My husband and I traveled last week in Arizona. We didn’t know the roads or what awaited us beyond each turn in the road. But we were loaded down with all the essentials to find our way: our GPS unit, one city and two state maps, plus the one sheet map given to us by the rental car agent. I brought along the AAA Arizona guidebook, several dozen brochures, and two sheets of Google map directions.We only got lost twice. Not bad for two Midwesterners exploring the west.I wondered what I bring along to help me find my way on my spiritual journey. Reflecting on this last night when I couldn’t sleep (my body was tired, but my mind still believed we were in the Pacific time zone) I began a list of what has helped me grow closer to God and ideas of some tools God may be inviting me to use before I get lost or stuck on a long dusty detour. The first five I do okay with, the last five I have far to learn yet and need more practice:1. Sitting with the Sacred – Prayer is an essential to any … [Read more...]
Lists – What’s on Your Bucket List?
Patty Wysong has created a fun meme where once a week bloggers posted on the letter of the week. Check out the details here. It is called A2Z: Take 2. A2Z as she challenges bloggers to write a post each week going through the alphabet. Take 2 since this is the second time she has used this meme. Anyone can join in and you don’t have to always participate. This week’s letter is L:L = Lists What’s on Your Bucket List?One of the best Christian radio stations is WBCL. They have a wonderful program at 10 am each morning called Midmorning where they discuss a whole variety of topics. Last week they discuss bucket lists.What is on your bucket list?A bucket list, in case you don’t know, is a compilation of things you want to do or places to go before you kick the bucket. You take the time to ask yourself, "If I knew I were going to die next week, I would most regret not doing _______." I think the benefit of a bucket list is the power of writing out dreams. Once you see them listed before … [Read more...]
God’s Writing on my Heart – Lectio Divina
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.“I will put my law in their mindsand write it on their hearts.I will be their God,and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV)Write it on their hearts.Alpha, Omega and Lord of all the letters, write your commandments on my heart.Take your divine pen with permanent ink, compose a message planted deep within me that I will never lose nor forget.Scribble Your thoughts and dreams for me.Engrave Your blueprints.Inscribe Your name.You said You will be my God and I will be one of Your people.I cling to that promise and bare my heart to Your fountain pen.My heart is empty, blank, void without You.I long to connect with You through Your words and Your grace.Once Your ink penetrates me I will be forever changed.Your word so close inside me I will never forget You again.A eternal reminder of who I belong to and who I follow. … [Read more...]
Lent – A Clearing Season
If we picture all the obstructions between us and God as a wilderness, Lent presents us with time to clear and cultivate a part of that wilderness, to create an open space in it. In this newly opened space, we may live more freely and commune more closely with the divine. We can transform this wilderness and make it our home, our garden, a place that invites God in and asks God to stay.-Sarah Parsons A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent … [Read more...]
You’re Already Amazing – New Book by Holley Gerth
My eyes filled up with tears. Maybe I was just tired or maybe it was the message so many shared that day. I do know and agree with the Frederick Buechner quote: “Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling the secret of who you are, but more often than not of the mystery of where you have come from and are summoning you to where you should go next.”So I paid attention to what they said: “I am not good enough.”“I am never enough.”“I don’t deserve God’s love.”I shook my head along with the knowing I too struggling with that false belief. We need to hear a new message. Perhaps that is why I like Holly Gerth’s new book, You’re Already Amazing – Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be. What a phrase to ponder. What intrigued me though, was the front cover of the book and how the title emphasized the word ALREADY. Just think how our lives would change if we really lived as if we … [Read more...]
The Special Ks
On Tuesdays this year I have been having fun participating in Patty Wysong’s blog meme where once a week bloggers posted on the letter of the week. Check out the details here. It is called A2Z: Take 2. A2Z as she challenges bloggers to write a post each week going through the alphabet. This week’s letter is K and the letter K starts one particular word that is number one in my heart: well that is not entirely true: Three words to be exact.KylaKorbin KastinMeet my grandKids – three K’s and as our good friend Don nicknamed them: The Special KsKyla will be three in June and is a bubbling full of life toddler. She has been featured on this blog right after she was born and also several times when just watching her taught me spiritual lessons. Here what I wrote the day Kyla was born about God’s whoosh sweeping into our hearts.The wonder and curiosity of little ones teaches us also. So many lessons such as celebrating our firsts in life, tooKorbin and Kastin were born July 17. We get … [Read more...]
God’s Handiwork – Lectio Divina
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)God’s handiworkCreator God, I marvel at the work of Your hands.I gazed at Your twinkling Venus and bright Saturn in perfect alignment this week in the nighttime sky. Your ongoing design work amazes me.You wave Your hand and the purple and yellow crocuses emerge. I feel renewed with Spring’s resurrection.I hear of friend’s granddaughter’s birth and know You and I both celebrate new life.When I dare to ask, “Who am I, Lord?” This astonishing verse responds:“You are My handiwork. My masterpiece.”Why do I continue to dismiss that belief? Doubt You really mean it? Shrug off this wonderful news?My true identify remains in Your hands, carefully and lovingly created by the Sacred Sculptor.God Himself, the Divine Designer, carved His name in my heart and left His fingerprints all over my soul.God marks me with a permanent label clearly stating: Created by the … [Read more...]
An Irish Blessing – Quote of the Week
Image via WikipediaMay the road rise to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.And rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.Irish Blessing … [Read more...]