Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to stranger, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.Hebrews 13: 1-2 Hospitality Lord, when you assigned gifts to people sealing them with your fingerprints and planting them deep within our souls, did you forget to give me the hospitality gene?Of all the love I see in others, the gift of welcoming others as Christ lies dormant. Is that seed even there or have I neglected it? I really don't know.I am ashamed that I don't even see the opportunities when faced directly with the chance to offer my warmth to a stranger or even a hurting friend. I tend to be critical and unaccommodating to others. I need you to open my hand and my heart.Drenched the dried up hospitality kernel in my soul with your life giving water.Nudge me out of my self-centered focus and help me see Christ in others.Lord, Henri Nouwen once wrote that hospitality is creating the space where a stranger can enter and become a friend … [Read more...]
God is Everywhere – Quote of the Week – Thomas Merton
Life is this simple.We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent and God is shining through it all the time.This is not just a fable or a nice story. It is true.If we abandon ourselves to God and forget ourselves, we see it sometimes and we see it maybe frequently.God manifests himself everywhere, in everything, in people and in things and in nature and in events.It becomes very obvious that he is everywhere and in everything and we cannot be without him.You cannot be without God. It's impossible. It's simply impossible.Thomas Merton … [Read more...]
What Cha’ Been Readin’? Three Interesting Books!
I love non-fiction. I know that puts me in the minority, but give me a good book full of fascinating info and I am a goner. Here are three good ones I devoured in August:Living theQuaker Way by Philip GulleyI received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but am not obligated to give it a good review.In Gulley's latest book he explains some of the key beliefs in the Quaker faith. These pillars are simplicity, peace, integrity, community and equality. I really enjoyed this easy to read peek into a faith I really didn't know much about.On Simplicity he writes: "What is needed is a new measure of success, for it is clear the further acquisition of good is not only unsustainable but also ultimately unsatisfying."With quotes like this and the included questions in the back of the book, this would be a great topic to study in a small group or Sunday School class interested in learning more about Quakers. Not only will you learn more, you will have … [Read more...]
Release, Renew, Refresh
Release, Renew, Refresh Jen Ferguson organizes a great community of Christian sisters called Soli Deo Gloria and Jen feeds us spiritually with thought provoking ideas and questions. Check out her blog, Finding Heaven here. The group's mission is "to encourage one another with words of affirmation and the love of Jesus. We seek to let each other in our lives, being real and vulnerable, so that we may be uplifted, refined, and grown in the body of Christ. As we receive, so we give, creating bonds of friendship and sisterhood." Her latest question got me a-thinkin'. What about the summer brought about a release of things ready to be let go, or a vacation that evoked a sense of renewal, or how do you long to be refreshed as the summer winds down and fall begins? Release - I am letting go of the busyness of a crazy summer schedule. We have been blessed to have many opportunities to travel since April and to host family here. Wonderful times but to be honest, I am … [Read more...]
What’s Impossible to God? – Quote of the Week
"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves."A.W. Tozer … [Read more...]
Five Favorite Bible Verses
I underline them in my Bible. What are YOUR favorite Bible verses? Then out comes the highlighter to dazzle my eyes with their message. I've rewritten them word by word in my journal, then wrote them once again in my own language. I've typed their words and hung them by my computer to remember to repeat them until they are scorched on my heart. Certain Bible verses that call out to me - "Take me, I'm yours." I've tasted their sweetness and chewed on their meaning for me. Here are five verses that bring me closer to God and draw me into his spirit. 1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 … [Read more...]
Three Tips To Growing Deeper with God
How do we keep growing deeper with God? One theme in my life this year has been growing deeper. A Bible verse calling to me recently is: "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him Your root will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. Ephesians, 3: 17 I have been trying to live this call in 2013 in two ways and just discovered last week another way I can't wait to try. Three Books about Growing Deeper with God I prayerfully asked God to lead me to three books to reread in 2013. I chose - hopefully with his blessing -: The Cloud of the Unknowing - CarmenButcher The Interior Castle - Teresa of Avila John 14 What I am doing is rereading these texts slowly and savoring their lessons. I highlight, rewrite passages in my own words and journal my thoughts. Too often I skim books and quickly forget their words of wisdom. Lectio Divina - Growing Deeper with God Lectio Divina means divine reading and is … [Read more...]
God’s Questions
Do I not see what happens in secret? Am I not everywhere, filling heaven and earth? I have heard these prophets who speak lies in My name. They say, “I had a dream, I had a dream,” and claim it was Me speaking to them! How long will this go on? Will the hearts of these lying prophets ever change? How long will they deceive themselves and all who listen to them? They think they can make My people forget My name with all this talk of dreams—just as their ancestors forgot My name as they worshiped Baal. If a prophet has a dream, he should tell others of that dream. But the one who has My word should speak it with unshakable faith. For what is straw worth, when compared to grain? Does not My word burn like fire? Does it not shatter rock like a strong hammer? Jeremiah 23:23-29 The Voice Lord, you ask lots of questions this week for me to ponder. Am I only a God who is close by, and not a God of the farthest … [Read more...]