Michelle DeRusha’s memoir Spiritual Misfit – A Memoir of Uneasy Faith releases today and let me tell you her missive, her message in this book is massive. I love her honesty and her humor in telling the story of her faith. This book will bring a smile to your face and faith to your heart. Every one has a story, but many times we don’t share our inner struggles, our doubts and even the times when we feel ashamed of our unbeliefs. In this book Michelle describes her time of wearing the masks we think others want us to see and how revealing our raw selves leads to discovering our true selves we find only in Christ. I really liked this book. We can be brought to tears by hearing someone’s dramatic testimony while our own faith lies idle, growing at a snail’s pace that often we can’t see. Michelle shares her faith walk that shows us, there is a path laid out for us that God is unfolding in his magnificent way. Thanks, Michelle for reminding me of this! The poet Rainer Marie Rilke … [Read more...]
A Donkey and a Colt – Lectio Divina
“Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt wither; untie them and bring them to me…The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt and put their cloaks on them.” Mathew 21: 2,7 Wait, Lord, there were two donkeys? A mother and a colt? Lord, I love it when something new pops out of your Word and pokes my spirit, waking me up. Why a mother and her colt? I know the Old Testament prophesized about riding on a colt, but I never imagined two donkeys that day. I wonder if they were frightened. I wonder if they knew. I wonder if Jesus whispered into their ears, thanking them. Is there a meaning to two donkeys? Learning to sharing celebrations with others? Learning to help to carry burdens with others? If I were God you would have entered Jerusalem as a King – in a regal carriage or on a prancing stallion. But you knew better, Lord. You knew how the story would soon … [Read more...]
Teach me, Earth – An Ute Prayer
Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep with rain. — Ute prayer … [Read more...]
Palm Sunday Ponderings
We are having a parade this weekend at church in celebrating Palm Sunday. I get to help lead the children in, waving their palms and shouting Hosanna. One of the few times they get to yell in church! I want to find one of those foam “number one” gloves to wear. Jesus is number one! Well at least he was the day he rode into Jerusalem to the praise of the crowds. Before everything changed from cheers to jeers. From hailing a king to crucifying the King. From adoration to abandonment. That finger that pointed heavenly, praising Jesus suddenly became a finger pointing to crucify him. In the midst of celebration and good times, the truth of the rest of Holy Week weighs on my heart. I know what is coming. I wondered about the custom of starting this holy time of year with this story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The celebration of Palm Sunday originated in the Jerusalem Church, around the late fourth century. By the fifth century, the Palm Sunday … [Read more...]
Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?
The last few weeks the melody of the old spiritual “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” has been echoing in my mind and heart. Its words haunt me. My emotions this Lenten season verge closer to solemn sadness when I ponder how much Jesus suffered. I realized how often I want to jump over these verses of the Bible and rush into the celebration of Easter morning. I missed the lessons in the whip, the crown of thorns, the ridicule, the horror of the cross and the silence of Holy Saturday. So I trudge through Bible verses I normally skim. I pause and listen to their rawness. I sit amazed at his forgiveness and defeat of death and sin. My answer to the question - Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? – is, well at least I am closer now than before. This hymn originates from the African-American slaves in the early 1800s. The lyrics reflect the terrors the slaves endured. Full of emotion I think we all “tremble” as we sing it and realize the reality of … [Read more...]
Thank You for Hearing Me, Lord – Lectio Divina
“Jesus looked upward and said, “Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me...” John 11: 41-42a Lord of the Universe, how your ears must ring and your heart overflows with the prayers of the world. You watch over the sparrow and observe the ants. World leaders bow their heads to you; parents cry out for help. The trees dance in your honor and the birds sing your praise. Majestic choirs tell of your love and you smile at the soft bedtime prayers of a young child. Thank you for listening, Lord. For hearing my repetitive prayers, my concerns, and my whining. For celebrating with me with good news and staying by my side when I fall. Your attentiveness to each of us reflects just a portion of your endless unconditional love. It is hard to comprehend that with all the noise, talk, racket and clamor heading towards heaven, you hear each individual whisper. You tenderly gather each word, spoken and unspoken. You collect each … [Read more...]
A New Serenity Prayer – James Martin – Quote of the Week
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I'm clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked. And while you're at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I'm not you, which means I'm not perfect. It's better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you'll no doubt remember me saying, I can't change anyway. Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I'm clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they're talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers. Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I'm not you. James Martin … [Read more...]
A Letter to Spring
Dear Spring, Welcome back. You were sorely missed, especially after the tough winter we had in the Midwest. I am empty from this past chilly time of year and yearn to see the world come alive. I know you aren’t fully here yet, but I see you tease me of your arrival as you drop hints of your slow emergence. You are my favorite time of year. I learn so much from all the seasons, but find hope when I spend time with you. When you come, I am reminded of the rhythm of life – the seasons change and sometimes are rough, but the cycle of birth and life and death continues. Rain replaces snow and washes away the dirt of winter. Spring reminds me that I am resilient, I can be courageous and even the depth of a cold hard winter, life does go on eventually. Where do I need to be less afraid and take risk right now? I love your light – days gradually lengthening like sleepy Saturday morning when we don’t have to jump out of bed right away. No alarm. Just a stretching yawning of a … [Read more...]