INFJ on the Meyers-Briggs. Three on the Enneagram. Now that you know my inside secrets of my personality, please don't leave! Ha! I have always been fascinated by these personality profiles. While I don't want to be pigeonholed in some box of identify, I have gained insight and deeper self-knowledge by learning through these scales. Knowing myself better has helped me shed the false self - the masks I put on to appear what the world, others and even myself thought I should be. I feel more comfortable in the skin of this true being, accepting my strengths and my flaws. Knowing my "Achilles heel" has also been useful since I've learned the devil also know where he can sneak into my ego. Being aware of that has more than once opened my eyes early on to missteps and disbeliefs. “Without knowledge of self, there is no knowledge of God. Our wisdom, insofar as it ought to be deemed true and solid wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and … [Read more...]
Justified by Grace – Lectio Divina
"For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.Romans 3: 23, 28Grace.Unmerited love.Unearned mercy.All God in all of his being.None of my doing.How can I ever thank you, Lord for loving me so unconditionally?Your forgiveness expands to fill the universe and heals the holes in my heart.What a glorious gift.The gift of grace.The gift of Christ. The gift of your presence.Your grace rains down upon my dry parched soul and gives me life. Thank you sweet Papa. … [Read more...]
Autumn Prayer
AUTUMN PRAYER God of all creation, you give us the gift of seasons to mark our journey through time. The season of autumn, with its change of colors and falling leaves, reminds us that sometimes things must die and fall away for new life to arise. Such is the message of the cross — that through death to self we find life in all its richness. In those moments when we experience setbacks for failures, help us to remember that you are with us always, and that there is no failure or sin your love cannot heal. Help us to trust in you and in your promise of new life. Peter Jarret, C.S.C. What is your autumn prayer? How are you praying this season? Try writing your own autumn prayer. Share your autumn prayer in social media and in the comments below. Take the time to talk with God this fall and see what he reveals to you in your words. You may be surprised! For more weekend reflections check out this post. … [Read more...]
Who Are You? – 2013 Reader Survey Results
Who are you? As a blogger I wondered who read these words I hurl into cyberspace four times a week. Thank you to all of you who took the time to give me some feedback and insight into who glances at my writings by filling out the survey I sent out a couple of weeks ago. How wonderful to meet you as a whole.One question generated a slew of interesting answers and remains one we probably all need to ponder. What do you struggle with?I thought I would try to group some of the answers to share with you today and promise to bring many of them back to this space for our conversations in the future.One big struggle for many of us is finding time, keeping God as our first priority, and being consistent in spiritual practices.We also wrestle with trusting God, especially in times when he can't hear him and wonder if he is hearing us.Quite a few people mentioned their lack of self worth, and self-esteem, self-doubts, discouragement, alone-ness and knowing God/Jesus really loved them without … [Read more...]
10 Simple Steps for Happiness
Researchers are identifying common ways to build more happiness in life. I recently read an article that listed ten ways to move towards more joy and was fascinated how simple and short these were. Here is the link to the full article about the 10 simple things you can do today that will make you happier, backed by science. Why do I want to make everything more complex and difficult? I have been pondering this and concluded I am really just seeking excuses. "Of course I would be happier if only I could do that impossible thing! But it is too hard so I will just stay here permanently in Whiney Ville and wallow in my sorrow." Here is the list and I think you will see just how simple these actions are: 1. Exercise more - 7 minutes may be enough. 2. Sleep more - you will less sensitive to negative emotions. 3. Move closer to work - a short commute is worth more than a big house 4. Spend time with family and friends 5. Go outside. 6. Help others - 100 hours a … [Read more...]
Praying Persistently – Lectio Divina
"Be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable."2 Timothy 4: 2bThe Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lost heart."Luke 18: 1Your lesson this week, Lord encourages me.Be persistent.You don't mind me bothering you.Repeating requests.Whining a bit.Dare I say - bargaining and begging at times.I come to you with a whole range of prayers - some for myself, many for others.Sometimes I tell you what I need to you to do. Thanks for listening. . . and forgiving my bossiness.Some times I can't find the words, so turn my prayer over to you knowing the Holy Spirit will carry it into your heart.But you invite me back.You persistently welcome me into your presence.You cheer me on to keep praying no matter what.What a glorious invitation this is: To approach the King, our Savior, the Lord Creator, with my petty, transitory, and fear drenched pleas.I talk, yell, plead, barter and even argue and you listen with love.You say come.I come with too much … [Read more...]
Change Me, Oh God – Quote of the Week
Change me, oh God, Into a tree in autumn And let my dying Be a blaze of glory! Drape me in a Crimson, leafy gown, And deck my soul In dancing flakes of gold! And then when Death Comes by, and with his hands Strips off my rustling garment Let me stand Before him, proud and naked, Unashamed, uncaring, All the strength in me revealed Against the sky! Oh, God Make me an autumn tree If I must die! Esther Pope, 1896-1958 … [Read more...]
7 Questions to Ask When Choosing between Good vs. Great
"I have to learn to say no." my friend sighed. "Life is full of so many great choices, it is hard to chose at times," I said. This conversation last Tuesday made me wonder again how to choose between good and great. Some times both options are great. Which one to choose? ahhh, the conflict between good vs. great. Then I read this quote today from Charles Spurgeon: “Learn to say no. It will be of more use to you than to be able to read Latin.” Discernment can be difficult. I know I would love to have God simply tell me what to do sometimes (to be honest many times I want to control that decision - but when I am not sure that's the time I want him to tell me clearly and directly.) DO THIS JEANIE. GO THIS WAY! That is what I want to see headlined in the clouds! I want clear direction between good vs great. I get so excited about learning, accomplishing, and growing as a person I jump into something because it is good instead of really stepping back and … [Read more...]