March 17 is of course St Patrick’s Day when we celebrate the fifth century Christian bishop and missionary who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. I have always enjoyed this holiday though not for all the spiritual reasons. I do like those Shamrock shakes, look good in green, have Scot-Irish background, and love knowing that spring is around the corner.In researching background about St. Patrick, I learned more about a prayer attributed to him. I have read it in the past, a shorter version, but its history and longer version are worth the time to read.This prayer is called "St. Patrick's Breastplate" because of those parts of it that seek God's protection, especially protecting the heart. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. Recent researchers think its author was anonymous. In any case, this prayer certainly reflects the … [Read more...]
Nourishing our Relationships during Lent
I had the honor of assisting with a marriage retreat this past weekend. Twenty-one couples committed the time to each other to nourish the roots of their relationship. The best part of the weekend was not the material Jo, Fred and I presented, but the stories and sharing the couple themselves told. Stories that brought both laughter and tears, but always drenched in love.We shared inspirational quotes throughout the weekend and reflecting on these wonderful sayings this morning, reminded me of our other most important relationship – with God.Strengthening a marriage relationship involves more listening than talking, intentionally spending time together, and connecting. These can also serve as ways to open our heart to God. Lent is a great time to nourish our roots with God. May these quotes prime your prayers and light your love as you linger with our Lord.To love another person is to see the face of God. – Victor HugoLove does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking … [Read more...]
God’s Caution Sign – Lectio Divina
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Deuteronomy 4:9a Let them slip from your heart as long as you liveLord, you warn me to be careful.You say gently, don’t forgetDon’t let what I know to be true to slip away.I let my hands get so filled with others things I cannot cling to Your hands.I chose, yes it is my decision, to follow the shiny objects of the world instead of focusing only on You.Yet Lord you never leave me.You wait patiently, guarding me, watching me.You seek me where I stray and gently nudge me back into Your heartYou see me start to wander off Your chosen path for me and warn me – Be careful Don’t forget Don’t let them slip from your heart.Lord Your love is the Velcro around my heart to help me cling to You.Lord You are the straight and narrow road and only You keep me from falling and losing my way.You catch me when I fall.Lord You … [Read more...]
God is All in All – Quote of the Week – Thomas Merton
"Let me seek, then, the gift of silence, and poverty, and solitude, where everything I touch is turned into prayer: where the sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, the wind in the trees is my prayer, for God is all in all." Thomas Merton inThoughts in Solitude Thanks Colleen for bringing this great quote to ponder to my attention. … [Read more...]
Who Influences Your Spiritual Journey? – Book Review – From the Library of A.W. Tozer
A great practice for Lent is to dig deeper into the writings of those who feed you spiritually. To take off the shelves and dive into those writers who nourish your spirit and stretch your mind. The ones who leave you refreshed like you and God were reading the words together, side by side.Some of the best books I have discovered are ones that influenced the very writers that influenced me. I love Richard Foster and his writings led me to Thomas Kelly, Dallas Willard, and Frank Laubach. Henri Nouwen introduced me to Meister Eckhart and Brother Lawrence.Bethany House Publishers sent me a review copy of the new book compiled by James Stuart Bell titled, From the Library of A.W. Tozer – Selections from Writers who Influenced his Spiritual Journey. I was under no obligation to give it a positive review and am not compensated for my review. But I do enjoy and have read Tozer. Tozer is much studied, read, and quoted by contemporary writers now -makes you wonder, doesn’t it – who inspired … [Read more...]
Ash Wednesday – God’s Invitation to Draw Closer
This week we celebrate Ash Wednesday. I knew the basics about this first step in the Lenten season but found a few surprises when I dug deeper into its background.Ash Wednesday As early as the mid-fourth century, Christians have observed a time of preparation before the Easter celebration. The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days. The forty days of Lent recall the 40 day fast of Jesus in the wilderness after his baptism (Matthew 4:2, Luke 4:1-2) and Moses' 40 day fast on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:28). It is a time of simplicity and preparation.The principal themes of Lent are repentance, baptismal renewal, prayer, fasting, and service to others.In my Lutheran church we bring back the palms we used last Palm Sunday, burn them and use them for the ashes used on Ash Wednesday. Why ashes? Using ashes as a sign of repentance is an ancient practice, often mentioned in the Bible (e.g., Jonah 3:5-9; Job 42:6; Jeremiah 6:26; Matthew 11:21). The early Christians adopted the … [Read more...]
Listen to Jesus – Lectio Divina
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” Matthew 17: 1-5 Listen to him!I wonder, Lord, how I would react if I were Peter, James or John that day, high on the mountain.Would I be like Peter – so self-centered, only thinking of myself? “It is good for us to be here.” I am not sure if I witnessed Your transfiguration and the miraculous appearance of Moses and Elijah, standing there talking with Jesus, if I could … [Read more...]
Grateful for Ordinary Days – Quote of the Week
Normal day, Let me be aware of the treasure you are!Mary Jean Irion … [Read more...]