A few years back a friend causally said to me, “Look back to when you were six or seven or eight, what did you want to be? That is your calling.” I read a new version of this question this weekend – “What did you love doing as a child?” (This question came from a book I am reading that I plan on sharing on this coming Thursday blog. Be sure to come back!) Both questions could be helpful when discerning the next chapter on one’s life. Even if you wanted to be a fireman – maybe you are passionate about helping others. Or what if you wanted to be a rock star – maybe you are gifted at reading the Scriptures at church. These early dreams, passions, interests often appear clearer when we where younger and before we were told what we wanted or the world distracted us. Me? At eight I wanted to be a writer. A journalist. I even published a tiny newspaper for my neighborhood complete with the funnies. At 16 I felt a distinct (and right) calling to nursing and God blessed me with both. I … [Read more...]
Dancing with God
The poetry of Edwina Gately has been warming my heart lately. Ever notice how some people’s words bring you closer to God? She certainly is filling my soul this summer. Last week I wondered and we discussed Summertime Spiritual Slump. I think poem of hers is one way to see God in the summer. Here is what I read the other day: “God escaped from all my little boxes and labels. The more I tried to claim God, the more God slipped away. But if I dare To rise from my knees And leap in joy At the song of the bird, And if I dare To stand in awe At the mounting of the moon In a thick-starred sky, And if I dare to be amazed At the constant seeding of the earth – Then, oh see! oh see! I glimpse my God – ever free, ever dancing, Ever calling out my name.” Rising from my knees and dancing with our Lord! … [Read more...]
Letting Go of Assumptions, Biases and Preconceived Notions
We all have them. Assumptions. Biases. Preconceived notions. We cling to them. We defend them. We bet our lives on them. Sometimes they are so much a part of us, we aren’t even aware of their presence. And sometimes we unclutched our fists and let them go. We visited Boston this past week for the Fourth of July. Yes we heard the Boston Pops and witness - dare I say – the best fireworks display I have ever seen. Yes, we experienced Hurricane Arthur, but the wettest moment occurred walking back to the hotel 12 hours before Arthur’s arrival in a sudden downpour, fierce wind gusts and brilliant lightening. Yes, most of the time the weather cooperated and Boston opened her arms to embrace us. Boston’s warm and everywhere we turned hospitality won our hearts and made us her fans. My assumption, bias and preconceived notion? I am ashamed to write this now, but I didn’t want to go back to … [Read more...]
Let’s Talk
Pull up your chair. Fill your cup with your favorite flavored coffee or herbed tea, and let’s talk. I love the interaction between us in the comment section of this blog and in emails. I know it helps us get better acquainted and I am richer and very blessed by each word. I would like to occasionally have a broader conversation on a topic here by presenting a couple of questions for your reaction, insight, experience and thoughts. I hope we all can learn from these conversations. Lately, the word “wisdom” has been inviting me to tea. I hear her call. I see her everywhere. I feel her tug to draw closer. You may laugh since my last name is Wise, but I think defining wisdom is hard. I want to find a clear, usable description of Wisdom and to know more about her. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Proverbs 4: 5 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, Proverbs 3: 13 Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; … [Read more...]
What is the Horn of Salvation? – Remember the Horn!
In my morning devotionals, I have been slowly savoring the psalms. This morning I enjoyed the taste of Psalm 18 until I stumbled at the phrase “the horn of salvation.” mmm, I wonder what that means? I have learned if a word or phrase tickles my spirit to laugh and learn its message. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18: 2 (NIV) I found that expression in two other locations in my NIV Study Bible. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. 2 Samuel 22:3 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David. Luke 1:69 The horn of salvation describes God in the Old Testament and Jesus in the New. The Luke reading is where Zechariah is praising God as our Redeemer and Savior. All the verses tell us of an important attribute of God. Several commentaries opened the meaning of this phrase. I thought … [Read more...]
Mayas and Mentors, Oh My!
The world lost some wisdom last week. Maya Angelou died. I want to become a wisdom gatherer. I love to interview people who can speak/write about their experiences in a reflective and universal way. They have nuggets of knowledge, perception, and hope for the rest of us struggling souls. They are the Mayas of the world. The mentors we all hunger for - the astute Ammas and the insightful sages. Glennon Melton wrote about this in Huffington Post last week in an article well worth reading called “Find Yourself a Maya.” She concludes: “Join the procession. Find yourself a Maya to follow and Be a Maya to the woman marching behind you. ‘When you learn, teach.’ That's how Maya taught us to keep our mighty, sacred sisterhood rolling on. And while you march, remember: ‘You are a child of God. Stand up straight.’ -- Dr. Maya Angelou” When our Texan friends visited last week, we drove them about an hour from here so Kathy could visit with her childhood friend. When we arrived … [Read more...]
Thriving in the Information Age
I heard the expression a few years ago: DRIP – we are “Data Rich, Information Poor.” Our world is surrounded with noisy news and shallow interactions filled to the brim with devious data, multiple words, conflicting studies, meaningless gossip and useless nonsense. The Barna Group conducted a study last year about three trends about the information age. 1. People feel modern life is accelerating and becoming more complex. DUH! I don’t think that is surprising and explains our longing for simplicity. “The increasing digitalization of life, economic pressures, the disintegration of the family, shifting moral mooring and many other factors all contribute to this shared sense of cultural acceleration.” 2. People want to be culturally informed but they are becoming accustomed to skimming content. I just mentioned on Tuesday's blog about living shallow today. “Consumers want to be informed and clearly there is no shortage of available information. In fact, millions of … [Read more...]
Three Life Lessons
I love Ted Talks. If you haven’t discovered their wisdom in 20 minutes or less, please explore their varied issues. You won’t regret it. I listened to one the other day by Ric Elias. He was a passenger on the plane that hit birds and endured an emergency landing on the Hudson. “The Miracle of the Hudson” it is rightfully called. In his talk he lists the “Three Things I Learned when My Plane Crashed.” How’s that for a wild title? He no longer postpones things; he no longer tries to be right; he chooses to be happy and his only goal in life is to be a good dad. I wondered if I found myself in the same predicament and hopefully lived to tell about it, what would come to my mind? I think I would regret the time I waste. I am not upset about times of rest and reading and just vegging with friends – I need more of that. But time I chose to hid in my office (exactly what I am doing right now to be honest) instead of being with my hubby. Of course he is just watching television but … [Read more...]