Becoming a Star – Lectio Divina

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“‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.Daniel 12: 3 (The Message)Glow like stars foreverLord I wander out to the darkened backyard, void of its green and growing season,Resting now in cold November soil.Hush fills the garden tonight.I snuggle under your protective canopy of a deep blue comforter and gaze at the multitude of lights flickering in Your sky.Why did you create stars, Lord?The varied sizes and glows send a mixed message of their dimensions, distances, and purposes. Some of the brightest are really planets.Some of the tiniest are huge in reality.Some of their lights reach earth long after they have perished.Some represent new births as Your universe continues to expand.These verses today linger in my heart as I survey Your heavens.I want to live wisely for You, Lord, and with You eternally.May my life glow like stars … [Read more...]

Everything – Lectio Divina

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Then he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.For all of them contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."Mark 12: 43-44(She) put in everythingLord my arm muscles ache.My hands overloaded with carrying the things I cling to so desperately.My heart can’t flow, jammed with worries and cares.My head congested with past regrets and future imaginative circumstances. My heart wants to let go and run to You with empty outstretched palms but my head screams, “Wait... what if...”This woman in the Gospel today, Lord. She gave You everything.Everything.She gave out of her poverty of money when I struggle with my poverty of spirit.Yet You tell me You live within me.You are my Storehouse, my Provider.You are the Shepherd to this little lamb and sheep are not burden carrying creatures.You gently help me lay … [Read more...]

The Greatest Commandment

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One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”Mark 12: 28-31 (NIV)You said it all, Lord: “ There is no commandment greater than these.”I am to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.I am to love others as I love myself.All other doctrine is secondary. All debates on what is true fades in the light of Your words.My worries and doubt evaporate.Carve this commandment onto my heart, Lord.Let me live each moment obeying these words.I ask Your blessing to live loving You completely - heart, mind, soul and will.Show me the way to love … [Read more...]

The Highest Place of Honor is Bottom – Lectio Divina

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Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.Mark 10: 43-45 (The Message)Lord my ego wants to be first.I want to be number one, the winner, the one everyone looks up to and cheers for.My sin drags me into the spotlight, seeking the accolades of the world.Yet You call me to be servant. A slave. A common laborer with no rights.My hearts wants to obey, but my will tugs me into the glitz and glamour of how others define success.I feel torn in two like I don’t belong either place.I ask for Your help restoring me to mirror Christ in the world.Clothe me with Your spirit; I can’t do this by myself.  I need You.Help me to be a servant, Your servant.May all of my actions for others also be attentive to You.Let me walk in Your footsteps.May I be centered on You and on others, not … [Read more...]

Pay Attention – Lectio Divina

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We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.Hebrews 2:1Pay AttentionOK, Lord, I hear You.Everywhere I turn I read the words, “Pay Attention.”I hear them in sermons and notice them in conversations.The letters jump out from the Scriptures into my heart during my devotions.Friends write about taking notice in their blogs.Speakers mention being aware in their presentations.Pay attention. "Pay the most careful attention." I hear You, Lord.  But to what?You gently answer, “Pay attention to what is right in front of you.”Pausing I look around me with unshielded eyes and an open heart. May I be more mindful when You speak to me in nature. Your love beams from the bright orange and yellow colors of fall. Your voice calls me in the crunch of fall leaves. I feel your smile as the squirrels scurry along the tree branches, busy with their autumn preparations.May I fully notice the people You bring to me: the unnamed, smile-less store clerk … [Read more...]

Children in Jesus’ Arms

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And he took the children in his arms,placed his hands on themand blessed them.Mark 10: 16Children in his armsWhat a tender moment, Lord.You welcoming the littlest ones into Your kingdom.You pausing from the main task of the world to greet, bless and love children.Or did You really pause?  Break from Your primary purpose?Or did You come to earth to wrap Your arms around each of us?To remind us You love and accept us as we are, immature, misbehaving, delightful children of God?Lord, let me rest in Your arms today.When the world crashes around me and buries me in its rubble of hate, misunderstandings, wars and lies, I need the peace found only in Your embrace.When fear takes my heart and angry occupies my mind, I run to You for Your healing touch.When my path is dark, confusing, and full of potholes and detours, Your hand gently guides me.May I spend the rest of my life, as a child, in Your embrace. … [Read more...]

Prayer is the Key – Lectio Divina

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Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.James 5: 13-16PrayHere You go again, Lord.  Reminding me in Your simple, pure, and unconditionally uncomplicated way.Prayer is the key.If I am upset. Troubled. Struggling. Failing, Stressed and up the creek without a paddle - PrayWhen all is wonderful.  Joy abounds. I move freely without the weight of the world - PrayCranky with cold, cancer or other conditions - Pray.Darkened by sin, fearful by the menacing world events, shamed with my own failings - Pray.Just come to You open and … [Read more...]