I love to travel. I grew up in a family that traveled as we took many exciting adventures when I was young. My hubby and I discussed travel with two friends when we were in our first couple of years of marriage. The other couple, hard working and very seriously, told us they planned to pay off their mortgage and work on their careers before they did any travel. Later that summer we turned down a trip to Germany due to a possible job change. The new job never materialized and we missed a wonderful opportunity. We decided right then to always fully evaluate trip possibilities – no regrets. As a couple we would rather have memories with a mortgage than no mortgage and no trip memories. Travel took a higher value for us from that year on (not the highest, God holds that place in our lives, then our family next). I love to travel. Here are my 4½ reasons why: Travel is mind expanding. I love to learn and see new sites and explore ways of thinking. Attentive travel helps us … [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...]
The Hairs on my Head – Lectio Divina
“And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” Matthew 10: 30 One. Two. Three. Rats, I miscounted or did I already count that one? Lord you amaze me. You tell me you know the exact the number of hairs on my head at any given moment. You carefully watch over all of your loved ones. And we are all your loved ones. You watch each sparrow throughout the world. Each grain of sand. Every star in the universe. You have ordered it all within your grasp. You know. You know. Why do I let fear overwhelm me when you see to such minute details? Why does the color of my roots peeking through preoccupy me when you cherish the individual shaft of hair? Why do I think you have left me, can’t hear me, or have forgotten me – when you are so close to know that exact number? You, amazing God, who could scoop all of the oceans up in the palm of your hand, sees to such details such as numbering my hair. You paint the black and white strips on the dragonfly in my … [Read more...]
Playing With God – Quotes of the Week
“I, God, am your playmate. I will lead the child in you in wonderful ways for I have chosen you.” Mechtild of Magdeburg ********************************************** “O God, that we might dance with you, that we might rise from heavy ground and play with you around around. May we let go Of sterile fear And jump as freely As young deer. O God, That we might trust Your grace And leap with joy In your great embrace.” Edwina Gateley … [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...]
Prayer
Dear Friends, this isn't my typical Sunday blog post but have been traveling and got behind in my writing. Then today I stumbled across this lovely prayer that touched my heart. Perhaps it will resonate with you too. Blessings! Dear God, I cannot love Thee the way I want to. You are the slim crescent of a moon that I see and myself is the earth’s shadow that keeps me from seeing all the moon. The crescent is very beautiful and perhaps that is all one like I am should or could see; but what I am afraid of, dear God, is that my self shadow will grow so large that it blocks the whole moon, and that I will judge myself by the shadow that is nothing. I do not know you God because I am in the way. Please help me to push myself aside. Flannery O'Connor … [Read more...]
God’s Home Within – Quote of the Week – Julian of Norwich
"The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate, for in us is his home of homes, and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there. . . . The soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated." ~Julian of Norwich … [Read more...]