“You are who you were when you were ten,” my friend Diane said to me the other day. That statement fascinated and haunted me. Is it true?I think God wires us certain ways when we are created. We can learn outside and beyond those initial markings, but these often are our strengths and core passions.Who were you at age 8, 9 or 10? Thinking back I realized I was a writer and imaginative explorer. My fourth grade teacher called me a poet and gave me a special book of poetry at the end of the school year. I remember summers playing in a make believe sailboat exploring deserted islands – in reality the boat was a smaller tree with great limbs to climb through and the island, the empty lot behind my house.Now I don’t think we are locked into who we were at age ten, but if we take the time reflect on who we were as a child before all the adult masks were donned and the world told us who to be, we may discover our true selves – who God meant us to be. What do you think?Every life is a fairy … [Read more...]
God’s Strength Lectio Divina
"Go in the strength you have..." (Judges 6:14)So often, Lord I have no strength left. The world crushes my hopes and zaps my energy. I don’t think I can go on.Yet you tell me to “go in the strength” I have. Lord, when all seems hopeless, I still go on.Lord, when everything takes an effort, I still try.Lord with your help, your strength, I can take one more step, live one more day.I used to think this verse referred to my strength, but now realize I possess access to Your limitless strength.Your strength makes all the difference.I arise todayThrough the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom. I arise todayThrough God's strength to pilot me;God's might to uphold me,God's wisdom to guide me,God's eye to look before me,God's ear to hear me,God's word to speak for me,God's hand to guard me,God's way to lie before … [Read more...]
God Bless You!
Ah-Choo! And we all say "God bless you" or if you grew up in a household with a German background like I did, we immediately respond, “Gesundheit!”Ever wonder why we do this? Ancient writings as old as 77 AD mention this practice. People believed your heart stopped when you sneezed or your soul was temporarily expelled from your body. If one was quickly blessed, the devil would not have time to snatch your soul before it returned. The custom grew more in the sixth century when plague broke out. They thought if you sneezed in the morning you would be dead by night.“Gesundheit" comes from Germany, and it literally means "health." The idea is that a sneeze typically precedes illness.In Holland if you sneeze three times, tomorrow will be sunny. Others believe that a sneeze before breakfast is a sign that you will hear exciting news before the end of the day.Another belief is that people used to see sneezing as a sign that God would answer your prayers or an omen of good fortune or good … [Read more...]
Gibb’s Rules – God’s Rules – Spiritual Rules for Life
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...]