"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9The Lord determines his steps.I reviewed 2010, Lord, reflecting on my joys, my challenges, and my failures.I asked Your help in planning ahead – what to work on. How to grow. What to try in 2011.I created the list, hopefully with Your help.It is complete.Except for one final action.I lift up the coming year into Your hands, Lord.My hopes.My goals.My dreams.I plan, strategize, prepare, and try my best to arrange the future to Your… No, I will be honest and say this openly. I try my best to control the future to MY liking. My heart hesitates to fully release 2011 to You.It is hard, Lord to fully trust You. I know I should, but my ego still thinks it holds the power to influence the future. Deep down, I think I have the strength to be in charge. Part of me knows the truth, yet I cling to human power instead of fully letting go of my life to divine determination. My deepest desire is not to be … [Read more...]
The Light Shines in the Darkness – Lectio Divina
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1: 1-5The light shines in the darknessOnce again, Lord, you came.In the shimmering candlelight of midnight services, I felt your gentle hug as You wrapped your arms around me.What had been dark, now shone with Your love and presence.You never forgot us.You never abandoned us.You kept your promisesYou came.But in reality You never left in the first place, did You?You were there at the beginning.You were there when sin first began and continued through all of usYou were there throughout the scriptures.You were there in the stable.You were there walking on the seaYou were there on the cross.You were there on the road to Emmaus.You were there at candlelight … [Read more...]
The Christmas Star – Lectio Divina
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:10 The starLord, I awoke early this week to watch the Geminid Meteors streak across the sky. I sat in my dark warm office by the window and waited and waited and waited. Nothing.SighWas I just fool to believe I would see a shooting star? Maybe I missed them. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places. This is ridiculous, I thought, I should be in bed.But in the silence and stillness of the dark house, You quietly entered my heart. So we talked. Just you and me, Lord, staring at your creation that twinkled and sparkled above me. I placed in Your hands my worries and concerns. I lifted up my friends who are hurting. I whined a little and then remembered to thank you for all things.Thank you Lord for the stars and this quiet time together. My heart felt warm in the embrace of Your love and joy. The very act of lifting my eyes upward to watch for You, open the curtain of … [Read more...]
Our Advent Hope – Lectio Divina
And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him." May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:12-13)You may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit God of Hope ~ – Lord, Oh, how I cling to the sound of that phrase.You are my hope, my lifeline, my only salvation.Yet why do I not live in that hope each day?Why do I let the darkness of the world take over and cloud my sight?Why do I think my own ego can handle my life?Elusive joy withers in my hands as I struggle in a desolated desert. Your rich soil waits to nourish my roots if only I would trust You.Come Holy Spirit ~Pour your life-giving hope into my parched heart.Your strength buoys my weak knees and cheerless heart.Come Holy Spirit ~Fill me with your joy and peace – the only thing you ask in return is my trust.Lord … [Read more...]
In Quietness is Your Strength – Lectio Divina
In quietness and trust is your strength Isaiah 30:15bIn quietnessLord, I live in a noisy world. Far from the quiet where Your strength lies.I know when I withdrawn – as Jesus modeled for us – to spend time with You, to rest in You, to hear your whisper – I am refreshed, renewed, and stronger.The clamor of my world blares and distracts me from You.My ego chatters incessantly filling me with self doubt and despair.Lord, help me leave this racket behind and follow you into quietness.The hush of your presence creates a safe room abundant with peace and love. With no words ever spoken, You still my heart.Nestling under your plush down duvet of love and I snuggle into your arms for much needed rest. In quietness of spending time with You, I trust and gain strength. Thank you, gentle and tranquil Lord. … [Read more...]
Trusting God – Lectio Divina
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (NIV)My God, in whom I trust.Lord, all I cling to is my trust in You.You are all I have.You are all I need.The world disappoints.Friends and family scatter.My own weaknesses trip me up once again.Yet You are always there for me. You are my safe haven, my firm foundation.Forgive me when I withhold my entire trust in You. I am battered by the world and my own self-doubt distracts me from fully relying on You. I think at the last minute I can do it myself. Or Superman will swoop down and rescue me, changing all of my circumstances.Yes the truth is, Lord, all I have is You and You are enough.I do believe in Your goodness.I do believe in Your love.I do believe in You.Fill me each day with Your faith so I am say with my whole being: I trust in You, Lord. … [Read more...]
Our Choices – Lectio Divina
Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Prov 8:10-11, NIV)ChooseLord the word “choose” keeps appearing to me this week.I blog about it.The word pops up in conversation.Then I see it in this verse.You have given each of us this marvelous gift of free choice. We can choose the flashiness of world’s glitz Or we can choose Your words of instruction.We can choose to spend our time and resources panning for flecks of gold Or we can choose digging through Your Word for knowledge.We can dress up hiding our true selves behind fancy jewelry and exquisite masks Or we choose bare our souls before you, clothing ourselves only in Your love, grace and wisdom.Lord help me always to choose the best way, Your way. … [Read more...]
God Cares – Lectio Divina
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Matthew 6: 26 (NIV)Are you not much more valuable than they?Lord, I saw a tiny brown bird flit by my car window this morning. Then I heard Your voice, “You are more valuable than my birds.”You care for and take of this small insignificant bird, no more than 6 inches long, flying above my car in the middle of Northwest Ohio on a cool November morning. No one else is paying attention to this little thing, yet You know its life. You provide its meals. You know its every move.And you care even more for me?How often do I have to hear those words before I fully believe them?You love me. You care for me. I see the flowers grow and bloom under your care.I watch the birds soar under your care.Why can’t I believe this lesson? I have to hear it over and over again.You love me. You care for me.I do believe. Help my unbelief.Thank you for … [Read more...]