in. -Frederick Buechner … [Read more...]
How to Listen in Prayer
Many of us want to hear God better. We deeply desire to shake the water out of our ears and listen in prayer more intently. There are no tricks or magic methods to automatically open the passage to God, but I have learned a few ways that help me create a quiet space for him. Most of the time the ways hush and silent myself and my inner chatting in order to hear what he has been saying to me all along. 1. First, ask God to help you hear him better. Often we focus on our frustration of not hearing him or prefer to whine and complain about his absence instead of simply asking for his voice. 2. Practice Stillness – oh, so hard, isn’t it? A recent report told that some people preferred an electrical shock over sitting still for 15 minutes!! “People consistently said that the short thinking period was not enjoyable and they found it difficult to concentrate. Most people said they’d rather be listening to music or using their smartphones.” We need to retrain ourselves for quiet … [Read more...]
God’s Artistry in Autumn – Thoughts and 9 Quotes
The colors drew my eyes to the display in the corner of the store. What is it about fall colors that attract us? I want the summer to linger on longer, yet the coziness, warmth and eye delight of burnt oranges, mellow yellows, deep reds and crisp browns invite my heart into autumn. Part of me screams to stop the calendar from turning from August to September, yet when I saw those autumn colors my will to fight this change flutter away like the leaves will also soon do. God is quite an artist this time of year. His hues hints of hope and a purpose to the changes we often struggle with on our path. I used to fight fall, dreading the coming winter. Now in the second half of life, I am learning to embrace its beauty as part of the transforming process and rhythm of life. I found some neat quotes about fall to share with you today: Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." Albert Camus "Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time … [Read more...]
Why Pray? Quote by C. S. Lewis
Why pray? Why do you pray? How does prayer affect your life? These thought-provoking questions help us dig deeper into the purpose of prayer in our live. Think about it. Ponder the quote below from C. S. Lewis about why we pray. Journal your reasons for prayer. Ask others and engage in a conversation about prayer. I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God, it changes me. -C.S. Lewis What do you think as you read this quote? Certain words jump out to me and I love the passion in the first line about "because I can't help myself." I know what he means but often my prayer life isn't at that level of humble thirst for God. The word "flow" touches me. The concept of prayer flowing freely between this tiny human spirit and the Holy Spirit of God - all the time, in all circumstances - inspires me to want that depth of prayer in my life. And that prayer … [Read more...]
Poems to Ponder
So? – A Poem to Ponder So you aren’t Tolstoy or St. Francis Or even a well-known singer Of popular songs and will never read Greek or speak French fluently, Will never see something no one else Has seen before through a lens Or with the naked eye. You’ve been given just the one life in this world that matters And upon which every other life Somehow depends as long as you live, and also given the costly gifts of hunger, Choice, and pain with which to raise A modest shrine to meaning. Leonard Nathan And as another poet, Mary Oliver wrote: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” … [Read more...]
When My Soul is Startled
Heavy silence draped the normally chatty room. My Weight Watcher leader shared a list of what we shared as a group about the negative thoughts we experienced about managing our weight. We all listened with sad hearts to the damaging self-talk we splatter on ourselves. I will never lose weight. This is just too hard. Losing weight takes too much time. The leader then asked us to switch the statements to positive sayings: Slow but steady will win the battle. Starting new habits is hard but healthier. I am worth it. That last one startled my soul. “You are worth it, aren’t you?” she said. Silence again hung like a damp dirty rag on each person. The hesitation to answer that question said it all. None of us felt worthy of putting ourselves first in this war for better health. None of us felt good enough to spend the time, money and effort for new habits. None us were felt valuable or special enough. Not enough. Not good enough. Not worthy of love. The … [Read more...]
Lord, I Don’t Want to Be a Stumbling Block – Lectio Divina
“You are a stumbling block to me: for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Matthew 16: 23b Lord, I don’t want to be a stumbling block to you. But my human eyes only see human things. My spiritual eyes squint to the blurry images before me. I can barely make out my path. My hope seems out of reach. My final destination beyond veiled passages. My sight fails me; faith is the only way to clear my vision. Help me see others through your eyes of love. Free my view from the heavy shackles of earth and lift my eyes towards heaven. I don’t want to stand in your way but only in your shadow; not as an obstacle, but as an opening for your love to shine through. Touch my eyes, my heart, my soul, Lord and help me see. … [Read more...]