Where do you find spiritual wisdom? I am a Jimmy Stewart fan. My favorite movie of all times is “It’s a Wonderful Life!” But another much loved one is Harvey. Harvey is a great black and white movie classic. Elwood P. Dowd’s best friend is a six-foot, three and half inch invisible white rabbit who accompanies him throughout his day helping him. It doesn’t take you long to fall in love with Elwood’s charming innocence. The movie also has some great spiritual lessons too: Spiritual Wisdom from Harvey Ponder these delightful quotes from Elwood: “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for thirty-five years, Doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.” “In this world, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whoever I’m with.” “Harvey and I warm ourselves in these golden moments. We came as strangers - soon we have friends. They come over. They … [Read more...]
My Conditional Love and God’s Unconditional Love
A few years ago, as part of my work in spiritual formation, I helped to facilitate the education of a small group of people called to be spiritual directors. One book we used for discussion was Gerald May’s book Will and Spirit. This book fed my soul and mind in numerous ways, but one section in particular resonated in my heart concerning God's unconditional love. Understanding/Misunderstanding Unconditional Love Buried in the middle of May’s chapter on love, he lists ways we get confused about our understanding of love. One obstacle May writes is “expecting unconditional love from human beings” and the second one: “expecting conditional love from God.” Suddenly upon hearing those phrases, though among many, I sat alone with God. What does this mean, Lord? Why did those phrases so deeply touch my spirit? Expecting unconditional love from human beings will set us up for failure, anger, bitterness and discouragement. We just can’t do it as humans, yet I … [Read more...]
A Centurion’s Prayer – Lectio Divina
Jesus shared all these sayings with the crowd that day on the plain. When He was finished, He went into the town of Capernaum.There, a Centurion had a slave he loved dearly. The slave was sick—about to die— so when the Centurion heard about Jesus, he contacted some Jewish elders. He sent them to ask Jesus to come and heal his dear slave. With great emotion and respect, the elders presented their request to Jesus.Jewish Elders: This man is worthy of Your help. It’s true that he’s a Centurion, but he loves our nation. In fact, he paid for our synagogue to be built.So Jesus accompanied them. When they approached the Centurion’s home, the Centurion sent out some friends to bring a message to Jesus.Message of the Centurion: Lord, don’t go to the trouble of coming inside. I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. That’s why I sent others with my request.Just say the word, and that will be enough to heal my servant.I understand how authority works, being under authority myself and … [Read more...]
Lifting Our Hearts No Matter What – Quote of the Week
Refuse to fall down. If you cannot refuse to fall down, refuse to stay down. If you cannot refuse to stay down, lift your heart toward heaven, and like a hungry beggar, ask that it be filled, and it will be filled. You may be pushed down. You may be kept from rising. But no one can keep you from lifting your heart toward heaven.Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés … [Read more...]
How to Honor Sabbath while Traveling
Last February I posted about being more intentional to honor Sabbath, titled Practicing, not Perfecting Sabbath. Fellow blogger and Christian sister, Shelly Miller has been writing about Sabbath and has a great series on her blog, Redemption Beauty, about surrendering to Sabbath. I so do appreciate her honest sharing with honoring this day as it has inspired me to continue in this practice. Honor Sabbath So how have I been doing? I did implement much of what I had planned and was actually noticing a difference on Sundays. I was more relaxed. I entered into worship and prayer at a deeper level. My dance card was packed on Sunday with the Lord filling all the slots. I connected and spent time with our Creator. BUT then we began to travel. We were gone many weekends. Airports and automobiles became my sanctuary. I unraveled. I wandered. Distractions and disarray reigned. I even noticed I didn’t sleep as well. I focused more on what I wasn’t getting done and less on … [Read more...]
Holy Holy Holy
The hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy grabbed my attention this week, Last Sunday I led the liturgy and shared the children’s sermon. As the service began, to be honest I was preoccupied. If God called to me, He would have gotten a busy signal. “Sorry the party you are trying to reach is unavailable." Not quite the way to enter worship, is it? But then we sang. Our opening song was the traditional hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy.I was fiddling with the wireless mic, so just mouthed the first set of lyrics. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity! Second verse same as the first (yes Herman Hermits fans - some of you will understand that little joke) Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Who was, and is, and evermore shall be. The … [Read more...]
Trinity Sunday – Lectio Divina
I have so much more to say, but you cannot absorb it right now. The Spirit of truth will come and guide you in all truth. He will not speak His own words to you; He will speak what He hears, revealing to you the things to come and bringing glory to Me. The Spirit has unlimited access to Me, to all that I possess and know, just as everything the Father has is Mine. That is the reason I am confident He will care for My own and reveal the path to you.John 16:12-15The Voice (VOICE)My head knows you love me, Lord. I struggle fully believing that in my heart.My mind barely grasps what all you have given me and how you cherish me as your child.But these verses also tell me the Spirit will care for me.Care for me?The Spirit loves me too?I never thought of that before, Lord.I study the idea of the Trinity - you being three in One.Love knows no boundaries within you, yet the idea of the Spirit expressing compassion for me lingers with me today.Your love is amazing.Add to that Jesus’ sacrifice … [Read more...]
Spiritual Growth – Quote of the Week
Physical and spiritual growth cannot be reduced to mechanics. I'm all for getting the mechanics right, but spiritual growth is more than a procedure; it's a wild search for God in the tangled jungle of our souls, a search which involves a volatile mix of messy reality, wild freedom, frustrating stuckness, increasing slowness, and a healthy dose of gratitude.Mike Yaconelli … [Read more...]