But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:33-34 Lord, I see you – with a feather quill pen in your hand looking for my open heart. Here I am Lord, waiting for your works to be marked with indelible ink deep within me. I don’t care if it scratches or even hurts - inscribe your essence into my being. I want to taste you, see you, feel your presence. I want to know you are here, know I am yours forever. Write away, Lord. Mark me as your own. Tell me once again so I never forget that I am your child. That you will never leave me. That my … [Read more...]
Shouting Trees – Lectio Divina
“Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy at your coming, O Lord. Psalm 96: 12 Master Artist, you have outdone yourself this fall. You have adorned your trees with magnificent colors – burnt reds, brilliant oranges and mellow yellows with just touch of crispy browns and lingering greens. My heart leaped as I looked out of the car window this week at your palette of fall fanfare. I think the trees are dancing with iridescent exhilaration. They raise their branches in waves of colorful shouts for joy. All praising you, Lord God, Maker of all. And I join them in their celebration of creation. … [Read more...]
Rejoice in the Lord – Lectio Divina
Rejoice in the Lord always; Again I say rejoice. Philippians 4: 4 Lord, I can’t help but sing that silly children song whenever I read these words. I am nodding my head as it beats in my head today and I smile. I hope you smile too. But Lord it is so hard at times to rejoice. The world seems to be falling apart – beheadings, epidemics, wars, bombings. My stomach churns with fear, doubts, uncertainties. My restless nights haunted with anxieties, helplessness and vulnerability. Yet you say rejoice. Rejoice? Really? Yes, rejoice. Maybe that is why we have to say rejoice again. Again I say rejoice. To convince my quivering soul. To remind me of your promises. To yield my insecurities into your open and waiting arms. We do know that you are victorious in the end. You defeated death and will never abandon us. You ultimately are in control and in charge. I can let the world take over my heart or I can choose to keep my eyes on you and rejoice. Rejoice. Again I … [Read more...]
What is Success, Lord? – Lectio Divina
“Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13b-14. What is success, Lord? You know I struggle with this concept. I drive toward accomplishment. To reach favorable outcomes that feed my ego. Getting things done and crossed off some eternal list of to do’s. I see success in completion and achievement, not in you, Lord. Crossing the finish line without you won’t ever happen. I am incomplete without you, Lord. Please forgive me. I seem deeply wired towards my motivation, but want to renovate this desire. I turn over to you my heart, my goals, my purpose. I surrender my entire self into your hands, forgetting what lies behind me and turning forward only towards you. You are my aim. You are my goal. You are my very reason to breath, to write, to live. My relationship with … [Read more...]
God Is At Work Within – Lectio Divina
“For it is God who is at work with you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2: 13 So often, Lord I think of myself as a failure, a flawed human being. While that is so true, how reassuring are these words that you are at work within me. I am incomplete, imperfect, raw and unfinished. But You, the Great Carpenter, take your hand tools and like Gibbs in NCIS, gently shape me to Your original divine blueprint. Shaving off inadequacies and smoothing bumps and bruises, your grace continues to hone my heart and chisel my character to be more like You. All is not lost. All is not yet done. All of me, being slowly fashioned into a masterpiece, to live with you for eternity. My job is to be open and willing to obey your leadings in this process. To stay within your carpenter’s shop and surrender to your tooling. To submit to your vise and hammer and accept the work of the Master. Thank you, Oh Holy Artist, for your work within me. … [Read more...]
It’s Not Fair, Lord – Lectio Divina
“When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage… Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me or are you envious because I am generous?” Matthew 20 9-10, 15 It’s not fair, Lord. I am a good girl. Well, most of the time, I try to make the proper Godly decisions. I bite my tongue when I want to lash out in anger or revenge. I don’t gossip – or at least less than some I know. I try, I really do. Tonight I stomp my two-year-old feet and complain with the most whiny voice I can, mispronouncing my protest due to my pouting lower lip. Yes I am jealous when others get book contracts. I admit my envy when my friends lose weight or reach their weight watcher goal. I crave the granite backsplashes and large master baths on HGTV. You ask if I am resentful when you are generous with your grace, … [Read more...]
For God So Loved the World – Lectio Divina
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. John 3: 16 For God so loved the world… Lord, there isn’t much more I can say after reading, pondering, holding these words near my heart. You just didn’t love the world – you SO loved the world. You didn’t just give us your son – he was your ONLY son. Staggering sacrifice. Amazing love. You gave us your all in order to give us even more – eternal life with you. Forgive my time of neglect, anger and doubt. Thank you for your mercy and grace for the times I whine, beg, and bargain. Gratitude surrounds my heart for your compassion, understanding and acceptance of my wandering ways. You so loved the world. You so loved each of us. You so loved insignificant wisp of breath and blip of time – me. You, who is love, gave us love so we can love with you forever. … [Read more...]
Lord, I Don’t Want to Be a Stumbling Block – Lectio Divina
“You are a stumbling block to me: for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Matthew 16: 23b Lord, I don’t want to be a stumbling block to you. But my human eyes only see human things. My spiritual eyes squint to the blurry images before me. I can barely make out my path. My hope seems out of reach. My final destination beyond veiled passages. My sight fails me; faith is the only way to clear my vision. Help me see others through your eyes of love. Free my view from the heavy shackles of earth and lift my eyes towards heaven. I don’t want to stand in your way but only in your shadow; not as an obstacle, but as an opening for your love to shine through. Touch my eyes, my heart, my soul, Lord and help me see. … [Read more...]