I can’t believe it is almost time for Lent to begin. Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday marking the first day of solemn repentance for most Christians as we turn our hearts and minds toward Good Friday. Then we can celebrate with full gusto on Easter Sunday. Ever wonder about Ash Wednesday? Here are five quick facts about this day: 1. On Ash Wednesday, many churches hold a special worship service where the people are blessed with ashes, typically marking their foreheads with the sign of the cross. The blessing typically comes with a reminder that we all come from ashes, and to ashes we all will return. 2. The marking of the forehead has been a known custom since Pope Gregory the Great in 604. It has been said to have a two fold purpose, one being the ashes were marked for humility and mortality and then also for sorrow and repentance. In the 12th century the rule developed that the ashes were to be created by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. Many parishes … [Read more...]
Practicing, not Perfecting Sabbath
For the last several years I have written in my journal my desire to be more faithful in keeping the Sabbath. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 I am a failure at keeping the Sabbath. I let my ever present to do list, my addiction to being online and my own ego driven desires rule that day. I focus my attention of the world instead of on God. Doesn’t honor the Lord much, does it? Then fellow blogger and Christian sister, Shelly Millerwrote about her struggles with Sabbath keeping and began a great series - Surrendering to Sabbath - on her blog, Redemptions Beauty. She even started a Surrendering to Sabbath Sisterhood for ongoing discussion and support. Shelly is sending out weekly emails to encourage us to keep the Sabbath; you can read one here. Shelly shared a wonderful quote by Margaret Feinberg: With rest, I noticed God-moments I might have missed before. My prayers grew clearer. … [Read more...]
At Lo Levad – We are Not Alone
I love NCIS. My hubby kids me and calls Tuesday nights at 8 pm the “holy hour.” Don’t call me when there is a new show on. I won’t be nice.CBS NCISLast week’s episode showed a tender moment between two of the characters that lingered with me. As Ziva gets ready to fly to Israel, Tony hugs her and says something in her ear in Hebrew. She smiles and says, “I know.”What did Tony say?At lo levad - You are not alone.You are not alone. How we all hunger to hear that. I think many of us desperately want to believe that. This world can be a tough place where we often feel lost. There is hope and renewal in hearing:You are not alone.Reminded me of the beloved 23rd Psalm:The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You … [Read more...]
No Regrets – Why I am Seeking a God-sized Dream
Bill and I had been married a couple of years when my brother, who was serving in the Army, was stationed in Germany. “Come over and visit us” was his invitation. We talked about going. We saved the money. We never went. We let life’s worries and “what if’s” block an opportunity and we have regretted it ever since. Bill and I often use this decision from early in our married life as a plum line for discernment. Will we regret not taking this opportunity? Will we look back later in life and say we should have? “The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown Holly Gerth has been challenging us to discover and explore God-sized dreams. She has invited us to say yes to a God sized Dream. She explains her project on her blog here: She writes: “This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of … [Read more...]
Lewis and Tolkien: The Synergy of Friendship
Lewis and Tolkien has a special friendship. I read a few months ago the J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in a letter following the death of C. S. Lewis: “But for his interest and unceasing eagerness for more I should never have brought The Lord of the Rings to a conclusion.” We saw the Hobbit over the holidays and rewatched all three parts of the Lord of the Rings. What fantastic story telling. And to think, we may never have heard of Tolkien if it wasn’t for a friend. But I have recently learned we may have never heard of C. S. Lewis either if it hadn’t been for Tolkien. Lewis and Tolkien had a relationship that nourished one another. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 The encouragement and determination friends like Lewis and Tolkien gave to one another now enriches the whole world. One plus one equals More. When I become curious about the friendship of Lewis and Tolkien, I found a book by Colin Duriez titled … [Read more...]
Savoring Sisterhood
We had dinner with college friends last week. Friends we hadn’t seen for a while, but who continue to delightfully cross our paths for 40 years. What a sisterhood and brotherhood, these friends are. Driving home I marveled - how time and distance separate us, yet once together we chat, giggle and share like old times. Immediately we are back on each other’s wavelength listening and caring. Friendship is priceless. What a miracle! On my spiritual journey I have learned when a good experience comes along - whether it is of God, in relationships or any life’s uplifting surprises, my best response is taking the time to be grateful and to savor that moment. Savor means to fully enjoy, relish, cherish. To hold and ponder this wonderful gift. To appreciate. I value these friendships from all stages of my life: Chrissy and Wendywho I met in 6th grade and continue to bless me and are the sisters God gave me since I have only brothers in my family. Herb, Kathy, Don, Margie, … [Read more...]
I Need Help – What God Sized Dream?
We are still in the honeymoon era of New Year resolutions. I have some goals written for 2013 but haven’t hit the print button yet confirming their existence and launching their life.What is stopping me? Really it is a who. Who is stopping me? Holly Gerth is my obstacle Many of you know Holly as the blogger and co founder of (in)courage and active with DaySpring. I love her enthusiasm, warmth and friendliness. She has a great smile too.Yet she challenges me. She has invited us to say yes to a God sized Dream. She explains her project on her blog here. She writes: “This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of God—those moments of spiritual awakening that make you long to know God more.”Ok so I revisited my goals and dreams and have discovered something I am not proud of: I think I can do them myself and God is on the sidelines. Yes some are lifelong dreams, but if I try hard enough, and … [Read more...]
2013 – New Beginnings – Live a Reflective Life
New Beginnings I love the fresh start of a new year. The exciting opportunities full of potential - I call it God’s adventure waiting for me. We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called “Opportunity” and its first chapter is New Year’s Day. Edith L. Pierce I will spend part of today prayerfully rereading my journal entries from 2012, summarizing highlights (events, quotes, images, experiences, verses, prayers). Ahh, new beginnings. Then I will write out my hopes and dreams and what I think I hear as God’s invitations for the coming year. When I revisit this list in 12 months, I always am surprised. Amazed at what God spoke to me in January that threaded its presence throughout the year. This process reminds once again to let go of the expectations I thought I had written so beautifully and perfected that never blossomed. After all God is in charge not me. And always surprised … [Read more...]