I enjoy watching NCIS. On this television show the main character Jethro Gibbs has rules for his team, such as always wear gloves at a crime scene and never mess with a marine’s coffee.God gives us rules to follow.Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)When you think about it, most of us live by unspoken and unwritten rules. For example, always call your mother on Mother’s Day, don’t forget to say thank you, and look both ways before crossing a street. Some families have specific rules like don’t put the ketchup bottle on the Thanksgiving table (yes, we do follow that silly one at my home)Writing down your spiritual rules can be a powerful practice. A Rule for Life is a collection of guidelines for living. It can also be called a Way of Life. Its purpose is to help us keep our sense of … [Read more...]
My Thoughts or God’s Thoughts – Lectio Divina
“For as a man thinks within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)“Thinks within.”How do I “think within” Lord? What do my thoughts reveal about my heart? About my relationship with You?Lord, my thoughts scatter.My thoughts worry.My thoughts wonder off onto desolate unmarked paths.My thoughts wrapped themselves with ego, fears, and anxiety.I give power to my thoughts instead of YouI allow them to control me with their negative nature that draw me away from You.Reminds me of a verse from my favorite Psalm:You perceive my thoughts from afar... How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! – Psalm 139: 2b, 17 As I “think within” Lord – let Your thoughts saturate my thoughts. Your thoughts lead my thinking.Your thoughts direct my attention.Your thoughts shine light on my reflections.Your thoughts fuel my imagination.Your thoughts guide my opinions.Your thoughts infuse wisdom into my foolishness.May I always reflect your presence as I “think within.” … [Read more...]
The Fire of Pentecost – Quotes
Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. It marks the birth of the Christian church and means "fiftieth day" as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter, this coming Sunday.I have been reading about Pentecost for my own meditations and collecting some quotes about this event.Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost.A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptized catechumens would wear white robes on that day, so Pentecost was often called "Whitsunday" or "White Sunday" after these white baptismal garments.On the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week, the Jews celebrated a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest. It was known by a number of different names:Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10)Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16)Day of First fruits (Num. 28:26)The "Feast of … [Read more...]
A Mother’s Tears
December 1983I remember when you were two days old. The depths of post partum depression shredded up any morsel of confidence I had as a mother - even as a mom with her third baby.I spent that day crying, overwhelmed by fears. I spent the day rocking you.I spent the day with my arms gently holding you, while I rocked in God’s arms, gently holding me.I spent that day crying.I should know what I am doing by now.What’s wrong with me?I can’t raise this child.I am not cut out for this role.Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Lord, what have YOU gotten me into? I remember Hannah and her tears as a mother. She cried out for a child and the Lord gave her Samuel. Later she brought him to the temple and dedicated him to God. “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” I Samuel .1 … [Read more...]
Listen, Watch, Wait – Lectio Divina
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)ListenWatchWaitAll passive words, Lord. I want to tell you what I want and need. I think I know the answers. I strut around believing my opinion is the most important.“Blessed are those who listen to me.”I don’t want to stand on the sidelines and watch. I want to work, play, and take part. My ego shouts that my ‘doing’ is essential. “Blessed are those who watch daily at my doors.”I rush into my day, my to-do list, my goals and dreams without You. Wait? That is so hard, I whine. Wait for Your timing? “Blessed are those who wait at my doorway.”Lord, help me let go of my babbling, my doing, and my busyness to follow You for the blessings of listening, watching and waiting. … [Read more...]
Living in a Post Trust Society
What does it mean as a Christian to live in a world where more faith is placed in skepticism and the loudest volume given to sarcasm?I recently read a blog, Living Spirituality, where the phrase “post trust society” was used. Dr. Gregory J. Laughery writes, “One of the salient features of the twenty-first century is that we are living in a post-trust culture. As I have recently mentioned, this means that our ability to trust institutions, governments, politicians, economics, and churches is coming to an end.”We no longer trust. We blame, make fun, or spew angry accusations on our political and church relationships. Twitter makes it easy to launch rumors that build unease and how simple it is to forward that sarcastic email than to send it to the trash. The thought of a post trust society raises fear in my heart. Will this lead to more violence, anarchy, and threats to security? The whole situation makes me once again aware of how little I really do control in life.I am guilty of all … [Read more...]
Dancing with The Star
“Who do you think will win?“My wife is addicted to that show.”“My daughter is pulling for that guy who plays for the Bengals.”Snippets of conversation I overheard this weekend, all concerning the television show Dancing with the Stars.Then I read this quote: “God is the lead dancer and the soul is the partner completely attuned to the rhythm and patterns set by the partner. She does not lead, but neither does she hang limp like a sack of potatoes.” Thomas Merton, quoted in Listening to the Music of the Spirit: The Art of Discernment, by David Lonsdale.Now that is the Star I want to dance with every moment of my life. My deepest desire of my heart is for God to be my lead dancer.Reminded me of the story I bet many of you are familiar with:“When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and … [Read more...]
Winner: Present Perfect Book Giveaway
We have a winner! A number was drawn randomly from the commenters ( of course not my responses!)The winner is...... KAREN!!I have your address and will put a copy of your book in the mail this week. I hope it blesses your spiritual journey.Jeanie … [Read more...]