The Voice - no, not the TV show, the Bible translation.I heard that this version was released about a year ago but hadn’t explored it yet. Then a few weeks one of my favorite Bible reference web pages - Biblegateway - added The Voice to its choices. mmm, maybe it was time to take a look. The Biblegateway blog had an interesting post about thedifferent versions they use when they added The Voice Bible. They also have a full explanation and information about The Voice Bible on this page.The publisher, Thomas Nelson, describes The Voice as: “a faithful dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all the truth and wisdom of God's Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching, The Voice invites readers to enter into the whole story of God, enabling them to hear God speaking and to experience His presence in their lives. Through a collaboration of nearly 120 biblical scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and artists, The Voice recaptures the passion, … [Read more...]
Daring Greatly, Being STRETCHED and Jumping into the Arena
What is daring greatly? I “met” Brene Brown through her TED talks. She speaks on ThePower of Vulnerability here and her talk on Listening to Shame here. Both are worth your time to listen. TED talks are wonderful conversations about life, the world and curiosity. People present in less than 20 minutes a peek into their research, their experiences and/or their learning. Their mission is to spread ideas. I always learn something new when I watch a TED talk. Brene studies and writes about such fascinating topics as shame, vulnerability and courage. She listens deeply to people and the journalist in me loves the questions she asks others to explore. Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, graduate school of social work. She has written several books: The Gifts of Imperfection and I Thought I was Just Me. My daughter, Valerie gave me her latest book, Daring Greatly, at Christmas. (Thanks Val!) I just finished Daring Greatly. Don’t you love it when a … [Read more...]
Trusting God’s Word – Lectio Divina
Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.” For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.” Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If … [Read more...]
Lenten Prayer – Henri Nouwen
Lenten Prayer The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you. Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this … [Read more...]
The Power of Kind Words
Kind words are powerful. In the mornings I hear a chorus of chirpy dings as emails drop into my inbox. Notes from friends. New posts on blogs I follow. Headlines from a few news agencies. Yesterday one email changed my day. A person wrote me to tell me how much she liked reading Healthy Spirituality. “You never know how far yours goes but please know that you make a difference to a small Congregational church in Massachusetts.” Now I am not sharing this to brag or asking for more compliments. Mark Twain wrote: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Notice he didn’t say dwell on them, brag about them, or refuse them. He let them digest to build his inner strength and nourishment. What amazed me what my reaction to her email. Her kind words washed over me, refreshed me and lifted my spirits. I think I smiled the rest of the day. “One kind word can warm three winters.” A Japanese Proverb Her email also reminded me about my … [Read more...]
4 Lenten Quotes of Wisdom
I love quotes. I can chew on one bite of wisdom for hours, even days. I find the short insights from someone wiser than me or more experienced with God, guides me on my own journey. A fellow blogger, Nancy Ruegg, left me a comment last week after she read some of the other Lenten quotes I shared. Her plan was to take parts of the quotes and create her own Lenten Prayer. Isn't that a terrific idea? I found this post the other day, 40 Days to a New You.where 40 thought provoking Lenten quotes, perfect for Lent, were listed. Maybe these will inspire you to write out your own Lenten prayer. How could you use Lenten quotes? Here are four samples: An Ash Wednesday prayer: How often have I lived through these weeks without paying much attention to penance, fasting, and prayer? How often have I missed the spiritual fruits of the season without even being aware of it? But how can I ever really celebrate Easter without observing … [Read more...]
Let Your Light Shine – Lectio Divina
The Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Exodus 34: 35And while Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Luke 9: 29Lord, may my life shine with dazzling light for You.Purify me, Lord, so no tarnish blocks Your rays.Moses spoke face to face with You.Jesus conversed intimately with You, His Father.I come to Your throne not knowing what to say. What to do in Your presence. How to approach you carrying my sin smeared heart.Yet You invite me to come closer, to snuggle into Your arms, to hear You whisper my name.You gently wash me clean - squeaky, shiny, pure and spotless. There is nothing I can do to remove the shroud covering my heart. Only You can lift it with Your breath of new life.Ruth Burrows said, “If I let God take hold of me more and more; possess me, as fire possesses the burning log, then I give off … [Read more...]
Attitude – Our Daily Choice – Quote of the Week
The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on her window.“I love it,” she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.“Mrs. Jones, you haven’t seen the room …. just wait.”“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied.“Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged … it’s how I arrange my mind.I already decided to love it … It’s a … [Read more...]