"In prayer, the heart leaps to meet with God just as a child runs to his mother's arms, ever sure that with her is the sympathy that meets every need." E.M. Bounds … [Read more...]
Is Skimming The Surface of Life an Unhealthy Spiritual Habit?
Multitasking. Busyness. Noise. All modern hassles that I often simply accept, don’t fight, and let rule my life. Part of my survival mechanism, I guess.But lately I have noticing my reading, listening and even prayer is lacking depth – I am skimming in all areas of my life.Skimming makes me look like I have it all together and am on top of things, yet something is missing. I am not taking the time to develop deep roots – roots that will nourish me through dry periods and hold me steady during the storms of life.Pete Scazzero wrote, “Skimming is the way many of us cope with multiple demands, constant pressure, and overloaded schedules. We cover a lot of ground superficially without being fully engaged.”I can blame the Internet. I read this article the other day by Nicolas Carr, author of The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, who believes the internet is changing the way we read and process information. It is a medium based on interruption – one in which we read a … [Read more...]
Weeding my Garden, my Books, and my Life
Our hot tub disappeared. My perennials conquered that corner of the garden and swallowed up the path leading to our spa. I think some thinning out of my garden is long past due. I have some friends who want starts from my backyard, so it’s time to share some flowers.I love books and books pack my shelves. We are remodeling all of our bedrooms and I am moving my office into a smaller room. One less bookshelf mandates fewer books. Time for thinning out those that I haven’t or don’t think will use. My local library that sells used books to support the Friends of the Library projects will soon have a large donation from me.My flowers are beautiful and my books are rich resources, but both have strayed from their boundaries. Time to thin them out and pass them on.Over the past month I have caught myself overflowing with negative self-talk. Useless, self-defeating habits moved in to push out my exercise routine and eating healthier. The noise of a busy day dominates my quiet time with God. … [Read more...]
Guard My Heart, Lord – Lectio Divina
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) Fear cannot win.Anxiety cannot take me over.Worry is vanquished.Nothing can penetrate the Lord’s protection.The peace of God guards my heart and mind.Lord why do I let the heaviness of the world weigh me down? Too often I forget You promised to be with me always, tenderly protecting my heart and mind in Your almighty hands.Your power is greater than anything the devil throws at me or I imagine in weak melancholy moments.The peace of God guards my heart and mind.Amazing, Lord, that what shields me is your peace.Your peace is my shelter and watchful guard.And all you ask of me is not to be anxious, but lift everything up to You in prayer.With a heart brimming over with gratitude, I thank You for your protection of peace. … [Read more...]
Disturb Us, Lord – Quote of the Week
Disturb us, Lord, whenWe are too well pleased with ourselves,When our dreams have come trueBecause we have dreamed too little,When we arrived safelyBecause we sailed too close to the shore.Disturb us, Lord, whenWith the abundance of things we possessWe have lost our thirstFor the waters of life;Having fallen in love with life,We have ceased to dream of eternityAnd in our efforts to build a new earth,We have allowed our visionOf the new Heaven to dim.Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,To venture on wider seasWhere storms will show your mastery;Where losing sight of land,We shall find the stars.We ask You to push backThe horizons of our hopes;And to push into the futureIn strength, courage, hope, and love.This we ask in the name of our Captain,Who is Jesus Christ.Francis Drake, 1577 … [Read more...]
Name That Hymn Writer
Our church just received new hymnals full of classic and contemporary songs to sing. I am happy they mixed the old and new tunes for such a wonderful blend of music styles. Let’s have some fun today and see how many hymn writers can you match with their compositions:Who wrote the following hymns? (Tried to be easy on you so most of the names are quite familiar)1. Joy to the World2. Jesus Christ is Risen Today3. Come to the Table4. A Mighty Fortress in our God5. Blessed Assurance6. It is Well with my Soul (When Peace like a River) – do you know the story behind this hymn? What a witness! 7. Hallelujah Chorus8. Amazing Grace9. All Creatures of our God and King10. Borning Cry - I had to include this hymn since I have found many are not familiar with it and it is one of my favorites Listen to it here Scroll down for the answers.Interesting as I compiled this I realized how many hymns I knew the tune to, but knew nothing about its author. Each song … [Read more...]
Increasing Embrace.
How have you changed over your lifetime? Do you see people differently? Accept them more openly? See God with new eyes?People who study human development described how we grow and change in different terminology, but I read a new description last week that intrigued me.Increasing Embrace.Psychologist Susanne Cook-Greuter describes the maturing process in terms of levels of human development with the words: "increasing embrace." As we evolve we become more inclusive, able to accept greater differences in those with others.As we develop, our level of tolerance of other peoples’ mistakes, peculiarities, and values supposedly increase. A maturing human gives up old beliefs and automatic attitudes of the mind and heart. We let go of the old self and take on new openness.Not only do we accept others with more tolerance, but ourselves also.Food for thought, isn’t it?I would like to think I am more tolerant and loving of others and myself now than previously. I hope I am a growing person … [Read more...]
Please Don’t Let my Hem Unravel, Lord – Lectio Divina
You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5Hem me in, LordThank you for being my front guard.Praise you for standing behind me.Your precious presence protects me every moment.If I move left, so do You.When I swerve to the right, you remain with me.And when I get lost and fall off the path as I so often do, You gently guide me back.Your hand never leaves me, even when I feel so alone and vulnerable.Your strength supports my weakened knees when fear invades my heart.When life unravels and become uneven, You hem me in.You protect me.You guide meYou hem me in.You shield and watch over me.The great Guard of my life. My Shelter and Lord! … [Read more...]