“As surprising as it sounds, how we choose is almost as important as what we choose. Most of our choosing comes as a response to superficial desires or as an act of willpower and resolve. Neither is helpful in choosing to open ourselves to the Divine. Choosing God is choosing life just as all true choosing of life reflects choosing God. But neither life nor God can genuinely be embraced by willfulness and determination. They can only be received in openness and willingness.” Dr. David G. Benner When I read this quote the other day, I knew I had to copy it into my journal. How we choose is almost as important as what we choose- words that convicted my heart. Too often my decisions arise from my emotional reactions to a need or want. I revert back to my default mode – what is easiest, most comfortable and many times, just plain out of habit. I know I make decisions from a place of stress, fatigue, hunger, wanting to be accepted. Then I conclude something is wrong with me … [Read more...]
Remembering and Honoring – Memorial Day Quote
"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." Joseph Campbell … [Read more...]
Resurrection as Faithfulness – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
The resurrection does not solve our problems about dying and death. It is not the happy ending to our life’s struggle, nor is it the big surprise that God has kept in store for us. No, the resurrection is the expression of God’s faithfulness…. The resurrection is God’s way of revealing to us that nothing that belongs to God will ever go to waste. What belongs to God will never get lost. Henri J. M. Nouwen Don't you love how Nouwen brings our attention to the idea that resurrection focuses on God's faithfulness? God keeps his promises despite our facing death and dying, struggles and unexpected turns in life. Resurrection shows us that God is in everything and he uses all things to his good. The last sentence says it all - "What belongs to God will never get lost." Amen! Here is one more quote about resurrection from Henri Nouwen: "The resurrection of Jesus was a hidden event. Jesus didn’t rise from the grave to baffle his opponents, to make a victory statement, or to … [Read more...]
Growing – Quote of the Week – Joyce Rupp
“While there is tremendous potential for growth in a seed, of itself, it does not do the growing. It is the sun and rain, it is the nutrients of the soil that help the energy held in the seed to awaken and stretch outward into life." Joyce Rupp … [Read more...]
To Pray – Quote of the Week – Madeleine L’Engle
To pray is to listen, to move through my own chattering to God, to that place where I can be silent and listen to what God may have to say. –Madeleine L'Engle … [Read more...]
Resurrection – Quote of the Week – Martin Luther
Resurrection! Our Lord has written the promise of the Resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time. Martin Luther Where do you see resurrection in your life? I often find it in the hope of springtime. On that first day of warm sunny weather, with the trees bursting with fresh green buds, bird frolicking and blue sky dotted with cotton balls - I have rolled down my car window or stood outside on my deck and yelled, "Welcome back, Spring!" Yep, I get that excited. I like Luther's words here about the promise of resurrection. At times, we can't see the next step or what the future holds - we are confused, our vision cloudy, our circumstances dim - but we can hold onto the promises of God that he is with us. That he will show us the way, That someday, not now, maybe not for quite a while but someday - we will see and understand. Luther also mentioned books. As a professor in a university and a writer of multiple volumes of work, Luther highly valued books. … [Read more...]
Holy Saturday – Quote of the Week
Holy Saturday What is Holy Saturday? A celebration of the sacrament of honest, raw doubt that precedes the resurrection and reigniting of faith. Anonymous What does Holy Saturday mean for you? Can you name your emotions in the in-between day between Good Friday and Easter Morning? Just imagine how the disciples felt. What their future looked like? The word in this quote that jumps into my heart is sacrament - I place my doubt - all of my vulnerable feelings, uncertainties, and fears into God's hands and wait. Wait for resurrection. What for His spirit re ignite my faith. Wait for his coming once again to bring us home into his loving arms forever. The second word that resonates with me is celebration. I don't think the disciples did much partying on Holy Saturday - when they hid in fear, shame and discouragement. So when I face those same emotions I too find it difficult to celebrate. But that is part of the sacrifice to God, isn't it? To come to him, honest and real, … [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...]