I was typing away the other day, lost in a world of words, punctuation and verb tenses. My eyes left the screen momentarily, landing on a quote scribbled and taped to my desk. I stopped and breathed in its wisdom, "Look at God Looking at you... and smiling." Anthony de Mello I smiled. For one brief moment, God and I just sat together. Not doing. Not accomplishing. Just enjoying each other's company. Today I sat back and looked at the wise words of others decorating (or cluttering) my writing space. I thought I would share some of the wisdom with you that inspires me: "If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one." a Russian Proverb "We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and disappointment." Jim Rohn "Spare moments are the gold dust of time." Bishop … [Read more...]
The Back-up Quarterback School of Faithfulness
I admit it: I am an Ohio State Buckeye fan. We have a wonderful nationally recognized, Heisman potential quarterback who unfortunately sprained his knee in the first quarter of the first game this year. In comes the little known back up quarterback. Kenny Guiton is a senior. A highly talented player who has been overshadowed his entire college playing career by other players. He wasn't even going to attend OSU originally, but a coach came recruiting him from his high school in Texas. He found out later all the other recruits OSU were seeking chose other colleges. He arrived in Columbus as a last minute back up, starting at the bottom of the list. “I was under the radar. That’s what my mom always told me: You’re under the radar, so why not just go out there and work hard and do what you can?” And he did. In 2010, Kenny in his first collegiate attempt against Indiana was intercepted. In 2011 with another chance ahead of him to be picked … [Read more...]
Faithful in Little – Lectio Divina
"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much."Luke 16: 10aFaithful in littleLord, it isn't the big obstacles that trip me.I run to you in major crisis and seek you in moments of pain and catastrophe.I reach out in blind faith when there is nothing else to grab onto.I know you are by my side in my darkest moments.But Lord, I feel most lost when the little hurdles pile up.The mosquitoes of daily life distract my heart.The pebbles of busyness, self-doubts, and ego driven dreams rub raw places in my soul.I try to make it on my own in the waning light of human desires and wants.Why can't I reach out for your hand throughout the day?Keeping my eyes on you in the small details.Finding you in the little facets of living.Trusting you with each tiny crumb of my day.Lord, you are the giver of faith. I do believe; help my unbelief.May I be faithful in the very little, in the very much, and in the forever. … [Read more...]
Jean Pierre de Caussade – Quote of the Week
Mystify us, arouse and confuse us.Shatter our illusions and plans so that we lose our way, and see neither path nor light until we have found you, where you are to be found and in your true form—in the peace of solitude, in prayer, in submission, in suffering, in succour given to another, and in flight from idle talk and worldly affairs.For how foolish it is, O Divine Love, not to see you in all that is good and in all creatures.Why, then, try to find you in what you are not?Jean Pierre de Caussade, The Sacrament of the Present Moment … [Read more...]
Cedar Point’s Guide to Living
Think going to Cedar Point is only about fun? After all Cedar Point, located in Sandusky, Ohio, has been voted the “Best Amusement Park in the World” for a record 15 consecutive years. I spent this past weekend at the Roller Coaster Capital attending Bloggy Con to learn more about blogging. I never expected to get a life lesson on top of the fun and education. On Sunday morning, a small group of us ventured out just before sunrise for a photography tour of the park. (All these photos are from that morning) Our tour guide was Cedar Point's marketing manager, Bryan Edwards. He held the key to get us into the locked gate to enter the empty park and shared stories about the park. Bryan also gave us a key to living. He said, "Here at Cedar Point, we value the past, look forward to the future while enjoying the present." I know too often I have struggled to stay in the present. I live in either/or living. On some days, my … [Read more...]
The Truth about Easy Targets
Our local newspaper is an easy target. I write for them so I'm sensitive when people become critical about how they cover a story or make a mistake. Easy targets. Unfortunately when a newspaper makes a mistake, everyone berates them. If someone's name is misspelled or a headline reads funny, the phone calls pour in from all the "yes I use English perfectly all the time" people. If one school doesn't make the front of the sports page, all the fans cry favoritism. Newspapers are put together fairly quickly. Mistakes will happen. Sometimes the results may even be humorous. Easy targets. What I can't figure out is why do people think it is ok to bash, blame and belittle an entity that is really supportive of the community? Newspapers are easy targets. Easy targets When I am on the receiving end, my fists come out or tears cascade down. But I began thinking about easy targets this morning and realized I am just as guilty. I think the Lord is exposing my own critical … [Read more...]
Count on It – Lectio Divina
“Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one.Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it?And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbors: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”Luke 15:8-10 The MessageParties in heaven, Lord? You say, count on it.Celebrations? Joy? Divine delight?I often wonder what brings you happiness, Lord.One event certainly is when the lost is found.And what is my role? How can I bring you joy?The woman in this parable first lit her lamp. Cleanse the grime from my heart, Lord so your light shines brightly.Then she scoured throughout her world, looking in every corner. She paid attention to every detail. She didn't give up. Give me strength to persevere, Lord, eyes to see clearly and the desire to go beyond what I can now see.And she shared her victory with others. Give … [Read more...]
The Gift of Grace – Quote of the Week
The grace of God means something like: Here is your life. You might never have been, but you are because the party wouldn't have been complete without you. Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us. It's for you I created the universe. I love you. There's only one catch. Like any other gift, the gift of grace can be yours only if you'll reach out and take it. Maybe being able to reach out and take it is a gift too.-Frederick Buechner … [Read more...]