For the apparent disappearance of many plants and animals, autumn is often seen as an end. But the seasons are part of a continuum, a revolving process of birth, death, and renewal — and if such could be said to have any beginning or end, then fall could just as well be viewed as a beginning. Like the counterweight on a flywheel, autumn provides the inertia to turn the annual cycle over.PETER J. MARCHAND … [Read more...]
Listen to Your Vocabulary
Native American folklore tells the story of the creation of the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. The lakes were formed when God laid his hands on the land to bless it. His fingers left imprints that filled with water, hence the name “Finger Lakes." Isn't that a beautiful story? I had to laugh, though, since there are 11 fingers in the Finger Lakes. mmm, that gives us a new image of God! Many of us have heard stories of our beginnings. I was always told my parents - already bringing up two boys, ages 6 and 8 - decided to try one more time for a girl. Me! This story always made me feel wanted and loved. A spiritual director once told me, "Listen to your vocabulary. It reveals what you deeply think about yourself and others." This reminds not just to listen, but to pay attention carefully to the language I use to describe, understand and explain things in life. Listen to the words you use. Listen to your … [Read more...]
Amazing Autumn Artistry
God the Creator displayed his multicolored masterpieces last weekend for my hubby and me as we traveled in update New York. We arrived at the perfect fall foliage point. What a feast for the eyes and the heart. The hills wrapped themselves with a warm sweater of fall shades. Everywhere we looked we drank in spicy muddy browns, bright mustard yellows, rich ruddy reds and spikes of exploding oranges. I asked God why. Why take the time to create such an amazing autumn artistry? God didn't have to present such a wonderful show. God could have skipped the colors and dashed from green to bare in an instant. But God chose to mesmerize us with his heavenly hues. God the Artist opted to paint. [contact-form][contact-field label="Name" type="name" required="true" /][contact-field label="Email" type="email" required="true" /][contact-field label="Website" type="url" /][contact-field label="Message" type="textarea" /][/contact-form] I studied these … [Read more...]
Child of God – Quote of the Week
"God has placed his hand on your shoulder and said, "You're something special."Untethered by time, he sees us all. In fact he saw us before we were born.And he loves what he sees. Flooded by emotion. Overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one and say," You are my child. I love you dearly."And he loves us forever. Should you ever turn from him and walk away, he has already provided a way back. Nothing can separate you from his love, If you anchor these truths firmly in your heart, you will be ready for what ever you may encounter on the road ahead.So let the journey begin!" Max Lucado … [Read more...]
A Peek into God’s Creativity
God's creativity brings me into his wonder and awe. I love God's imaginative creativity. When I watched this video last week, I was caught up once again in wonder and awe of his holy imagination and inventiveness. Take a moment to enjoy God's inspiring ingenuity. Can you see the octopus in the beginning? I had trouble uploading the video but go to this web page and you can see it. Seeing the world through the lenses of wonder helps us see God's creativity. I wrote more about God's wonder on this post. What wonder has God shown you lately? … [Read more...]
If You Like to Journal, You Will Love Journibles
I love journals. I have been writing in journals most of my adult life. I come from a family of women who love to write long hand reflections of their lives. I have mentioned on this blog in the past my GreatAunt Anna's diaries - what treasure they are for me. On a neat website, the Internet Cafe Devotions, I read about a new type of journal - Journible. Their website is here. I knew I had to order one. The book I ordered arrived over the weekend. I love it. What is a journible? This is a beautifully bound, hardback, blank (well mostly) lined journal where you are prompted to write out a book of the Bible. See how they created the name? They fused the word journal with word Bible. Cool concept. A new way to enjoy journals. The idea stems from Deuteronomy 17: 18 (NLT) "When he sits on the throne as king, he must copy for himself this body of instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests." God commanded the kings of Israel to handwrite … [Read more...]
The Lord Calls – Lectio Divina
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”Psalm 27:8 NLTI hear you calling, Lord.You invite me to draw near, to come closer to you.I drop my urgency to get one more thing done and run into your arms.Only when I am with you, Lord am I complete.I smile.You smile.We don't even talk.We don't do. We be.Be together.Resting.Holding.Loving.Thank you for always calling. For meeting me where I am, no matter how dirty, distracted or damaged I am.You gently take me into your arms and soothe my wounds.You are the good Shepherd.And this little lamb is glad to find a home in your arms. … [Read more...]
In the Desert – Quote of the Week
In the desert the most urgent thing is—to wait.The desert does not take kindly to those who tackle it at breakneck speed, subjecting it to their plans and deadlines.Instead, the desert welcomes those who shed their sandals of speed and walk slowly in their bare feet, letting them be caressed and burnt by the sand.If you have no ambition to conquer the desert, if you do not think you are in charge, if you can calmly wait for things to be done, then the desert will not consider you an intruder and will reveal its secrets to you.Alessandro Pronzato … [Read more...]