Have you ever thought about discernment? My car and I talk: I push the Bluetooth phone button. “Ready,” my Chevy Equinox, so eager to please, responds. “Call home.” I direct. “Home?” the mechanical feminine voice asks. “Say yes or no.” I quickly say, “yes.” “Home?” the mechanical feminine voice asks. “Say yes or no.” “Yes!” I repeated rapidly after her second attempt. “Ok, good bye.” After this happened to me several times, I learned my lesson. If I respond with my “yes” too fast after her question, my friendly computer friend doesn’t understand and the communication fails. If I pause before I say “yes,” things go much more smoothly. I explained my little trick with my car to my husband the other day when the universal truth of what I said hit my heart. What good advice for making decisions too. Pause before saying yes or no. Things will go smoother when you don’t go too quickly. Pause before saying yes - a bluetooth or “bluetruth” … [Read more...]
Silence – a Spiritual Practice
Silence? How well do you do with this spiritual practice? I attended a silent retreat for four days this past weekend. Now a few of you who know me more than just through this blog probably think I wouldn’t last or would be expelled. Yes I do talk quite a bit. But I figured out this was my fifth silent retreat! I find this type of spiritual practice to be one of the most effective disciplines for opening my heart and bringing me closer to God. In fact the few years I didn’t attend one for more than 24 months, I missed them. Now I try to get to one annually. We arrived Thursday evening and have a talkative dinner together. After supper we meet as a group, sharing what we think God may be inviting us to experience the next few days. I have learned to let go of my expectations though. Often I will list in my journal questions I would love some insight to during my quiet time with God but then hold them lightly. Sometimes I hear answers; sometimes not. We begin the silence … [Read more...]
Extravagant Fragrance of Worship – Lectio Divina
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.John 12: 1-3 (NIV)And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfumeSo many lessons today from Your Word, Lord but I can’t help being drawn into Mary’s moment of uninhibited worship.Mary brought to You her most valuable possession and poured it out for You with intimacy, tenderness and extravagant love.Just a few drops of her precious perfume would have been adequate, enough, sufficient, but she choose to gave You all. Everything. Then she humble drew close to You to distribute its soothing balm with her hair. May my heart be so willing as hers, Lord.May I lavish all I … [Read more...]
An Irish Prayer – Quote of the Week
May God give you…For every storm, a rainbow,For every tear, a smile,For every care, a promise,And a blessing in each trial.For every problem life sends,A faithful friend to share,For every sigh, a sweet song,And an answer for each prayer. … [Read more...]
St Patrick – Bio, Trivia and a few Blarney Quotes
IrelandWe are all Irish on St Patrick’s Day. This Sunday is for wearing of the green, they say. Thought it would be fun to read a little about St. Patrick and share some trivia/ quotes.Who was St. Patrick?He was born in Britain near the end of the 4th century. March 17 is the believed date of his death in 460. When he was 16, Patrick was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. They transported him to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. While in captivity he became a Christian.He escaped and returned to Britain where he had a vision where an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Fifteen years later, after training then ordination as a priest, he went back to Ireland.Since Patrick knew the Irish traditions and beliefs, he incorporated them into his lessons about Christianity. For example he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the people.St Patrick TriviaPatrick couldn't have driven the snakes out of Ireland … [Read more...]
The Miracle of Sight or Seeing What’s Right in Front of Me
Why do I miss seeing what's right in front of me? Why do we always make things so difficult when the answer often is right in front of us? I’m short. I used to be five foot three, but to honest I think I am closer to five foot two now. But even with my height deficiency I was able to help someone last week. I was in the grocery store concentrating on my grocery list, pushing the cart up and down the aisles. I wandered lost in my own thoughts, needs and world. I almost bumped into an elderly lady standing by the boxed potato section, mumbling to herself. I ignored her at first, but she looked me in the eyes and said with exasperation and a deep sigh, “Why do they put everything up so high?” “Can I help you?”I asked. “I can’t reach that box on the top shelf.” Ha! One shorty asking another shorty for help with the top shelf, that’s funny. I looked around to be sure I wasn’t being filmed for some sort of reality humor show. Never in my life before had I … [Read more...]
God Runs to His Children – Lectio Divina
So he got up and returned to his father. The father looked off in the distance and saw the young man returning. He felt compassion for his son and ran out to him, enfolded him in an embrace, and kissed him.Luke 15: 20 (The Voice)I run from You, Lord.You run towards me.I turn with lowered eyes and shame dripping my from head.I limp homeward.You run.I barely turn the corner, limping back.You run.You come the furthest to welcome me home.The prodigal - full of fear and dread and remorse.The Father - full of nothing but love.With the first hint in my eyes of seeking Your face, You rush into my heart.I wonder what your eyes look like in that moment of love, greeting this lost child of Yours.Lord You come to us, for us.You descend into our sin.You embrace us and lift us up.You look off into the distance, watching for our slight turn towards you and Your heart fills with compassion.You don’t stop there. You race to me.You don’t see the rags, the dirt, the sin coating me.You only see me.You see … [Read more...]
Closing All Doors to Find Your True Self – Quote of the Week
Every time you close another door--be it the door of immediate satisfaction, the door of distracting entertainment, the door of busyness, the door of guilt and worry, or the door of self-rejection--you commit yourself to go deeper into your heart and thus deeper into the heart of God.This is a movement toward full incarnation. It leads you to become what you already are--a child of God; it lets you embody more and more the truth of your being; it makes you claim the God within you.Henri J. M. Nouwen … [Read more...]