Ascribe to the Lord, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.Psalm 29Wide-lightening (Photo credit: Wikipedia)The God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the … [Read more...]
God’s Spirit is Right Alongside – Lectio Divina
The moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Romans 8: 26-28 (The Message)God's Spirit is right alongsideCome Holy Spirit. Come.You are our Helper. Our Companion. Our Light in our darkest moments.You are our Guide. Our Protector. The barely Noticeable Nudge on our shoulders and Quiet Whisper in our heart.You are the Soothing Breeze refreshing our soul. And You stay right alongside us always helping us along.When I am tired – You lift me up.When I don’t know how to pray – You pray for me.When I can’t even find the words – You connect me to the Word.When only my tears flow and … [Read more...]
All I Have is Yours, Lord – Lectio Divina
I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. John 17: 9-10 (NIV) All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. Lord I absorb Your words from this week’s Gospel. I am awed with Your prayer for Your disciples…for us… for me.What a prayer of loving surrender: All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. May this also be my prayer from deep within me: All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. All I cling to within my soul.Everything my heart cherishes.My treasures I think I must need. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. I love the intimacy of this prayer, Lord.Its words draw me near to Your welcoming arms.My heart beats in unison with Yours as I breath this prayer.All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. All I have is yours, Lord. … [Read more...]
Pick Me! Pick Me, Lord – Lectio Divina
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15: 16-17I chose youPick me!Pick me, Lord!I want to be part of Your team.What do I have to do to qualify?Maybe if I lose more weight, You will choose me.What if I tried my hardest to do everything just perfect?I wonder if I read my Bible everyday, never missed church, and always smiled at my family, then would You tap me on the shoulder and say come?What is this You are saying? You don’t choose Me, but I chose you? But I am not ready yet.I haven’t accomplished what the world expects of me yet.I haven’t finished with what I have planned.Even my hair is a mess today. And I really should quit biting my fingernails before joining You, Lord.Me?You chose me?Like I am?Sinful and unclean?Incomplete and far from my best?And You want me to bear fruit for You? Me? I can’t do … [Read more...]
We Are Like Jesus – Lectio Divina
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment:In this world we are like Jesus.1 John 4: 15-17 (NIV).In this world, we are like Jesus.To the world, Lord, we are like Jesus. I know often I am not a true reflection of You. I am sorry about my failure in this, Lord. But I know You live in my heart. You are here with me.You are my God.You love me.You know me.You accept me as I am.You call me to be more like You.You invite me to be like Jesus.You summon me to be Jesus in the world.In community we become Jesus with skin on.Cover my heart and body with Your presence, Lord.May my eyes be Your eyes.May my hands serve others with Your touch.May my words echo the Word that brings peace and comfort.I want to reflect You, Lord.To love You.To love … [Read more...]
God Is Greater Than Our Worried Hearts – Lectio Divina
My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love. This is the only way we'll know we're living truly, living in God's reality. It's also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.1 John 3: 18-20 – The Message God is greater than our worried hearts Lord, You are greater than I can ever imagine.Greater than my worries.Greater than my fears.Greater than my accomplishments.Greater than my failures.Greater than my self-criticism.Greater than my knowledge.Greater than any talent or skill I possess.Great. Greater. Greatest.Thank You for being so huge to swallow up my sin.Thank You for Your strong, protecting Shepherd arms.Thank you for your immeasurable grace and enormous heart of love.You, O Lord, abolish my worries from my heart and grant us Your peace.Thank You for being Greater. … [Read more...]
Good News Too Wild to Believe – Lectio Divina
While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.Luke 24: 36-43They still did not believe it because of joy and amazementMy doubts melt in Your presence, Lord.You stand before me – alive.You are here, right in front of me.Tears of joy are my only obstacles to clearly seeing You.I shake my head and wonder about this incredible event.Jesus is alive!Lord, sometime in my prayers I do question if You are … [Read more...]
I Do Believe, Help My Unbelief – Lectio Divina
But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master."But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe."Thomas said, "My Master! My God!"John 20: 24-28Eight days laterDon't be unbelieving. Believe.You know Lord, I have always felt a little sorry for Thomas.He takes a lot of grief for his doubts. But he was certainly honest.But as I read this today, Lord, what jumps out to me is You made him wait eight full days before You reappeared. Eight days?I wondered what he was thinking during that time. … [Read more...]