I love NCIS. My hubby kids me and calls Tuesday nights at 8 pm the “holy hour.” Don’t call me when there is a new show on. I won’t be nice.CBS NCISLast week’s episode showed a tender moment between two of the characters that lingered with me. As Ziva gets ready to fly to Israel, Tony hugs her and says something in her ear in Hebrew. She smiles and says, “I know.”What did Tony say?At lo levad - You are not alone.You are not alone. How we all hunger to hear that. I think many of us desperately want to believe that. This world can be a tough place where we often feel lost. There is hope and renewal in hearing:You are not alone.Reminded me of the beloved 23rd Psalm:The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You … [Read more...]
No Regrets – Why I am Seeking a God-sized Dream
Bill and I had been married a couple of years when my brother, who was serving in the Army, was stationed in Germany. “Come over and visit us” was his invitation. We talked about going. We saved the money. We never went. We let life’s worries and “what if’s” block an opportunity and we have regretted it ever since. Bill and I often use this decision from early in our married life as a plum line for discernment. Will we regret not taking this opportunity? Will we look back later in life and say we should have? “The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown Holly Gerth has been challenging us to discover and explore God-sized dreams. She has invited us to say yes to a God sized Dream. She explains her project on her blog here: She writes: “This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of … [Read more...]
Ordinary into Extraordinary/ Water into Wine – Lectio Divina
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to … [Read more...]
Silent, Present Friends – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen … [Read more...]
Lewis and Tolkien: The Synergy of Friendship
Lewis and Tolkien has a special friendship. I read a few months ago the J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in a letter following the death of C. S. Lewis: “But for his interest and unceasing eagerness for more I should never have brought The Lord of the Rings to a conclusion.” We saw the Hobbit over the holidays and rewatched all three parts of the Lord of the Rings. What fantastic story telling. And to think, we may never have heard of Tolkien if it wasn’t for a friend. But I have recently learned we may have never heard of C. S. Lewis either if it hadn’t been for Tolkien. Lewis and Tolkien had a relationship that nourished one another. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 The encouragement and determination friends like Lewis and Tolkien gave to one another now enriches the whole world. One plus one equals More. When I become curious about the friendship of Lewis and Tolkien, I found a book by Colin Duriez titled … [Read more...]
Savoring Sisterhood
We had dinner with college friends last week. Friends we hadn’t seen for a while, but who continue to delightfully cross our paths for 40 years. What a sisterhood and brotherhood, these friends are. Driving home I marveled - how time and distance separate us, yet once together we chat, giggle and share like old times. Immediately we are back on each other’s wavelength listening and caring. Friendship is priceless. What a miracle! On my spiritual journey I have learned when a good experience comes along - whether it is of God, in relationships or any life’s uplifting surprises, my best response is taking the time to be grateful and to savor that moment. Savor means to fully enjoy, relish, cherish. To hold and ponder this wonderful gift. To appreciate. I value these friendships from all stages of my life: Chrissy and Wendywho I met in 6th grade and continue to bless me and are the sisters God gave me since I have only brothers in my family. Herb, Kathy, Don, Margie, … [Read more...]
We Belong to God – Lectio Divina
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give nations in exchange for you, and peoples in exchange for your lifeDo not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I … [Read more...]
Nine Requisites for Contented Living: Quote of the Week
Nine requisites for contented living: - Health enough to make work a pleasure. - Wealth enough to support your needs. - Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them. - Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. - Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. - Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.- Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others. - Faith enough to make real the things of God. - Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future.- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe … [Read more...]