Mary DeMuth’s new book is called Everything: What you give and what you gain to become like Jesus and is scheduled for release October 16. You can preorder it here. I am blessed to be part of Mary’s launch team for this wonderful book and have an early copy to study and enjoy. Over the next few Thursdays, I will be sharing a quote from the book and some thoughts that her words have stirred within my heart. This book is wonderful, full of wisdom and stories, and will help you discover the freedom in surrendering everything to Jesus.Once a month six of us gather in a circle for group spiritual direction. Each of us takes a turn sharing where and how God has been moving in our lives. We listen intensely and intentionally in silence to each story, then after prayer share a simple response, hopefully instilled with the Holy Spirit.Often I have to peer deep within me and struggle to find the words to describe my experiences with God. Last month I told them that since my June retreat I have … [Read more...]
Keep On Stepping – One Step at a Time – Even in Circles
To get through the hardest journey we need take only one step at a time, but we must keep on stepping. – Chinese ProverbI’m frustrated. I thought I heard what God called me to do. I prayed. I listened. I obeyed. The only message I continue to hear from God is this: Complete what I asked you to do.So I try. And I tried again this morning: to finish what I believe is my next step.Nope, didn’t happen. The door remained shut. I don’t understand. I am bewildered. I feel surrounded by an enormous wall that I can’t see beyond or get through.Then I remember one of my favorite Bible stories: Joshua and Jericho.After the death of Moses, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites. As they entered Canaan, the Promised Land, the walled fortress of Jericho loomed ahead of them. How would the ragtag army of foreigners who have been traveling for 40 years ever defeat that city?Joshua prayed. God had a strange plan - The men were to march around the city once each day, for six days. The priests were … [Read more...]
Singing to the Lord from my Heart – Lectio Divina
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Ephesians 5: 18b-20 NIVSing and make music from your heart to the LordTo the Conductor of my life:With my eyes focused only on You, I lift my instrument, my heart, ready to sing Your music.I know I am far from the top soprano in Your chorus. I am not in the run for the prime solo part of the concert. I stand towards the back of the choir peering around heads ahead of me, watching You raise Your baton to lead us.But I come as I am. I bring my heart and my voice. I sing and make music from me to … [Read more...]
Asking the Questions – Quotes of the Week
I have felt surrounded by questions - deep, soul churning questions lately. Thought a few quotes about living with these stirring unknowns may help me. Maybe they will help you too.Confidence, like art, never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions.Earl Gray Stevens“The one who asks questions doesn't lose his way.”African Proverb“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them.And the point is to live everything.Live the questions.”Rainer Marie RilkeSometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.Dr. Seuss … [Read more...]
Satan Doesn’t Want Us to Hurry – “Someday” Works for him
I am a great procrastinator. Someday I will get that book written.Someday I will lose weight and start exercising regularly.Someday I will send that letter to my old friend.Someday I will stop procrastinating.I have to keep telling myself that “Someday” isn’t one of the days of the week.Mark Twain quipped, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow." I learn best through stories. This old tale that I rediscovered this week, really pierce through my procrastinating patterns.Satan, frustrated with the continued devotion of Christians, called his three chief devils to offer suggestions about how to undermine the Church and to stop the forward movement of Christ’s work.The first devil said, “I’ll tell them there is no Heaven. That will lead them to despair.” But Satan responded, “I’m afraid that will not work. Whenever parents see a newborn baby, or whenever anyone sees the Milky Way on a dark night, they will know that there must be a Heaven.”The second devil … [Read more...]
What Am I Afraid to Give to God?
What are you afraid to give to Me?I was surprised to hear this question today. Quieting myself following my morning devotions, I spent the next few minutes rambling on and on with my litany of supposedly important wants and needs, my prayers for others, my ever-present complaints, and a dash of praise and thankfulness for good measure. Finally like a spent two year old, I rested on God’s lap of love, leaning on His chest and listened to His heartbeat. That is when I heard Him whisper.What are you afraid to give to Me?What am I clinging to with clenched fists, hiding behind my back, leaving hidden in dark corners? Why is fear my reaction to giving God everything? “Shouldn’t” I trust Him with my all?St. Ignatius called anything that hinders us from growing closer to God or doing His will a “disordered attachment.” These could be good things, just not in the right priority. What fills my hearts first instead of God? The list is endless. Physical things - like loving my house or brand … [Read more...]
The Gift of Words – Lectio Divina
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive.Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.Ephesians 4: 29, 31-32 (The Message)Add captionLord I need you to stand guard at the opening of my mouth.My strongest and most damaging muscle is my tongue.You urge me to watch how I talk. To let nothing unpleasant, unclean and dishonest escape from me.My only words should be helpful, kind, and reflect You.Each word is a gift, You say in this verse.Every single word, all of them, my entire vocabulary.All sounds, syllables, expressions, and remarks.All are gifts - from You to You and to others.Like choosing just the right gift for the right time, help me choose the right words.Show me how to wrapped them in their finest divine packaging.Remind me to be generous with compliments, gratitude, and … [Read more...]
Let Our Light Shine, Not our Fear – Quote of the Week
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God … It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."- Marianne Williamson … [Read more...]