Prayer for God’s Unfailing Love and Faithfulness – Psalm 92: 2

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Image by Nutmeg Designs via FlickrMark Roberts wrote a reflection a few weeks ago on the Higher Calling website about framing your day with God’s love and faithfulness.Roberts based his idea on Psalm 92: 2: It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
your faithfulness in the evening.,He wrote, “ I wonder what would happen if you were to take Psalm 92:2 very literally. What difference might it make in your life if the first thing you did when you got up in the morning was to proclaim God’s unfailing love, and the last thing you did was to proclaim his faithfulness?I took him up on his challenge and have been praying about God’s unfailing love first thing in the morning and His unfailing faithfulness as I go to sleep at night. Here is what I have learned:1.     Since I already have the practice of Examen at night (see my post re this here) adding a prayer of thankfulness for God’s faithfulness was easy for me.  Yet I paused as I have been praying this, wondering how … [Read more...]

Creating a Thankful Home

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 My two-year-old granddaughter, Kyla, is learning manners. Her mom won’t let me respond to Kyla until she says, “Please” and “Thank you.”And I must say in all humble grandmotherlyness, a toddler answering with a exceedingly cute, “You’re welcome” just warms the heart.Growing up in a home where thanks and gratitude is expected will help her as an adult express thankfulness.We can create thankful homes even as adults.A few years back I looked around my house. What would a stranger know about me walking though this place I call home?    Is love spoken here?   What do the residents believe?   Is the atmosphere warm and inviting?I remember that experience when I decorate, remodeled, or hunt for just the right painting for the walls.  I look for ways to express hospitality.November focuses on being grateful and is a great time for creating a thankful home environment.I have a basket of fresh Honey Crisp apples on the counter. Thankful for fall harvest.On my front door hangs a wreath – … [Read more...]

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant – Lectio Divina

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Image by LSE Library via Flickr“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! Matthew 25: 21Well done, good and faithful servant.Master, what will you say to me when I come to You in my final moments on earth?Will you ask my about my sins?  How I used my gifts? What I accomplished? I heard one man reflect that he thought You would ask “Did you enjoy life?”  Yes life is also about joy.Master, I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant”Lord, I don’t know all the answers.I make tons of mistakes.I let my eyes drift away from You and onto shiny bright objects of the world.But I have a deep desire to be faithful – faith that only comes from You.Lord help me be true in the use of my time.Faithful in being who You made me to be.Attentive to Your presence in every detail, every person, every circumstance.My prayer? My desire? Show me how to be a good and faithful servant. … [Read more...]

Asking for Directions – Spiritual Discernment

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Sometimes life is confusing. The signs we see are real. Yet we still get lost in this world    This road sign was recently erected in our county. Imagine you are driving north in traffic. You need to know if you should turn or keep going straight. Quickly what does this sign mean?     East is still east and west is still west in my county, Here Ohio 15 runs north and south for the last 80 years, but that is not what the sign signifies.    In their wisdom of seeing the whole picture, the Ohio Department of Transportation replaced the road sign recently, striving for consistency throughout the state. State Route 15 is designated in Ohio an east-west route even though you travel north and south here.   Confused yet?   Look at all these signs as a whole – East goes in three different directions. You can travel both south and east at the same time. What a mess.      Spiritually, don’t you just want a sign sometime?     The world shows me puzzling and often misleading notices on how I should … [Read more...]

Lessons in Growing Old Gracefully – Billie Graham – Nearing Home

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       What is the best way to grow old gracefully?         One of my favorite Bible verses is: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:14.         We have a wonderful example of bearing fruit at an older age in evangelist Billie Graham.       Graham has just released his latest and probably his last book, Nearing Home, Life, Faith and Finishing Well.      This book is full of practical, honest, and inspirational advice for both young and old on the art of living fully until the end of life. He gives wonderful examples not just from his life, but also from others such as his wife Ruth and Biblical characters.     As I read this book it was like an experience of the  sitting at the feet of a wise elder sharing his final words of wisdom with a group. He shares ideas to be best prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for whatever old age brings our way.    Graham’s words challenge the readers to consider what legacy we … [Read more...]

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord – Lectio Divina

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Image by suneko via FlickrThough the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.~Habakkuk 3:17-18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord Lord, no matter what -  I will rejoice in You.I want to live this way all the time.I know often I don’t, but with Your strength, I can try once again.I can dance with You when all my work and efforts fail to produce.I can laugh with You when I am hungry for more, especially more of You.I can shout, “Alleluia” when my hands are empty and my heart is heavy.I can relish our past times together, even when I currently feel far from You and deeply crave Your presence. I can delight in my doubts because You are my Savior.I celebrate You, Lord.I will be intentionally joyful because You are God.I will rejoice in the Lord. … [Read more...]