Sleepless Nights – God Nudges

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I couldn’t sleep last night.Moving to the front room, I snuggled under the afghan and tried to pray. My scattered mind drifted from the Lord over and over again, a result of crazy schedules and unexpected events this week. Ok, Lord, at least I can thank You for this week.At midnight I rise to give you thanks Psalms 119:62Thank You for my kids’ good news at work…for a safe drive home tonight….for willing friends who stopped by to help move a piece of heavy furniture…Oh, look there is my IPod Touch. Let’s play….       Yes, I lost focus once again.Turning it on, I clicked on the Facebook icon.   Last message, just five minutes earlier was from my second daughter, Katie:“Can't sleep again! Really wishes she could talk with her mommy!”I wrote back. I am up too.Immediately, she called.Overwhelmed by fears of the unknown, out of control emotions, and a jumble of excitement, joy, and “oh, no, what have we done?” – Katie told me she is expecting twins.Twins!Twice blessed!Dramatic change in … [Read more...]

In Constant Prayer – Book Review

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Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2Prayer is the foundation for our spiritual walk. I like what Oswald Chambers wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.”  In Constant Prayer is the newest book by Robert Benson and I am happy to add it my bookshelf next to other books I have by him: Venite and A Good Life.In Constant Prayer explains the pattern of prayer and worship called the Daily Office. This ancient practice is also known as the liturgy of the hours, fixed hour prayer, the divine office, the divine hours and daily prayer. It is the discipline of praying at fixed times throughout the day and night. Though its structure may not appeal to everyone, we are all called to deeper communion with God and this is certainly one way to open our hearts to hear God better.Benson writes in a warm friendly style like you are having a cup of coffee with him discussing ways to pray. He … [Read more...]

Keeping our Eyes on God – Lectio Divina

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"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
 2 Chronicles 20:12b (NIV)Our eyes are upon you.Lord I want to live with my eyes only on You.When I focus on You, I know where I am going with a profound sense of peace.Like Peter walking on the water – doing the impossible with you and only when keeping you as the center.Like Peter, I take my eyes off when the threatening waves of the world and my ego’s fears and anxieties distract me.Holy Spirit, help me concentrate more on You and less on those shiny commotions disturbing my periphery.Stay my center, LordMy centerMy focal pointMy Lord. … [Read more...]

New Year Anxiety or Abundance?

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A year ago I was scared.Last year mark the end of a decade for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved telling people if I had know how good the 50s were going to be I would have rushed to them sooner. I grew as a writer and spiritually walked closer to God. My kids evolved into wonderful adults seeking their own adventures. My hubby and I both retired and open new fulfilling chapters in life.  Would the 60s be as good?I was scared.But looking back, this last year has not been bad at all. I accomplished several items from my bucket list (a hot air balloon ride and finishing my Associate in Ministry requirement for the Lutheran church). Tried new recipes and saw new places. And learned a valuable lesson when a dream was dashed against the rocks that putting the broken pieces in God’s hands leads to healing.Maybe that is one reason I like the start of the new year.  The energy and excitement of fresh new chapter in life.  The anticipation, though with some anxiety, of the blessings ahead.  … [Read more...]

New Year – Looking Back and Looking Forward

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January is the month of “Janus.” Janus was the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions – a good image of this first month of the year.  One face looks back on the year gone and the other looks forward to the new and uncertain one ahead. January is a reflective month – an opportunity to look back at the year behind us – letting go of our regrets and celebrating our joys, then we look forward also into the coming months. Many of us make well-meaning resolutions and hope we can achieve at least some of them.January is a transition time. – the liminal space between two years.  William Bridges wrote a wonderful and interesting book about transitions, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changesand The Way of Transition. Transition is a the process of letting go of the way things used to be and then taking hold of the way they subsequently become. One of his concepts I appreciated learning was the three phases of change/transitions:EndingThe … [Read more...]

My Goals but God’s Determination – Lectio Divina

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"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."
Proverbs 16:9The Lord determines his steps.I reviewed 2010, Lord, reflecting on my joys, my challenges, and my failures.I asked Your help in planning ahead – what to work on.  How to grow.  What to try in 2011.I created the list, hopefully with Your help.It is complete.Except for one final action.I lift up the coming year into Your hands, Lord.My hopes.My goals.My dreams.I plan, strategize, prepare, and try my best to arrange the future to Your… No, I will be honest and say this openly. I try my best to control the future to MY liking. My heart hesitates to fully release 2011 to You.It is hard, Lord to fully trust You. I know I should, but my ego still thinks it holds the power to influence the future. Deep down, I think I have the strength to be in charge. Part of me knows the truth, yet I cling to human power instead of fully letting go of my life to divine determination. My deepest desire is not to be … [Read more...]