We visited good friends in Austin Texas last April. As we traveled around the area sightseeing, we noticed the beautiful wildflowers blooming along every highway. But nothing prepared me for the colorful splendor of the Wildseed Farms, about seven miles outside Fredericksburg.Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. The farm has more than 200 cultivated acres at its Hill Country headquarters.Take in this verse from Matthew, then enjoy the photos of God's palette:"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. … [Read more...]
It is Well with My Soul – How Music Stirs Our Spirit
I worshiped yesterday.We helped our son and daughter-in-law moved into their new home outside of Chicago and then went to church with them on Sunday. Proud mommy moment: watching through tears my pastor son praying, preparing and distributing communion. But it was the music that captured my heart and enfolded me into worship of our King and Lord yesterday. One particular hymn - its words, its story and its music - felt like God and I were having an intimate conversation, just between the two of us. Peace swirled in my heart and filled that empty place I keep hidden away.The hymn? It is Well with my SoulDo you know its story? A Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford, a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy, wrote this hymn. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures.The Spafford's only son died from scarlet fever when he was only four. He lost most of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.He knew his family needed … [Read more...]
The Lord’s Blessings – Lectio Divina
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for."You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into … [Read more...]
The Knot Prayer – Quote of the Week
Dear God,Please untie the knotsthat are in my mind,my heart and my life.Remove the have nots,the can nots and the do notsthat I have in my mind.Erase the will nots,may nots, andmight nots that finda home in my heart.Release me from the could nots,would nots andshould nots that obstruct my life.And most of all, dear God,I ask that you remove from my mindmy heart and my life all of the am notsthat I have allowed to hold me back,especially the thoughtthat I am not good enough.Amen(author unknown) … [Read more...]
Choosing Hope
English: photo of Catrien Eagles's pet cat called Tigger. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)"I worry about your little girl," said the tall gray haired lady. "She always looks so solemn."That little girl was me.I don't know why that day my facial appearance was serious and sober, but I heard that comment more than once in my life. To be honest I was not born optimistic. That line will surprise people who know me now.Yep, I am a natural Eoyore, not a Tigger. As an adult I have consciously decided to live with a positive attitude. I choose hope.Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul. - Emily Dickinson The glass isn't just half full or half empty. Even if the glass only holds half of its volume with fluid, the brim is topped off with precious life-giving air. I like to think that space is chocked-full of the Spirit. I hold a full cup each day since God fills in whatever is missing.So now I am that cockeyed optimist we sing about in music.That is why I really enjoyed receiving … [Read more...]
Prayers that Blessed my Retreat
Prayer opened the door of my heart during my recent retreat. I was surrounded and supportive with prayers from others from their own life journeys and prayers that bubbled up within me as I spent time with God.I am home now following this two-week retreat on the “Art of Guiding Individually Directed Retreats.” The setting was at the lovely St. Francis Retreat Center in Michigan and sponsored by the Dominican Center at Marywood. Our retreat leader was Sister Nancy Brousseau, my mentor and spiritual guide through my formation as a spiritual director. Nancy always invites us to go deeper, to let go and plunge into God. Knowing that should have prepared me for two weeks of not just learning with my head, but coming home with a new heart.I wanted to write a post today detailing the retreat about what I experienced and still am encountering with God. But I am lost to find the words to describe the intimacy and sacredness of these ongoing blessings.Instead I will share with you some of … [Read more...]
Bearing Fruit in Old Age – Lectio Divina
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;planted in the house of the Lord,they will flourish in the courts of our God.They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him. ”Psalm 92:12-15They will still bear fruit in old ageShe died over a year ago, Lord, just shy of her 100thbirthday.She may be gone, but her fragrance still lingers in my heart.She still teaches me, Lord.Teaches me to smile at each day.To plant flowers.To keep moving.To think and pray for others.She still bears fruit here, though she is with You.She bore much fruit in her old age.Lord, I have no idea how much longer I will walk here on earth.Illness, accident, or sudden life changing transitions may abruptly veer me off path.But I am Yours.I don’t want to rot on the vine, Lord.Sprinkle Your spirit upon me and nourish my roots so I bear fruit now and into my old age.May I give … [Read more...]
A Prayer – Martin Luther – Quote of the Week
FAITH (Photo credit: cacigar)Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it.I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor.I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you.In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.I am a sinner; you are upright.With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness.Therefore I will will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.Amen.Martin Luther … [Read more...]