Image via WikipediaMy bachelor’s degree in nursing is from Capital University in Columbus Ohio. Several times a year we get what most college alumni receive: an alumni magazine. This month had an intriguing article titled: “Can Teaching Empathy Lead to Social Change?”This past year Capital selected six students who were paired with a social service agency. They attended workshops, watched documentaries, read books, and volunteered. Not only did they learn more about that agency’s service – they were immersed in what it was like to be poor and disadvantaged.For example one student stayed 24 hours in an emergency shelter. In the morning she was given a bus pass and told to go out and find affordable housing. She said she never even used a bus before and had no idea where to even begin a place to live.Another had to identify and find three health care centers that provided no-or low-cost health care using only public transportation and the library – no cars and no phones allowed.Another … [Read more...]
SPIRITUAL LESSONS IN DETOURS
I live in Edon Ohio, a little village with less than 900 residents. Our homes sit on the crossroads to two state highways: north and south State Route 49 and east and west State Route 34. We head east to Bryan, our county site (shopping, work, appointments, and restaurants) and west to the wonderful lake region where many people travel to during summer.Summer is also road construction time and guess what happened this year. The Ohio Department of Transportation decided to replace three bridges heading east out of Edon. “State Route 34 will be closed for one month,” they announced last June. Ok one month of finding a new way east wouldn’t be so bad, right?Ohio winters can be tough on bridges. When the engineers started the project, they found much more damage than expected.“State Route 34 will be closed the entire route to Bryan until November.”What?To make matters worse, in July State Route 34, west toward the wonderful lake region was also closed and still remains so today. Again … [Read more...]
Nothing is Impossible for God – Lectio Divina
This is what the Lord Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God's people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty? Zechariah 8:6 (NLT) But do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty? Yes, Lord, I do act some most of the time like You can’t handle my circumstances.I feel I must be in control, not trusting in You. I give discouragement the power to overwhelm me. I allow my circumstances to make me feel small and insignificant and weak.My eyes only see the impossible, forgetting who You are.You are the Lord.You are the Lord AlmightyYou are the King of Impossibilities.Lord, as I pray this verse I see two tiny three letter words.NowButNOW all I see is impossibleBUT with God nothing is impossible.You ask me, “Do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty?”My only response: I do believe; help my unbelief. … [Read more...]
You are a Child of God – Quote of the Week – Marianne Williamson
Image by Tony Trần via FlickrChild of God - 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...]
The Wonder of the Bar-tailed Godwits
Image via WikipediaEver hear of them? The bar-tailed Godwits. I didn’t until earlier this week when I read about their incredible feat this time of year.If you saw these ordinary brown, black, and gray birds, they probably wouldn’t even draw your attention. They aren’t that pretty with their long legs and have large bills. Their name, Godwits, originates in Old English with god meaning good, and wit coming from white, meaning creature.But it is what they do this time of year that makes them unique.Every autumn the bar-tailed godwit undertakes an eight-day journey from Alaska to New Zealand. The bird flies non-stop, without once breaking the journey to rest or eat. Then when spring comes, the bar-tailed godwit makes the 7000-mile journey back to Alaska.They are the only birds known to fly this enormous amount of miles without stopping. They seem to wait until storm winds can jumpstart their journey south, but by the time they reach the equator, the winds change and they continue with … [Read more...]
Naming the Chapters of Your Life
Image by shutterhacks via FlickrI attended a one-day retreat last week on the life of Dorothy Day. We discussed her life and how God was at work in her moments even when she didn’t realize His presence. The second part of her life was spent serving and loving the poor as if they were Christ. I have read many of the books by and about Dorothy Day and always learn something new. The presenter mentioned in Day’s autobiography, The Long Loneliness, she divided her life into three periods. Then she did something very unique: Dorothy gave each of those times chapter names: Searching (her first 25 years), Natural Happiness (next 10 years) and Love is the Measure (the rest of her life)Our assignment at this retreat was to reflect on our time line and if we gave chapter names to our life, what would they be? Great reflective question.At other retreats I have drawn my lifeline out in years, noting significant events and spiritual highs and lows. I have experienced great divine mountain top … [Read more...]
Honey from Rock – Lectio Divina
"But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.” Psalm 81:16Image via WikipediaWild honey from the rockLord You amaze me.You nourish me with your best blessings and lavish me with your finest gifts.I am so very grateful.But honey from a rock? What a strange phrase. Or is it?When the hardness of the world wears me down,When strong forces resist my meager attempts to make a difference,When the weight of heavy burdens crushes me like a mass of boulders,You produce sweet delights and joy from the rock that suppresses me.I think back on situations that overwhelmed me, dragged down my spirit, and stole away all hope. All I had left were shattered pebbles of a dream in my hand.You, the God of all creation, brought forth something good from my ruins.More than good, You “satisfied” me, fill me up with Your sweetness, joy and delight.You make all things new again, not for You, but for me.How can I ever thank You enough, God of wild honey.God of … [Read more...]
More – Quote of the Week
Image by Himalayan Trails via FlickrYou are more than I expect,More than I can handle.You are more than I deserve,More than I can ever earn.You are more than my plenty,More than I can wholly contain,You are more than I believe, More than I can comprehend.Each day I receive more of YouAs You add to my abundance.Barbara Brown Taylor … [Read more...]