Let prayer be the key of the morning and the bolt at night. Philip Henry … [Read more...]
Six Benefits of Wisdom
This summer I hear Wisdom calling me. It is as if wisdom has been inviting me to tea. I feel her tug to draw closer and get to know her better. So I have been reading, asking, searching, staying open and surprisingly quiet, trying to hear her lessons. Last June we had a good discussion on this blog about wisdom. So I thought I would share one dimension of wisdom I have been exploring and get your thoughts about the benefits of building wisdom in our lives. One aspect of learning more about wisdom is pondering the benefits. Why should we try to grow in God’s wisdom? What does the Bible teach us about this? Here is what I have discovered so far. Spending time with Lady Wisdom invites the following: Communion with God. Contemplation. Proverbs 2: 5 - then you will understand the fear of the Lord. Fear in this sentence does not mean the fright/flight human reaction but implies the awe-inspiring, can’t-quite-comprehend-it-all-wonder of God. Contrast – Proverbs 2: 5 – find … [Read more...]
Spiritual Muscle Memory
The Network of Bible StoryTellers Festival continues to teach me even now at home. I was amazed at how they learned to tell the stories – striving for 75% or more accuracy in the words they use and 95% accurate in the content of the story. One method they taught us to learn the stories was to add gestures; the same one each time to illustrate a point. For example, moving arms each time to point that Jesus moved from one place to another or to look up when looking at a mountain. Adding movement to the story creates muscle memory. Muscle memory is simply the process by which we consolidate a specific motor task into memory through repetition. Whatever the habit or movement worked on becomes so natural, it doesn’t need much conscious effort. The whole concept of muscle memory fascinates me and encourages me that maybe I can internalize long, more complex stories of the Bible. Though practice and repetition, my body helps me remember the words and action. How marvelous is … [Read more...]
Who Do You Say I Am? – Lectio Divina
But who do you say that I am? Matthew 16: 15 Lord I love sitting with your questions. My ego wants to jump in and give the proper and correct answer. Like a kid in school waving her hand, “Oh – Oh I know that one! Call on me, Master!” But today, I hold your question – “Who do you say I am?” Like Simon Peter I nod quietly – You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God. I believe that. I know that. I long to live each day with those words on my lips. And Lord, you are so much more too. More than I can find the words to describe or the image to imagine. You are Shepherd. You are Rock. You are Creator. You are Father. You are Potter. You are Defender. You are Magnificent. You are. You are. You are God. … [Read more...]
Keep our Questions Alive – Quote of the Week
It seems to me Lord that we search much too desperately for answers, when a good question holds as much grace as an answer. Jesus, you are the Great Questioner. Keep our questions alive, that we may always be seekers rather than settlers. Guard us well from the sin of settling in with our answers hugged to our breasts. Make of us a wondering, far-sighted, questioning, restless people And give us the feet of pilgrims on this journey unfinished. ~~Macrina Wiederkehr … [Read more...]
The Birth of a Book – An Advent Devotional
The birth of a book is a reason to celebrate for a writer. Look what arrived in the mail the other day from Barbour Publishing - Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - An Advent Devotional - written by of all people - me. Holding a book that you write is a humbling, exciting, scary, awesome experience all bundled up into one gigantic YIPPEE! Late last fall I woke up early, often 5 am, prayed for help and wisdom and pecked away on the keyboard on this project. Then months go by and you almost forget about it when it magically appears and brightens your day. I am giddy today! Now my prayer is that its words brighten the Advent season for all who read it. The book is available on Amazon and I am sure other sites. There are 28 devotions, plus quotations, prayers and practical tips for the Christmas season. I know some of you write reviews and I would appreciate any book reviews and passing the word around promoting it. I know I am jumping too far ahead on the calendar … [Read more...]
Marinating in the Scriptures
Marinate. Marinate means to seep, rest in, soak in the elements, to leave time to reflect. This word reentered my heart when I attended the Network of Bible StoryTellers Festival Gathering a few weeks ago. In order to learn the bible story they are sharing, the teller gives time for the story to marinate within them. Most tellers commented that learning the story wasn’t a process of memorization, but the story became a part of them, transforming them forever. They marinated in the story. How powerful is that? God’s living Word taking root deep within us, soaking every cell and element of this human body and spirit, then blossoming outward for others to see and hear. And when you marinate, you absorb the taste, the spices and all the wonderfulness of what infuses your soul. God’s characteristics enveloping us. We become the story. Dr. Leonard Sweet wrote: "The more you marinate your mind and soak your soul in the Scriptures, the more the Word becomes your … [Read more...]
Irrevocable Gifts and Calling – Lectio Divina
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Roman 11: 29 Lord this verse stopped me cold this morning. Irrevocable? You mean the gifts you have given me are final, unchangeable? The calling I have experienced from you – they are irreversible and fixed forever in your kingdom. I can’t quit? I can’t stamp them with “return to Sender?” I can’t deny them? In your compassionate benevolence, you give everyone gifts. What an adventure life becomes to discover your hidden treasures and to take them into your world. You call each of us in unique and matchless directions. Others need us to answer that call permanently etched onto our hearts by your fingers and love. Guess this means you can’t and won’t take these gifts and vocation back either. You have deeply and eternally wired us as you designed us. Irrevocable – are your gifts. Irrevocable – is your calling. Irrevocable – is your love. … [Read more...]