"As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their 'right' place." Henri Nouwen … [Read more...]
Catching God’s Vision with Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) and a 21st Century Man
I interview a young man this week who moved back to this rural area after living in New York for six years. He sought ‘home’ and ‘community’ and a safe place to raise his family. Perhaps what impressed me the most was how he looked at his hometown. I saw closed and empty storefronts, high unemployment, and a struggling school district. He saw historic architecture, a town full of potential, and rich in history. He has vision.As I entered my car to come home, I looked up at the buildings admiring their style and saw with new eyes and appreciation this place he calls home.Today is the commemoration of Hildegard of Bingen, a remarkable visionary, and a woman ahead of her time from the Middle Ages. I wrote about her in a post last March, but will repeat a little of her story today as we remember and honor her. Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098. The tenth child of a noble family, she was dedicated at birth to the church as was the custom of the day. At age eight she was sent to … [Read more...]
Simple Instructions from God
God has quite a sense of humor. I had been yapping at God all morning. How come I don’t understand Your ways? What is my next step? Why can’t I hear You? Why do You make everything so complex and difficult? I need an operating manual for life, Lord!Then I saw the answer – a simple, clear response - while I filled my tank up with gas:1. Know the payment plan – God has already paid the price with His Son, Jesus. My heart melted as I realized once again the cost of His sacrifice in light of my shameful, minor whining and complaints. Daily, even moment-by-moment – I offer my heart up to the Lord with gratitude for His gifts, grace, and forgiveness.2. Follow instructions. My job is just to follow His instructions. I am reminded about the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. God commanded Joshua, not to tear the wall down – that was His job. Joshua’s job was just to obey God’s simple instruction to march around the walls each day. My job is to listen to God and follow His … [Read more...]
Yielding to You, Lord – Lectio Divina
Do not now be stiff-necked, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 30:8YieldLet me yield myself to you Lord.Take my whole being - every inch of me – my heart, my hands, my breath, my mind, my will – my every cellStrange to give back to you the gifts You’ve given me. YieldLet me melt into your being.May others see You in me.Less of me, more of You.YieldYou know me better than I know myself, so why do I hesitate? Take me now before my ego snatches my intention and tosses me back into the chaotic world.Every day I approach Your throne and yield.Daily, minute by minute – I am Yours.YieldWhat a lovely word and ideal way to live.Like the soft, pliable clay in the skilled artist hands, shape my life as You design, Lord. Knead my heart, Lord, to stretch and grow with the yeast from heaven.I rest in Your strong grip. Yield … [Read more...]
Basic Human Needs – Quote of the Week
“Many people are hungry not for bread only, but they are hungry for love. Many people are not only naked for want of a piece of cloth, but they are naked for human dignity .Homelessness is not only not having a home made of bricks, buthomelessness is being rejected, unwanted, unloved, uncared for.People have forgotten what the human touch is, what it is to smile, for somebody to smile at them, somebody to recognize them, somebody to wish them well.”- Mother Teresa … [Read more...]
Nourishment for a Healthy Spiritual Life
“So, the paradox of prayer is that it asks for a serious effort while it can only be received as a gift. We cannot plan, organize or manipulate God; but without a careful discipline, we cannot receive him either.” (Henri J. M. Nouwen. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life) Just as Nouwen describes prayer as a paradox of gift and self-discipline, nurturing our spiritual health is also a contradiction of terms. No matter how we work, struggle, and strive to be closer to God, it is His movement to embrace us that draws us into His heart. I read a new resource this week that is helpful in creating space in our lives for God. The book is called Soulistry – Artistry of the Soul – Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality by June Mack Maffin. Using one of my favorite practices – journaling, Maffin provides 80 inspirational quotes and spiritual reflection questions to explore. She writes, “Journal writings are meant to be personal conversations - with … [Read more...]
Pondering Prayer
Jane Vennard wrote a paper, “Exploring a Life of Prayer” in December 1990. I reread this article the other day and still continue to unearth treasures from her writing. One of my deepest desires to is live a life of prayer and Vennard’s words helped me grow deeper. Vennard describes various types of prayers, including thought provoking questions. Her final questions lingered with me this week:* What is the easiest and most natural form of prayer for you?* What would be a realistic rhythm of prayer for you? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Would it be possible to schedule a yearly retreat?* Remember times you have wandered from your practice of prayer. What was the experience of being lost and then finding your way again?The easiest and most natural form of prayer for me is simple talking with God. I chat with Him all day – yes naturally I do all the talking and have had to intentionally work on the listening side. Paying attention to what God is saying to me is a lifelong lesson.I have … [Read more...]
Focus – Lectio Divina
“Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you.” (Proverbs 4:25, NAS)Let your eyes look directly aheadLord, my eyes wander.They look longingly to places that appear greener and more appealing than where You have planted me.They lust after the successes and riches of others.They roam looking for distracting paths and easy streets.I focus on the negative, the crisis and the urgent. I strive to keep mopping the water spilling all over the floor instead of looking up and simply turning off the faucet. My attention drifts from focusing only on You and what You have set before me.Proverbs corrects my vision by bringing the spotlight back onto You.You direct me to fix my gaze straight ahead where You lead.You lead. I follow.When I keep my eyes only on You, I don’t stray off your given path.You are the way. The only way.You alone.You. … [Read more...]