Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side. The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were exuberant. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” John 20: 19-21 – The Message Like the disciples, too often I let fear lock the door of my heart. Solid barriers of worry and anxiety seal the entrance. The padlocks of dread close any openness. But the locked doors after the resurrection didn’t stop you at all, Jesus. You entered in. You stood among them. You offered peace that couldn’t be found anyplace else. And the disciples saw you with their own eyes and were jubilant. Your presence broke open the doors of fear. Lord, enter the locked doors of my heart. Break down the wall of worry and remove the stonewall of all suspicion. Open wide the … [Read more...]
Teach me, Earth – An Ute Prayer
Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep with rain. — Ute prayer … [Read more...]
A New Serenity Prayer – James Martin – Quote of the Week
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I'm clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked. And while you're at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I'm not you, which means I'm not perfect. It's better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you'll no doubt remember me saying, I can't change anyway. Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I'm clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they're talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers. Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I'm not you. James Martin … [Read more...]
Thirsty for Gushing Water – Lectio Divina
Jesus said to her,” Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” John 4: 13-14 Lord, you amaze me. You approached the Samaritan woman – unheard of in your time – to asked her for her water. You knew what would happen. You knew her better than she knew herself. You knew her sin. Yet you still came to her in her place and time and spoke to her in a way she understood. You spoke about water to a thirsty person. I know you approach me too in my place of need. You come to me without me first asking. You are already here. You know exactly what will be happening next in my journey. You know me better than I know myself. You know my sin. Yet you still come to me here, in this place and in the perfect time when my heart will soften and I will hear your words with the ears of my … [Read more...]
Thank You
“If the only prayer you ever say is Thank you, that will be enough.” Meister Eckhart I am pausing from my normal posting this morning to say to each of you Thank you. I appreciate the time you spend reading my simple words. Thank you for being my companions on this journey of life. I am grateful for your companionship in putting up with my detours, whining and bumps in the road. Thank you for celebrating with me – new births, joys and God’s continually surprises. I so appreciate your comments and emails about savoring five years of Healthy Spirituality blog posts. You have encouraged me and warmed my heart. Your support means everything to me. One of the unexpected benefits of writing a blog is the friendships I have gained here. I am so thankful for that gift. I am amazed at the fellowship in this community. So we celebrate five years of Healthy Spirituality and our walk together! I hope we have many more good times together as walking companions on this life … [Read more...]
I Cannot Do This Alone – A Lenten Prayer – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I Cannot Do This Alone O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray And to concentrate my thoughts on you; I cannot do this alone. In me there is darkness, But with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, But you know the way for me…. Restore me to liberty, And enable me to live now That I may answer before you and before men. Lord whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised. Amen P.S. Don't forget to enter below the March 13 post to win a $50 Amazon gift card as part of my 5 year celebration. You can enter once each day - spread the word to your friends. You have until Monday at midnight to enter. Thanks for celebrating with me. … [Read more...]
Giver of All Things – Prayer Quote by Walter Brueggemann
You are the giver of all good things. All good things are sent from heaven above, rain and sun, day and night, justice and righteousness, bread to the eater and seed to the sower, peace to the old, energy to the young, joy to the babes. We are takers, who take from you, day by day, daily bread, taking all we need as you supply, taking in gratitude and wonder and joy. And then taking more, taking more than we need, taking more than you give us, taking from our sisters and brothers, taking from the poor and the weak, taking because we are frightened, and so greedy, taking because we are anxious, and so fearful, Taking because we are driven, and so uncaring. Give us peace beyond our fear, and so end our greed. Give us well-being beyond our anxiety, and so end our fear. Give us abundance beyond our drivenness, and so end our uncaring. Turn our taking into giving … since we are in your giving image: Make us giving like you, giving gladly and not taking, giving … [Read more...]
Finish Well – Lectio Divina
So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. Once the commitment is clear, you do what you can, not what you can't. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (The Message) Every year, Lord, I start with a bang of enthusiasm, launching new goals and plans for the coming year. I ask you for your blessing and guidance on each year’s new beginning. But this verse in this unique translation stopped me cold. “Finish what you started last year” shouted to my heart and shook my good intentions into the light of day. What does this mean, Lord? I recognize the sound of your quiet whisper and am aware of your touch upon my spirit. I feel your nudge - “look again upon 2013 - finish what you have started.” I want to close the door on 2013. I want to move onto the fresh newness of … [Read more...]