"Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right."2 Thessalonians 3: 13Doing what is right.Lord I get lazy.I let excuses, fatigue, hurt feelings block what you call me to do.Doing what is right is a path sometimes hard to see; other times difficult to transverse.It is easier to stay secure in my own setting, to vegetate in front of the television or computer screen, to snuggle hidden under the comforter of my ego than to venture out.Thinking only of myself, I justify my reaction.Instead - you call me to do what is right.To go out on a cold winter night to go to the funeral home.To make an extra dinner for the recovering friend.To send that handwritten note to my older relative.To smile, listen, forgive when I'd rather sulk, stew and pout.We live in a fallen world, Lord and doing right can be dangerous, painful and downright frightening.Give me the courage to hear your will.Grant me the wisdom to follow you and love whomever you place before me.Untie my tightly wrapped ego … [Read more...]
Give Thanks to God – Lectio Divina
"But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord."2 Thessalonians 2: 13Give Thanks to God for you.Lord, today I thank you for the ones reading these words.Thank you for calling them beloved and opening your heart to adopt them as your children.Thank you for loaning these kindred spirits to me to accompany me on this path of life.I am so grateful for the friends I have met in person and for the friends you have introduced me to through these words.They are blessings to me. These special people of yours have encouraged me, supported me and stretched my faith.Too often I forget to say thank you to you, Lord, for the gift of friendship.Companions made even more precious by sharing faith stories, praying through struggles and cheering each other onward on our journey.My heart swells with gratitude to you for these gifts.Friends, near and far, bounded together in a circle of love, all held in your hand of grace.Thank you, dear Lord for my brothers and … [Read more...]
Do Unto Others – Lectio Divina
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6: 31 Do unto others. Do unto others. Lord, this is one of the first lessons I learned from my mother. And know once again I hear these words from you - the Golden Rule. You, Lord, who model this way of living. You notice those on the margins. You touch the untouchables. You reach out to those full of fear. You heal the sick. You feed the hungry. You wrap your arms around little children. You defend the poor. You mend the brokenhearted. You answer your critics. You forgive all of us. You love the unlovable. Thank you for noticing, touching, reaching out, healing, feeding, hugging, defending, mending answering, forgiving and loving me. Lord, help me treat others who cross my path as you would. Break open the eyes of my heart to spot the ones who need you the most. May I do unto others as you would, as I would want them to treat me. You showed us the way … [Read more...]
Justified by Grace – Lectio Divina
"For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.Romans 3: 23, 28Grace.Unmerited love.Unearned mercy.All God in all of his being.None of my doing.How can I ever thank you, Lord for loving me so unconditionally?Your forgiveness expands to fill the universe and heals the holes in my heart.What a glorious gift.The gift of grace.The gift of Christ. The gift of your presence.Your grace rains down upon my dry parched soul and gives me life. Thank you sweet Papa. … [Read more...]
Praying Persistently – Lectio Divina
"Be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable."2 Timothy 4: 2bThe Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lost heart."Luke 18: 1Your lesson this week, Lord encourages me.Be persistent.You don't mind me bothering you.Repeating requests.Whining a bit.Dare I say - bargaining and begging at times.I come to you with a whole range of prayers - some for myself, many for others.Sometimes I tell you what I need to you to do. Thanks for listening. . . and forgiving my bossiness.Some times I can't find the words, so turn my prayer over to you knowing the Holy Spirit will carry it into your heart.But you invite me back.You persistently welcome me into your presence.You cheer me on to keep praying no matter what.What a glorious invitation this is: To approach the King, our Savior, the Lord Creator, with my petty, transitory, and fear drenched pleas.I talk, yell, plead, barter and even argue and you listen with love.You say come.I come with too much … [Read more...]
This is My Gospel – Lectio Divina
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David - this is my gospel.2 Timothy 2: 8This is my gospel.Lord, I had to reread this sentence several times.I know Your gospel.I claim our gospel.But using the word "my" sounds so real, intimate and "can I believe it really is true" joy filled.My gospel.The good news belongs to me.Me!Jesus died for me.Jesus defeated death for me.Jesus rose from the dead and now lives for me.Wow. Amazing news.I possess an incredible gift from you, Lord. Life giving, life saving, life deepening good news.Love giving, love saving, love deepening transformative awareness.This line could be should be lyrics to a magnificent love song.You the Lord of the universe, Savior of so many more deserving than me, Beloved, Master, and Friend - wait patiently for me to simply reach out and run into your arms.You are mine.I am yours.I belong to you.And the mind blowing, staggering news is - You belong to me.You are my gospel.I sing at the top of my lungs and … [Read more...]
The Lord Calls – Lectio Divina
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”Psalm 27:8 NLTI hear you calling, Lord.You invite me to draw near, to come closer to you.I drop my urgency to get one more thing done and run into your arms.Only when I am with you, Lord am I complete.I smile.You smile.We don't even talk.We don't do. We be.Be together.Resting.Holding.Loving.Thank you for always calling. For meeting me where I am, no matter how dirty, distracted or damaged I am.You gently take me into your arms and soothe my wounds.You are the good Shepherd.And this little lamb is glad to find a home in your arms. … [Read more...]
Faithful in Little – Lectio Divina
"Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much."Luke 16: 10aFaithful in littleLord, it isn't the big obstacles that trip me.I run to you in major crisis and seek you in moments of pain and catastrophe.I reach out in blind faith when there is nothing else to grab onto.I know you are by my side in my darkest moments.But Lord, I feel most lost when the little hurdles pile up.The mosquitoes of daily life distract my heart.The pebbles of busyness, self-doubts, and ego driven dreams rub raw places in my soul.I try to make it on my own in the waning light of human desires and wants.Why can't I reach out for your hand throughout the day?Keeping my eyes on you in the small details.Finding you in the little facets of living.Trusting you with each tiny crumb of my day.Lord, you are the giver of faith. I do believe; help my unbelief.May I be faithful in the very little, in the very much, and in the forever. … [Read more...]