The Potter’s Hands – Images of God

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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

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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

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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

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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...]

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...]