Self-discovery and reflection are surprising spiritual disciplines. But God knows us better than we know ourselves and learning to be our true selves, as God created us, is a lifelong discovery we are all called to do.I recently received Mark Batterson’s new book, Soul Print, as a blogger book reviewer for Multnomah. I enjoy reading this type of book that doesn’t focus on being self centered in our exploring our true identities, but God focused in living lives for Him.“You are unlike anyone who has ever lived. But that uniqueness isn’t a virtue. It’s a responsibility. Uniqueness is God’s gift to you and uniqueness is your gift to God you owe it to yourself to be yourself. But more important, you owe it to the One who designed you and destined you.”This book empowers the reader to look deeper and discover the joy of who you are and the freedom of who you are not. Batterson fills this easy to read book with interesting stories and thought provoking questions. You can tell he loves the … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Road to Emmaus
Do you have a favorite Bible Story? One that draws you back to read and read again?The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus after Christ’s crucifixion is one story that I continually discover new insights that touch my heart and feed my soul. Often when I don’t know what to read I meditate on my favorites verses to guide my path.Oswald Chambers used a verse from this passage in My Utmost for His Highest on the February 7 entry:“But we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.” Luke 24:21Chambers writes, “Spiritual lust causes me to demand an answer from God instead of seeking God Himself who gives the answer…The purpose of prayer is that we get a hold of God, not the answer…If we will only obey and do the task that He has placed closest to us, we will see Him.” Chambers asks us what have we been praying for, expecting an answer from God? Is today the ‘third day” and God still has not done … [Read more...]
God Knows our Hearts – Lectio Divina
He knows the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21He knows the secrets of the heart.Lord, You know my heart. You see what is deep inside of me. You wired me, You molded me and understand me better than I understand myself.And just think: You still love me.You see every dark nook and cranny. The tiny bits of dust hidden in the corner. The holes I can’t mend and the stains I can’t remove.And You still love me.You are aware of my strengths, that I do try at times to follow only You.You also get my weaknesses, when I wander from your pasture into a dangerous world.Your light penetrates every corner of my being.And You still love me.I slink into my closet, hiding from Your love.I turn my back, close my eyes, and hang up the ‘private” sign on my heart.I tuck away secrets – my dreams, my desires and my lustful ways – into dark pockets.And You still love me.Thank You, Lord. Thank You for taking all of me into Your boundless, loving arms.Thank You for shining Your gentle light and … [Read more...]
Prayer – Thomas A Kempis – Quote of the Week
Grant me, O Lord, to know what I ought to know, to love what I ought to love, to praise what delights you most, to value what is precious in your sight, to hate what is offensive to you. Do not allow me to judge according to the sight of my eyes, nor to pass sentence according to the hearing of my ears; but to discern with a true judgment between things visible and spiritual, and above all things, always to inquire what is the good pleasure of your will.Thomas a Kempis … [Read more...]
Winter Psalm – Joyce Rupp and the 2011 Blizzard
Quite a bit of snow blanketed in my area this week and the news tells me many of you experienced the same blizzard. As you know I am not a fan of winter, yet there is a stark beauty to this.Joyce Rupp wrote a psalm about winter that fits the weather this week. Its words drew me out of my self-pitiful whining about the weather to new perspective of its beauty. *Prayer: Psalm for a Winter Day*Lord God, creator of all seasons and ages,I praise you for all that is beautiful in this winter day of February coldness:the strong, black patterns of trees standing tall,the utter whiteness of snow as it layers the lawn,the stillness broken only by the sound of a brave snowbird,the bush under the rainspout drenched in ice.Oh, all that is glistening with cold this morning, praise the Lord!All creatures snuggled away in nests, caves, and trees, praise the Lord!Oh, all peoples bundled in winter wear, scurrying to work, praise the Lord!Cars, trucks, and buses chugging along the freeway, praise the … [Read more...]
God’s Eyes
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. ~Anaïs NinAs regular readers of this blog knows, I have some of most honest, open conversations with God in the middle of the night. My restless prayers this past weekend focused on seeing people and situations through God’s eyes, not mine.My perspective is blurry, out of focus, and often skeptical. I see only the broken sharp pieces of ragged glass, not what God sees: the completed magnificent stained glass masterpiece.Lord, help me see as You see.Awaken my heart to others longing to be noticed.Shake my complacency to notice where they hurt.Slow me down so I notice, actually pay attention, to whoever is in front of me and look at them with love.Lord, help me hear as You hear.My ears are clogged with my own thoughts, fears, and chatter.I know You hear the deeper meanings hidden in conversations reflecting hurt, loneliness, and pain that I fail to comprehend. Lord, help me feel as You feel.I hesitate in fear You will answer this … [Read more...]
“If you say so, Lord, I will” – Lectio Divina
Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke 5:5Yet if you say so.Lord, over the past year, You and I have been talking about this journey you invited me to take within the church.I felt alone. Lost. Unclear. Not sure where I was headed. With little direction except for Your persistent call to proceed.I worked hard like Simon did when he said, “Master, we have worked all night long.”Simon sounded weary too.I felt like I was accomplishing nothing.“but have caught nothing.”For a long time I couldn’t hear Your whisper or felt Your guidance, I just kept plowing forward, one step in front of another.“Yet if you say so, I will.” Simon said.“Yet if you say so, I will” became my prayer.I don’t know where this will lead. All I know You said, “finish what you began.” Very much like “put down your nets.”Lord, I don’t know if I will catch so many fish my nets will begin to break, but I do know … [Read more...]
Seasonal Reflection – Quote of the week – Andrew Wyeth
"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape-the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show."- Andrew Wyeth … [Read more...]