November 29 begins the new church year with the season of Advent. Here are some interesting facts about Advent: The word Advent, from Latin, means “the coming.” For centuries, Advent has been a time of spiritual reflection as well as cheer and anticipation.Advent is the beginning of the church calendar year since the fourth century. Originally, it was a time when converts to Christianity readied themselves for baptism.Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.More recently some churches, including my own, use the Blue as the liturgical color. Why the switch? Advent is a season of preparation that anticipates both Bethlehem and the consummation of history in the second coming of Jesus Christ. Since this anticipation is characterized by hope -- in contrast to the repentance characteristic of Lent -- the color for the season should not be purple, with its mood … [Read more...]
Three Thoughts about Thankfulness – 2009 Thanksgiving Reflection
The United States celebrates a day of Thanksgiving this week. Many families pause and share something they are thankful for as they stuffed themselves with food, football, and family.Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (New International Version)What? In all circumstances? Come on, God, you don’t really mean that, do you? I am supposed to give thanks for everything – even the crummy, dirty, unfair stuff? I try to remember to show my appreciation when good things happen and even remember some of the time to shot up a “hey thanks, God” for some of the ordinary events in life, but really God, in ALL things?Oswald Chambers reminds us that “The best measure of the spiritual life is not its ecstasies, but its obedience.”Difficult, isn’t it? I have a long way to go in learning to express thanks, but here are three thoughts about Thanksgiving that are nurturing a spirit of gratitude within me.Pay Attention for Times to be … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – November 22, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
My Conditional Love and God’s Unconditional Love
Once a month I help to facilitate the spiritual formation of a small group of people called to be spiritual directors. This past weekend we discussed Gerald May’s book Will and Spirit. This book fed my soul and mind in numerous ways, but one section in particular resonated in my heart.Buried in the middle of his chapter on love, he lists ways we get confused about our understanding of love.One obstacle May writes is “expecting unconditional love from human beings” and the second one: “expecting conditional love from God.”Suddenly upon hearing those phrases, though among many, I sat alone with God. What does this mean, Lord? Why did those phrases so deeply touch my spirit?Expecting unconditional love from human beings will set us up for failure, anger, bitterness and discouragement. We just can’t do it as humans, yet I know I have too many times sought that connection with others fully expecting to find what I am hungering for. Then I begin to wonder: what did I do wrong? What can’t … [Read more...]
Does God Giggle? A Prayer for Spiritual Silliness
Dear Creator God, I am in awe of all you have made – the morning sun, the majestic mountains, and the shimmering seas.The Bible tells me we are created in your image. I cling to that promise when I wear the mask of piety or struggle to be loving.When I kiss my granddaughter’s neck and tickle her tummy, she erupts with a glorious giggle. Her infectious laugh causes me to wonder: if you are THE creator, does that mean you also invented giggles? Do you giggle?You waved your hand and the universe was born. You designed the order of stars and planets and how things on earth grow and multiply. We stand in speechless amazement of your handiwork yet I think this innovative time was full of joy for you.Did you smile when you developed the prototype of the elephant and decided to exchange its long tail and short nose with a short tail and long nose?Did you kick up the dust with a cheering skip with when you threw like Frisbees, not one, not two but multiple rings around Saturn?Were you thrilled … [Read more...]
Weekend Reflections on the Word of God – November 15, 2009
Lectio Divina - a holy reading of the Bible slowly, savoring it, and enjoying it with the Lord – is the spiritual practice of sacred reading of the scriptures. The intention is not to learn or gain information but to deepen our relationship with God. St Benedict encourages us to “to listen with the ear of our hearts.”Join me once a week for Lectio Divina. I will share a verse and a word that spoke to my heart. Read and listen to the verses here. And gently ask God for a word or phrase that speaks to your heart for that day – that is what lectio means. Once we find that gift, we hold it, meditate, and savor its meaning. This step is called meditation.Then offer that word back to God in prayer or the third step of oratio. In prayer we allow our real selves to be touched and changed by the word of God.Finally, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded … [Read more...]
Making a Difference through Simple Compassion
What difference can I make? How can I show compassion? What is my role in fighting injustice in the world?I just read a new book by Keri Wyatt Kent, titled Simple Compassion- Devotions to Make a Difference in your Neighborhood and your World. This book contains 52 devotional readings about compassion that could use individually or by a small group. Each chapter contains Biblical references and ends with action steps. A leader’s guide is also printed for small group reference.The book offers inspiration and motivation to explore how God is calling each of us to grow hearts full of compassion. What a refreshing way to approach a topic like this that should be rooted in prayer and meditation by having an only a once a week reading. This creates space to open our hearts to how God is calling us and our eyes to fully see injustice surrounding us.Two quotes I especially liked are: “If the goal of Christian spiritual formation is to become more Christ-like, then I should be more … [Read more...]
Five “What” Questions to Nurture Spiritual Growth
I believe God loves questions. He planted inside each of us a curiosity and he graciously is willing to receive our questions. He even is generous enough to hear some of the same questions over and over and over again.I ask questions all the time when talking with God. Of course I don’t always wait for his answer but that is another story. I have slowly learned to accept that mystery of unanswered questions that dominate much of our lives here on earth.Jesus asked many questions: Why do you worry? What can you give? Why are you afraid? What do you want? Who do you say that I am?Personally I am fond of the What questions.The question that asks Where could also be a fun one to explore.I know the Who – GodI don’t think we are to know When since we aren’t in charge, God is.I am not sure we will ever know the Why until we are in heaven and maybe not then.Here are five “what” questions that recently have been surfacing in my prayers, Bible study, and meditations:1. What does that mean? Any … [Read more...]