“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself." C.S. Lewis – Mere Christianity. … [Read more...]
Praying with Scissors
Our moms told us, “Don’t run with scissors.” Teachers warned us, “Be careful playing with scissors.” But have you ever thought of praying with scissors?I held a pair of scissors in my hands while I prayed the other day.Lord, You invited me to tenderly think and pray with scissors. What are your lessons?I smile as I drift back to kindergarten. Written on my report card are these words: “Jean Anne needs more work with scissors.”HA! I flunked ‘scissors” in that grade. Funny, Lord, you grace me with a humorous memory to begin our prayer time with some joy. I guess I still "need more work with scissors."My fingers slowly traced the blades. The sharp edges reminded me of my harsh and prickly retorts to my family. Ouch that hurt them.Lord, what do you want me to cut out? What strings do I cling to that block me giving my full heart to You. Help me sever those ties with Your sacred snip.Even up my jagged edges, Lord. Trim the useless fat that clogs my life.Scissors can be wonderfully … [Read more...]
Learning New Habits
“Ah-Choo!”Yesterday the lady in the pew in front of me sneezed. I watched her automatically cover her reaction by sneezing into the bend of her arm. Coughing into our sleeves has become the acceptable and proper way to sneeze. A proven way to control the spread of disease.Why even you-tube has a video telling the history of this new habit sweeping across the world.Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday we were all sneezing and coughing into our hands? How did we switch to this better alternative so quickly?Why are some good habits adopted faster than others?Why can’t I consistently exercise and eat healthy as easily as I have learned to cough into my sleeve?I have lots of questions and not too many answers, but this got me thinking about habits. Actually I spend some time reading and researching interesting facts about habits. A New York Times article, based upon the research by Andy Ryan says:“Rather than dismissing ourselves as unchangeable creatures of habit, we can instead direct our … [Read more...]
Seeking God’s Face – Lectio Divina
When you said, "Seek my face," my heart said to you, "Your face, O Lord, I shall seek." Psalm 27:8 (NASB)“Seek my face" Lord is this all you ask of me? To seek Your face?To look intently only upon You. To live each day not distracted by the shining lights of a flashy world.To see clearly only You. Let my vision not be clouded over by ego.To hunger only for you. Not fill the holes in my soul with empty idols.To pay attention to the subtle gentle stirring of Your spirit And avoid the jostling and jarring uneasiness of living away from You.Turning, repenting once again to face You and seek Your face.What a wonderful way to live! … [Read more...]
Our Light Within – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Quote of the Week
People are like stained - glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross … [Read more...]
Deep Pockets
Letting go and surrendering to God is difficult, especially for people like me who have a strong urge to remain in control. Not only do I have control issues, but also throughout my life I have leaned heavily and even been proud of my independence.“No I don’t need any help.”“I can do it myself.” “I can do it all.”One prayer practice that has helped me yield my ego to God is using my imagination: I place into God’s hands whatever circumstance is troubling me. I give Him my concerns and fears. I visualize placing those I pray for into His loving care.Not that this isn’t always easy. I reach out with shaking hands, open them slowly, and, to be honest, with great hesitation, let go. And not only once, but over and over again, giving God everything in prayer.Hard lesson to learn.But the other day, God stretched me even further.I heard Him whisper, “Empty your pockets.”Like watching a movie, I reached into my pants pockets, turning them inside out and spilling the hidden contents – long ago … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Astonishment
“It's possible that our primary role as humans is that of celebration. We have this destiny - and even duty - to become astonished by the universe!"—Physicist Brian Swimme.Pegge Bernecker’s words in the current issue of Listen caused me to pause and think about the role of astonishment and wonder in my life. She writes:"Why would it be valuable to cultivate the contemplative practice of astonishment? My intuition and experience inform me that our willingness to become astonished by someone or something develops compassion, integrity, kindness, creative action, forgiveness, and a heightened ability to be fully human, fully alive. I learn—maybe you do too—that when we become astonished, we:· Let go of preconceived ideas and patterns of thinking· Allow the present moment to interrupt the past and future· Engage our senses· Nurture alertness· Trust unknown possibility, mystery· Grow laughter and delight· Engage· Discover unimaginable reality· … [Read more...]
Holding my Head Up – Lectio Divina
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. Psalm 3:3 (NLT)The one who holds my head highYes, hold my head up, LordI walk around with my head lowered in shame My head heavy with shame from my sins and failure to obey.Lowering my head in humble realization who I am and who You really are.My chin touching my chest aching with battle fatigue from the world’s demands.Bu You, Lord, rescue me.You come to me – You wrapped your loving arms around me You provide strength and protection You hold my head up high.You tell me don’t be ashamed.You reassure me I am Your childAnd nothing will come between us.Not by my strength Not by my power, Not by my will But You, Only You.You, Lord, hold my head high as a child of God. … [Read more...]