Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity.He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having … [Read more...]
Just Think – Quote of the Week
Just think:You're here not by chance,but by God's choosing,His hand formed youand made you the person you are.He compares you to no one else-You are one of a kind.You lack nothing thatHis grace can't give you.He has allowed you to be hereat this time in historyTo fulfill His special purposefor this generation.Roy Lessin … [Read more...]
12 Native American Proverbs
Many of the gift shops we visited on our trip to southern Utah held books and cards featuring Native American proverbs. I thought their wisdom would be fun to share with you. "Even your silence holds a sort of prayer." Apache "The Great Spirit gave us each a song." Ute "Wisdom comes only when you stop looking for it and start living the life the Creator intended for you." Hopi "Thoughts are like arrows; once released, they strike their mark. Guard them well or one day you may be your own victim." Navajo "To gossip is like playing checkers with an evil spirit; you win occasionally but are more often trapped at your own game." Hopi "First you are to think always of God. Second you are to use all your powers to care for your people and especially the poor." Sioux "It makes no difference as to the name of the God since love is the real God of … [Read more...]
Recognizing the Rewards of Routine
Do you thrive or just survive in the daily routines of life? We have been camping the past two weeks. After long days of car travel from Ohio to Utah, we ventured around the "Golden Circle" of Moab, Arches and Canyonland National Parks, Mesa Verde, Durango and the four corners, then through northern Arizona to Bryce and Zion National Parks. What a treasure our national parks are! I am amazed at the history of the world found in geology. We discovered the roots of ancient Native Americans and listened to their stories about creation, the stars above, and how we are all connected through the years and through nature. Yes vacation can be moments of learning, adventure and change of scenery. I love planning trips and the anticipation of new sights. My perspective widens and my imagination soars. Trips evolve into more than just sightseeing; they become pilgrimages where we find roots and inspiration. Each day was different. Yet nothing on vacation feels as good to … [Read more...]
Embracing God’s Wonders – Lectio Divina
Take a good look at God’s wonders— they’ll take your breath away. He converted sea to dry land; travelers crossed the river on foot. Now isn’t that cause for a song?Psalm 66: 5-6 (The Message)Lord, my heart does sing this week.My music speaks of thankfulness for a wonderful vacation.My memory overflows with pictures of the beauty of Your creative artistry found in our national parks.The words of this week’s psalm roll from my spirit upward in wonder and gratitude.Southern Utah is dry land, Lord, once covered by deep seas and creatures that no longer roam.We could see each era in the colorful strata of rocky layers.You must love rocks, Lord. You seemed to play with them, juggled them with glee as You stacked them on top of each other in patterns that defy any human reasoning.My mind visualized You bowling the boulders into deep canyons filled with divinely made bowling pins.I can see You sculpting clay into innovative shapes that humans will later think they see shapes of … [Read more...]
The Master Craftsman – Quote of the Week
“You weren’t an accident.You weren’t mass produced.You weren’t an assembly line product.You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted and lovingly positioned on earth by the Master Craftsman.”Max Lucado … [Read more...]
The 4th of July – Erma Bombeck
You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism. ~Erma Bombeck … [Read more...]
Spiritual Priorities
Remember the old Abbot and Costello skit: “Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...” I have been pondering that question lately: Who’s on first? Who is first in my life? I wish I could say God was all the time, but to be honest, that is not always true. I heard a speaker a few years ago, Rev, Dan Schrock, pastor of the Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship in Goshen Indiana, speak about five attachments we cling to instead of God. Many of these affections are not bad, but just disordered. We hold onto them tightly, putting them in first place – a place reserved only for God. “Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Exodus 34:14 What takes the place of God as priorities in our hearts and lives? 1. Physical objects – that new truck, our laptop, the home we have lived in for 26 years 2. People – This could be a highly regarded mentor, a close friend and … [Read more...]