For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 14-21Lord I know this passage well. You have heard me pray these words over specific people. I add their names in place of the you’s and your’s. I have recited its words naming my … [Read more...]
Come Away with Me – Lectio Divina
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6: 31bI read your invitation this week, Lord - Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.Thank you for asking me but with regrets, I am rather busy right now. I have things to accomplish.People seeking my help.And I do want some time for me, you know.Maybe I can squeeze You in a little next week...Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.I reread your statement. I don’t see the RSVP. You mean this isn’t an optional request? Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.You gently change my heart, stop my frenzied fretfulness, and refocus my energy to You. I let go of my all important to-do list, drop my agenda, and slowly ease into Your heart.I see Your hand open, welcoming me into Your presence. I reach for You to join You.I come by myself - leaving behind my close associates of busyness, worries, fears, and habits. I shed my backpack of dreams, desires, and … [Read more...]
Giving Thanks – Lectio Divina
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1: 16 (NIV)Lord my heart spills over with thankfulness.My hands embraced all the blessings You have showered upon me these past two weeks.I know not all times are good.I know detours, potholes and even dangerous crashes could come my way anytime on this journey.But in this rest stop, I look up to You, praising Your name and saying thank you.Thank you for Bill, my loving husband and wonderful companion for 40 years of marriage.Thank you for allowing us the privilege to raise three of Your miracles and see them as healthy happy, loving adults.Thank you for enlarging our family with the gift of spouses for our kids and three surprising wonders called grandchildren.Thank you for sweet, giving friends; I know if I needed someone in the middle of the night they would quickly come.Thank you for walking with me, guiding me, nurturing me closer to You.Thank you for Your son - coming to us to save us and light out … [Read more...]
Delighting in My Weakness – Lectio Divina
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 I delight in weaknessesLord, I am not enough.I can't do this on my own.I cannot save myself.I try. I strive. I struggle to do my best.I work so hard - often for me, sometimes for You.I am too weak to get everything done.I need You. My soul's poverty reaches out to You as the woman stretched forth her hand to touch Your hem of healing. Then I hear You say gently, "But I am enough. I am the power when you are defenseless and a strength in your vulnerability."Lord, You are the Rock and High Tower.You are vast in my emptiness.You are significant in my smallness.You are the strength in my frailties and fragileness.Lord … [Read more...]
The Risk of Faith – Lectio Divina
A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"His disciples said, "What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you're asking, 'Who touched me?' Dozens have touched you!"But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a … [Read more...]
The Lord’s Blessings – Lectio Divina
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for."You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into … [Read more...]
Bearing Fruit in Old Age – Lectio Divina
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;planted in the house of the Lord,they will flourish in the courts of our God.They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him. ”Psalm 92:12-15They will still bear fruit in old ageShe died over a year ago, Lord, just shy of her 100thbirthday.She may be gone, but her fragrance still lingers in my heart.She still teaches me, Lord.Teaches me to smile at each day.To plant flowers.To keep moving.To think and pray for others.She still bears fruit here, though she is with You.She bore much fruit in her old age.Lord, I have no idea how much longer I will walk here on earth.Illness, accident, or sudden life changing transitions may abruptly veer me off path.But I am Yours.I don’t want to rot on the vine, Lord.Sprinkle Your spirit upon me and nourish my roots so I bear fruit now and into my old age.May I give … [Read more...]
I Wait for the Lord with My Whole Being
I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,and in his word I put my hope.Psalm 130:5I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits.I sit at Your feet, Lord and wait.But I don’t always wait with all of me.My mind races out of the room and into the chaotic streets of the future worrying, fussing, and imagining all the things that could go wrong.Bring my mind back to Your calm waiting, Lord.My heart is also on its own journey - wandering lost, seeking the answers in other directions.Rescue my heart like You carry the lost sheep and bring it back into Your safe fold.My fingers fidget with anxiety and my feet squirm with restlessness – part of me thinking, doubting that You will ever respond.I long for the stroke of your peaceful hands upon my hands and soothing touch to my weary legs.My eyes look out the windows instead of staying focused on Your eyes.I hear my voice complaining and whining.Waiting is so hard, Lord.Thank you for this scriptural reminder to wait with my whole being.To bring all … [Read more...]