Winter is my least favorite time of year. This time of year enfolds me with a sense of emptiness and loss of hope. My mood reflects the dreary gray winter sky that blanket northwest Ohio.But the last few years I see winter with new eyes and a renewed appreciation of its beauty and purpose. I am surprised at this new phenomenon and the joy I have discovered in it stark loveliness. Bird nests were the first indication of seeing winter in a new way. My eyes were drawn to them. I saw them everywhere. Tree branches, now barren, allowed me to see them where they were hidden before. Every time I looked up, multiple bird nests materialized. They beckoned me, “Look at me, I have something to tell you.” In His mysterious way, God began to invite me to wonder about these empty and barren nests. The nests were not just empty, but represented hollow vacant cups, waiting to be filled. Instead of focusing on what they did not have, they remained open, ready to hold new life that was yet … [Read more...]
Ten Simple Prayers
Too often we complicate prayer. We stop and think hard, forcing ourselves to find just the right words, only to stammer because we can’t utter any words. Or are our ordinary words not big or magnificent enough to use for God? “Pray as you can, not as you can’t” – Dom ChapmanSimple prayer is simply telling God whatever is on your heart – the frustration with a family member, whining about the church music, quietly crying over a heartache or jumping up and down with joy and celebration.“Simple prayer involves ordinary people bringing ordinary concerns to a loving and compassionate Father.” Richard FosterThe Bible contains many rich examples of prayer. I will pray some of the shorter, simpler ones when I don’t really know how or what to pray. May these ten simple prayers from the Bible bless your prayer time:1. I do believe, help my unbelief. Mark 9:242. Give light to my eyes Psalm 13:33. O Lord; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up. Psalm … [Read more...]
Failing God, Failing Myself – Lectio Divina
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:15-18 (NIV)ChristianPhotos.Net - Free High Resolution Photos for Christian PublicationsFor I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it outLord I failed you this week.The growing gnawing in my stomach told me something was not right.Then without warning, someone noticed my little indiscretion, asked about it and wow, a glaring spotlight on my hidden sin.I am sorry.I am wrong.I will make it right.Why is it that I thought as long as I didn’t get caught, my misconduct could slip by unnoticed?I am so ashamed to admit I probably would have continued down that dark path if someone hadn’t … [Read more...]
Creating Space for God – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
In the spiritual life, the word 'discipline' means 'the effort to create some space in which God can act'. Discipline means to prevent everything in your life from being filled up. Discipline means that somewhere you're not occupied, and certainly not preoccupied… to create that space in which something can happen that you hadn't planned or counted on.Henri Nouwen … [Read more...]
The Potter’s Hands – Images of God
Reading other blogs and newsletters, many goal setters select a word or three words to guide their year. I haven’t had much luck with this idea until this year when the word – Formation – kept bubbling up in my heart.So in 2011, I am pondering the word: Formation.Yet soon images bombarded me: The Potter’s Hands. So not only do I have a word for the year, I now have an image."O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8Look at these images:Lord you are so tender and loving in my formation. I trust you.Lord you know just the right place to apply pressure to form me in Your image. You will not fail me.Lord I look at Your hands, so covered with all the stuff and muck of my sinful self that hinders my growth. Thank you for removing it even if it hurts.Smooth my rough edges, Lord. I bend to Your skillful handiwork.I don't know where God is leading me with this word and these images but I will ponder them and listen.Do you … [Read more...]
Love and War: Devotional for Couples: Book Review
Next March I am helping to lead a retreat on marriage. Those attending have good marriages and are seeking ways to strengthen their connections. Topics are communication, vision, sex, and, of course, spirituality. I have been gathering material for the spirituality section since that is one I am leading and found this small devotional that I plan to recommend - Love and War by John and Stasi Eldridege. The tag line is “The eight week adventure that will help you find the marriage you always dreamed of.” This is a companion book for the full-length book of the same title, but you don’t have to read that in order to enjoy the devotional. Each week there is a different emphasis such as Remembering What We Wanted, the Journey, Companionship, and Your Spouse is Not your Enemy.Each devotion starts with a Bible verse, a meditation, a prayer, and an exercise to try. Easy to read and very practical. A great resource for couples. This book will help you see God in your marriage and … [Read more...]
Treasuring God’s Word – Lectio Divina
I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.Psalm 119:11I treasure your word in my heartLord I have heard You in my heart.Lord, I have felt Your nudge.Lord I feel Your spirit to try To try once again memorizing Your Word.Learning Your verses by heart honors the treasure You have given us.But You know I struggle to even remember to work on this, let alone recall the words.But You gently remind me to try once again to hold my heart out to You and cherish Your guidance.I write out Your verse; I say in aloud; I post it by my desk.Each word, every phrase takes on new life and jumps from the post-it note into my soul.I savor each word slowly, scanning for nuggets of wisdom from wisdom’s Source.I see You in every letter. My heart moves with every word. The verse is an irresistible magnet, the verse drawing me closer to You.Yes Lord I willYes Lord I treasure Your word in my heart. … [Read more...]
Make Me a Vessel – Musical Quote of the Week
I have been praying this song this week. Lyrics by Chris Sligh Hear it here while watching a beautiful photos: Safe inside your hands you hold mePain and tribulations mold meI try to run away from youThe pain's too great you put me throughI find myself on my knees to prayThen you hear the words you long for me to sayMake of me a vessel that you can always useNo matter how you break me, what I win or what I loseLet me be a vessel pure and holy, perfect in your eyesLord, hear me when I cry, for you to make me, a vesselDeep inside my heart you've shown meDespite all my sins you've known meI try to run away againI break your heart with all my sinI fall to you with tear-filled eyesI run to you with broken heart and cryMake of me a vessel that you can always useNo matter how you break me, what I win or what I loseLet me be a vessel pure and holy, perfect in your eyesLord, hear me when I cry, for you to make me, a vesselMake me into what you want for me to beOh, Lord, may my prayer beMake of … [Read more...]