What books am I reading right now? One of my blogger friends, Lisa, shares this each month and I usually find a good book to add to my stack to read from her list – check out her books. I did find these great sayings about reading too from the Reading Room’s facebook page: Here what’s calling me this month: Chasing Francis – by Ian Morgan Cron. Lessons from St Francis to apply to today’s Christian walk that can be filled with doubt. Essentialism – By Greg McKeown – Lesson in pursuing less in life. I know I need help – once again – is subtracting, not adding to my to-do list. How do I pick what is essential in life? Hopefully this book will give me some ideas. No Problem – An Inner Workshop – By Robert Wicks. I love his writing and this words always make me think. In the past I have underlined so many passages in his books. This one is about turning the next corner in spiritual life. The New Spiritual Exercises – By Louis Savary. One of my spiritual … [Read more...]
Instructions for Breaking Out of Spiritual Prison
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Acts 12: 6-10 Lord, open my eyes and heart to your word this week. The angel came to Peter and woke him up. The angel released Peter’s … [Read more...]
Simplicity Prayer – Quote of the Week
Teacher of Simplicity, who lifts us as we let go, Use this silence to focus our intention on each breath. Empty us of what is no longer useful and fill us with unique energies that bring healing to our world. Show us the ways we overextend ourselves taking on more than we can manage. Guide us in living more simply, releasing everything we hold too tightly so that we can carry more compassion. Send us floating through this day reminded that each moment has it’s own wholeness. Amen Jan Salbert … [Read more...]
4 ½ Reasons Why I Love to Travel
I love to travel. I grew up in a family that traveled as we took many exciting adventures when I was young. My hubby and I discussed travel with two friends when we were in our first couple of years of marriage. The other couple, hard working and very seriously, told us they planned to pay off their mortgage and work on their careers before they did any travel. Later that summer we turned down a trip to Germany due to a possible job change. The new job never materialized and we missed a wonderful opportunity. We decided right then to always fully evaluate trip possibilities – no regrets. As a couple we would rather have memories with a mortgage than no mortgage and no trip memories. Travel took a higher value for us from that year on (not the highest, God holds that place in our lives, then our family next). I love to travel. Here are my 4½ reasons why: Travel is mind expanding. I love to learn and see new sites and explore ways of thinking. Attentive travel helps us … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk
Pull up your chair. Fill your cup with your favorite flavored coffee or herbed tea, and let’s talk. I love the interaction between us in the comment section of this blog and in emails. I know it helps us get better acquainted and I am richer and very blessed by each word. I would like to occasionally have a broader conversation on a topic here by presenting a couple of questions for your reaction, insight, experience and thoughts. I hope we all can learn from these conversations. Lately, the word “wisdom” has been inviting me to tea. I hear her call. I see her everywhere. I feel her tug to draw closer. You may laugh since my last name is Wise, but I think defining wisdom is hard. I want to find a clear, usable description of Wisdom and to know more about her. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Proverbs 4: 5 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, Proverbs 3: 13 Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; … [Read more...]
The Hairs on my Head – Lectio Divina
“And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” Matthew 10: 30 One. Two. Three. Rats, I miscounted or did I already count that one? Lord you amaze me. You tell me you know the exact the number of hairs on my head at any given moment. You carefully watch over all of your loved ones. And we are all your loved ones. You watch each sparrow throughout the world. Each grain of sand. Every star in the universe. You have ordered it all within your grasp. You know. You know. Why do I let fear overwhelm me when you see to such minute details? Why does the color of my roots peeking through preoccupy me when you cherish the individual shaft of hair? Why do I think you have left me, can’t hear me, or have forgotten me – when you are so close to know that exact number? You, amazing God, who could scoop all of the oceans up in the palm of your hand, sees to such details such as numbering my hair. You paint the black and white strips on the dragonfly in my … [Read more...]
Playing With God – Quotes of the Week
“I, God, am your playmate. I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways for I have chosen you.” Mechtild of Magdeburg ********************************************** “O God, that we might dance with you, that we might rise from heavy ground and play with you around around. May we let go Of sterile fear And jump as freely As young deer. O God, That we might trust Your grace And leap with joy In your great embrace.” Edwina Gateley … [Read more...]
What is the Horn of Salvation? – Remember the Horn!
In my morning devotionals, I have been slowly savoring the psalms. This morning I enjoyed the taste of Psalm 18 until I stumbled at the phrase “the horn of salvation.” mmm, I wonder what that means? I have learned if a word or phrase tickles my spirit to laugh and learn its message. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18: 2 (NIV) I found that expression in two other locations in my NIV Study Bible. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. 2 Samuel 22:3 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:69 The horn of salvation describes God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New. The Luke reading is where Zechariah is praising God as our Redeemer and Savior. All the verses tell us of an important attribute of God. Several commentaries opened the meaning of this phrase. I thought … [Read more...]