“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil and my cup is running over. Psalm 23: 5 Shepherd Lord, these words continue to draw me close to you. Their wisdom shapes me beyond expectation. Every time I read them or say them from heart I hear something new. I find you in the small words, the incredible words, the spaces between the words. The word “enemies” stopped me today. I learned last week on retreat that when the word “enemies” is used in the Psalms it is often not just those outside of us attacking us but also the inner adversaries. And my private opponents are many. Doubts Discouragement Fear The list is long, too long but as you prepare a feast for me (for me?), all my submerged faults and foes are present too. I don’t have to conceal them from you. You know they are there. Not only there but you invite them also to the banquet. Does that mean you love all of me, Lord? The good, the bad, the ugly, the warts and … [Read more...]
Growing – Quote of the Week – Joyce Rupp
“While there is tremendous potential for growth in a seed, of itself, it does not do the growing. It is the sun and rain, it is the nutrients of the soil that help the energy held in the seed to awaken and stretch outward into life." Joyce Rupp … [Read more...]
Honoring the Legacy of Women that Impact our Lives
Mothers’ Day is joyous for many of people. They have much to celebrate when their relationship with a mom or as a mother is good. Usually food, good memories and remembering to express thanks and love is part of the day. But Mother’s day can also be difficult reminder. Some of our mothers have long been gone due to death or family difficulties. Others may have more recently lost their mom and hearts still ache. Maybe the only gift you have from your mom is a life long legacy of hurt. Some women are not mothers, many not by choice and this holiday stings and burns. No matter how you approach, ignore or celebrate this holiday – let's take a moment to honor the legacy of women in our lives. Even if that woman isn’t a mother or even related to you, most of us have had women who encouraged us, cared and inspired us and generally made a difference for us. My mom has been gone for 38 years. Wow, I gasped when I realized how long ago she died - in some ways a lifetime and in others, … [Read more...]
Spiritual Practice of Going On Retreat
Going on retreat is an essential spiritual discipline for me. Time for silence and learning informs the mind and forms the spirit. I leave refreshed, renewed, transformed – not quite the same as I arrived. I have always heard and wanted to attend the Upper Room’s Five Day Academy as they seemed to share my heart for spiritual formation and growth. My opportunity finally came around last week in Henry Illinois. This retreat provided time of silence, worship, music, laughter, walking and learning. The two presenters were Dr. Don Saliers, a scholar of worship and Rabbi Chava Bahle. Both speakers fed our minds and souls but I must say, Rabbi Chava was one of the best inspirational and moving speakers I have ever heard. I felt like I was sitting at the feet of a teacher full of wisdom. I gained a deeper understanding and love for the Jewish faith, our roots, our Judeo-Christian heritage. I learned new insights to the Jesus’s faith and what shaped him. I became more knowledgeable of … [Read more...]
Set My Heart on Fire– Lectio Divina
Back and forth they talked. “Didn’t we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?” Luke 24: 32 The Message Lord, set my heart ablaze for your Word. I yearn for a deeper thirst to study and know your scriptures. Set them on fire and sear their meaning within me. Awaken each action and animate each article. Help me hear the crunch as Adam and Eve bite into the fruit. Taste the salt of the sea rising around Noah. Feel the heat of Moses’ burning bush. Strike my tambourine with Miriam as we cross the sea of reeds. Lay before you, shedding tears with Hannah. Wrap Joseph’s coat of many colors around me. Sing with David’s harp in praise and lament. Sit at Solomon’s feet immersed in his wisdom Gather grain with Ruth on a hot summer day. Sit in the darkness of a whale’s belly with Jonah. Witness your glory with Isaiah. Like Jeremiah, mold me, dear Potter, like clay. Wake me with delightful singing angels as the shepherds were at … [Read more...]
To Pray – Quote of the Week – Madeleine L’Engle
To pray is to listen, to move through my own chattering to God, to that place where I can be silent and listen to what God may have to say. –Madeleine L'Engle … [Read more...]
The Chronological Bible – A Fantastic Bible Study Tool
Ever read a chronological Bible? I’ve seen them, but never really dug into their pages before until now. I had the chance to review the NIV Chronologic Study Bible from Thomas Nelson and jumped at the chance. A chronological Bible lists the events in the order that they actually occurred. I really like this Bible. Now I must tell you at first the order of the books is jarring if you know the traditional table of contents of God’s word. Finding a verse or even a whole book was disorienting. I had to study the study bible to understand its arrangement. I quickly learned to watch the top of each page for the year and passage reference. For example don’t open to the middle to find the book of Psalms. The psalms were written over a span of many years so you will find Psalm 90 in the middle Deuteronomy. They are scattered throughout other books. The four gospels are merged into one reading – as aspect I really like. You see the scripture in a whole new perspective reading the words in … [Read more...]
Gossip
Gossip needn't be false to be evil — there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around. ~Frank A. Clark This quote hit me hard this week. See I learned a lesson about gossiping – one you would think I would know by now. I saw a friend I used to work with before we both retired. We were sharing friendly updates about each other when I trip down the gossip grotto. “Did you hear _______ stepped down from her position but is still working there in a new position?” My friend hasn’t heard that news and we both wondered what happened. Last week I ran into my friend again. She said she ran into ______ who was shocked to hear that rumor and said it wasn’t true. Mmm, my conscious alarm went off as I realized I passed on a false tale. Just being friendly is no excuse for talking about someone. There was no purpose in sharing that info. Yep, I gossiped! Gossip has been defined as repeating something you have not right to repeat. I am guilty and I am not proud of it either. … [Read more...]