Heavy silence draped the normally chatty room. My Weight Watcher leader shared a list of what we shared as a group about the negative thoughts we experienced about managing our weight. We all listened with sad hearts to the damaging self-talk we splatter on ourselves. I will never lose weight. This is just too hard. Losing weight takes too much time. The leader then asked us to switch the statements to positive sayings: Slow but steady will win the battle. Starting new habits is hard but healthier. I am worth it. That last one startled my soul. “You are worth it, aren’t you?” she said. Silence again hung like a damp dirty rag on each person. The hesitation to answer that question said it all. None of us felt worthy of putting ourselves first in this war for better health. None of us felt good enough to spend the time, money and effort for new habits. None us were felt valuable or special enough. Not enough. Not good enough. Not worthy of love. The … [Read more...]
Lord, I Don’t Want to Be a Stumbling Block – Lectio Divina
“You are a stumbling block to me: for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Matthew 16: 23b Lord, I don’t want to be a stumbling block to you. But my human eyes only see human things. My spiritual eyes squint to the blurry images before me. I can barely make out my path. My hope seems out of reach. My final destination beyond veiled passages. My sight fails me; faith is the only way to clear my vision. Help me see others through your eyes of love. Free my view from the heavy shackles of earth and lift my eyes towards heaven. I don’t want to stand in your way but only in your shadow; not as an obstacle, but as an opening for your love to shine through. Touch my eyes, my heart, my soul, Lord and help me see. … [Read more...]
Prayer – Quote of the Week
Let prayer be the key of the morning and the bolt at night. Philip Henry … [Read more...]
Six Benefits of Wisdom
This summer I hear Wisdom calling me. It is as if wisdom has been inviting me to tea. I feel her tug to draw closer and get to know her better. So I have been reading, asking, searching, staying open and surprisingly quiet, trying to hear her lessons. Last June we had a good discussion on this blog about wisdom. So I thought I would share one dimension of wisdom I have been exploring and get your thoughts about the benefits of building wisdom in our lives. One aspect of learning more about wisdom is pondering the benefits. Why should we try to grow in God’s wisdom? What does the Bible teach us about this? Here is what I have discovered so far. Spending time with Lady Wisdom invites the following: Communion with God. Contemplation. Proverbs 2: 5 - then you will understand the fear of the Lord. Fear in this sentence does not mean the fright/flight human reaction but implies the awe-inspiring, can’t-quite-comprehend-it-all-wonder of God. Contrast – Proverbs 2: 5 – find … [Read more...]
Spiritual Muscle Memory
The Network of Bible StoryTellers Festival continues to teach me even now at home. I was amazed at how they learned to tell the stories – striving for 75% or more accuracy in the words they use and 95% accurate in the content of the story. One method they taught us to learn the stories was to add gestures; the same one each time to illustrate a point. For example, moving arms each time to point that Jesus moved from one place to another or to look up when looking at a mountain. Adding movement to the story creates muscle memory. Muscle memory is simply the process by which we consolidate a specific motor task into memory through repetition. Whatever the habit or movement worked on becomes so natural, it doesn’t need much conscious effort. The whole concept of muscle memory fascinates me and encourages me that maybe I can internalize long, more complex stories of the Bible. Though practice and repetition, my body helps me remember the words and action. How marvelous is … [Read more...]
Who Do You Say I Am? – Lectio Divina
But who do you say that I am? Matthew 16: 15 Lord I love sitting with your questions. My ego wants to jump in and give the proper and correct answer. Like a kid in school waving her hand, “Oh – Oh I know that one! Call on me, Master!” But today, I hold your question – “Who do you say I am?” Like Simon Peter I nod quietly – You are the Messiah, the son of the Living God. I believe that. I know that. I long to live each day with those words on my lips. And Lord, you are so much more too. More than I can find the words to describe or the image to imagine. You are Shepherd. You are Rock. You are Creator. You are Father. You are Potter. You are Defender. You are Magnificent. You are. You are. You are God. … [Read more...]
Keep our Questions Alive – Quote of the Week
It seems to me Lord that we search much too desperately for answers, when a good question holds as much grace as an answer. Jesus, you are the Great Questioner. Keep our questions alive, that we may always be seekers rather than settlers. Guard us well from the sin of settling in with our answers hugged to our breasts. Make of us a wondering, far-sighted, questioning, restless people And give us the feet of pilgrims on this journey unfinished. ~~Macrina Wiederkehr … [Read more...]
The Birth of a Book – An Advent Devotional
The birth of a book is a reason to celebrate for a writer. Look what arrived in the mail the other day from Barbour Publishing - Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room - An Advent Devotional - written by of all people - me. Holding a book that you write is a humbling, exciting, scary, awesome experience all bundled up into one gigantic YIPPEE! Late last fall I woke up early, often 5 am, prayed for help and wisdom and pecked away on the keyboard on this project. Then months go by and you almost forget about it when it magically appears and brightens your day. I am giddy today! Now my prayer is that its words brighten the Advent season for all who read it. The book is available on Amazon and I am sure other sites. There are 28 devotions, plus quotations, prayers and practical tips for the Christmas season. I know some of you write reviews and I would appreciate any book reviews and passing the word around promoting it. I know I am jumping too far ahead on the calendar … [Read more...]