I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to GodPhilippians 3: 9-11 (NLT)Lord today I lift up into Your loving hands the readers of these words.Some who come here are celebrating Your joyous presence.Others drown in tears of loss.Another one stands lost in the dark fog of not knowing where to go to next.But we all come to You today Lord just as we are - in need of You.I ask You to pour into their hearts Your love until overflowing.Grant that they grow in knowing and embracing You.Purify their motivations and wash clean their desires to mirror You, Lord.May the work of their hands honor You and tell others of Your grace, … [Read more...]
An Advent Prayer – Henri Nouwen – Quote of the Week
Lord Jesus,Master of both the light and the darkness,send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.-Henri Nouwen … [Read more...]
Trusting God – Lectio Divina
In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.Psalm 25: 1Lord, I read this verse today and my heart rejoiced.Years ago, a flash in Your eyes, You led me to these words as my first breath prayer.A scripture I silently, repeatedly, pray in my heart throughout the day.In You, Lord my God, I put my trust.Your voice in these words wraps its warmth around me like a thick comforter at night.This divine declaration carries me through tough times when I can’t find You or know where to turn to next.These words anchor me in the storms and rescue me from the thrashing waves of life.When I have no idea where to go, what to do, and the unknown overwhelms me, my only prayer, my only step is to put my trust in You.You are my Lord, my God.When thoughts distract me like mosquitoes and worries invade my soul, I find peace and stillness in these words.In You, only in You, Lord do I put my trust.I empty my hands of all that blocks me from You and come palms upward to my God, my Lord.I entrust my all, everything, … [Read more...]
A Prayer of Wonder – Quote of the Week
Days pass and the years vanish and we walk sightless among miracles. Lord, fill our eyes with seeing and our minds with knowing. Let there be moments when your Presence, like lightning, illumines the darkness in which we walk. Help us to see, wherever we gaze, that the bush burns, unconsumed. And we, clay touched by God, will reach out for holiness and exclaim in wonder, "How filled with awe is this place and we did not know it." Jewish Prayer … [Read more...]
Why a Can of Green Beans Brought Me to Tears on Thanksgiving
Ok, I am supposed to be grateful, right?Count those blessings.Make that list of 1000+ reasons to give thanks. (Thanks Ann Voskamp and your wonderful book, 1000 Gifts) Work on the spiritual disciple of gratitude.Embrace Thanksgiving as THEday to share what we are thankful for with the family - the perfect family smiling around the dinner table with halos abounding and hearts full of love. Yeah, right.My Thanksgiving expectations: Norman Rockwell.My reality: Kitchen Nightmare or Lethal Cooking.To be honest, last Thursday was not THAT bad, but by midmorning, by myself, preparing all the food, I sipped on a mug of self-pity. I wanted to make a huge Thanksgiving meal. My family insists that every year I cook for an army. So I set myself up for this annual why-me-scenario. I do it to myself!The green bean casserole broke me.You know the concoction - heavy laden with calories and memories. Green beans, those yummy eat from the can onion rings and cream of mushroom soup. I have tried lighter … [Read more...]
Prayer – Edward Hays – Quote of the Week
Grant me daily the grace of gratitude, to be thankful for all my many gifts, and so be freed from artificial needs, that I might lead a joyful, simple life.Edward Hays … [Read more...]
Becoming a Star – Lectio Divina
“‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.Daniel 12: 3 (The Message)Glow like stars foreverLord I wander out to the darkened backyard, void of its green and growing season,Resting now in cold November soil.Hush fills the garden tonight.I snuggle under your protective canopy of a deep blue comforter and gaze at the multitude of lights flickering in Your sky.Why did you create stars, Lord?The varied sizes and glows send a mixed message of their dimensions, distances, and purposes. Some of the brightest are really planets.Some of the tiniest are huge in reality.Some of their lights reach earth long after they have perished.Some represent new births as Your universe continues to expand.These verses today linger in my heart as I survey Your heavens.I want to live wisely for You, Lord, and with You eternally.May my life glow like stars … [Read more...]
Everything – Lectio Divina
Then he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury.For all of them contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."Mark 12: 43-44(She) put in everythingLord my arm muscles ache.My hands overloaded with carrying the things I cling to so desperately.My heart can’t flow, jammed with worries and cares.My head congested with past regrets and future imaginative circumstances. My heart wants to let go and run to You with empty outstretched palms but my head screams, “Wait... what if...”This woman in the Gospel today, Lord. She gave You everything.Everything.She gave out of her poverty of money when I struggle with my poverty of spirit.Yet You tell me You live within me.You are my Storehouse, my Provider.You are the Shepherd to this little lamb and sheep are not burden carrying creatures.You gently help me lay … [Read more...]