Where were you ten years ago? 2003. I took out my journal from that year this morning and travelled back in time. Work drove me crazy that year. I know the financial burdens, the personnel issues and the ongoing less than happy job satisfaction I identified that year, steered me to my eventual early retirement from that position in 2006. We remodeled the kitchen. If you ever tore up your house for a major renovation, you know exactly how I felt ten years ago. My brother-in-law died. My kids all experienced tensions, decisions and restlessness. And I answered God’s call to step out of my comfort zone and into new adventures. The first holy invitation opened with the beginning of my journey to become a spiritual director that year. I completed that wonderful, still evolving process in 2006. My journal records another significant call that year: November 20, 2003. I had been praying for guidance in the study to be an associate in ministry or what is … [Read more...]
Peace – Lectio Divina
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."John 20:19, 21-22, 26Peace be with you.What a powerful greeting, Lord.That was the first word I heard You said when You appear before us, Your disciples. We have been hiding behind locked doors so afraid of the others, the rumors, the unknown. Your first gift to us? “Peace.”Fear vanished. Rejoice! My heart skips with delight. You are alive!We celebrate Your presence, once again You offer Your sacred gift,“Peace.”What more could we ever ask … [Read more...]
One Wonderful Reason to Love Spring – Quote of the Week
Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world. ~Virgil A. Kraft … [Read more...]
Independence and Interruption Inversion
Inversion - The act of reversing, turning inside out or upside down. Inversion - what has happened to my belief about my independence and how I perceive interruptions. Independence Inversion Most of my life when asked to identify my strengths, one answer I would give with a firm nod of my head is my independence. My parents died when I was young. My older brothers were absent for many reasons. My independence brought me leadership opportunities, chances to learn, and affirmation from others. I could do anything I put my mind to. I was proud to be independent. As my spiritual journey continued and my chronological path led to a little more wisdom, I now see my independence as an obstacle to God. I think I need to be in control. Thank you, Lord, but I can handle this one on my own. I’ll get back to You later when I need You. My trait of independence once flaunted and trotted about in all its glory, now feels heavy, weighing me down and pulling … [Read more...]
Celebrating Spring
April has finally arrived. I don’t know about you but I need, really need spring. I want to open my windows, replacing the stale furnace air with Ohio warm breezes. I need to see new life springing up from the earth and bursting at the tips of branches. I love to watch the birds frolic in the backyard and create homes in nests built with scraps and broken leftover pieces. Spring reminds me that no matter how dark, dreary and long winter is, hope will come again. Spring is God’s reminder He will come again. To celebrate Spring’s arrival, I want to roll down my car window and hang my head out like dogs love to do. Instead I behave and yell, “Welcome” as loud as I can on a stretch of the road where no one can hear or see me. I smile at Spring’s invitation to rejoice and dance with delight with the Lord. My heart spills with gratitude for resurrection. Spring by Mary Oliver Faith is the instructor. We … [Read more...]
I Have Seen the Lord – Lectio Divina
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him."Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself.Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples … [Read more...]
Easter Saturday Grace – Quote of the Week – Paul Tillich
Easter Quote Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness. It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of a meaningless and empty life. It strikes us when, year after year, the longed-for perfection does not appear, when the old compulsions reign within us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage. Sometime at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying, "You are accepted. You are accepted," accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Do not seek for anything, do not perform anything, do not intend … [Read more...]
The Verbs of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
Ever notice the verbs from Maundy Thursday and Good Friday? I read the other day that too often we speak and write about faith in Jesus and ignore the faith of Jesus. Jesus’ words, prayers, tears, humility, and suffering during this point of the Holy Week story illustrate His faith. WE can research and listen for these action words occurring during Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and all the way through Easter morning celebrations. The verbs - the part of speech that shows action and perhaps the most important word in a sentence - show us Jesus’ faith. Breath in their meanings and ponder their lessons as you worship this holy week. I looked up the verbs of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday - the week that changed everything: Jesus spoke Replied Answered Took bread Gave thanks Broke it Gave it to the disciples Took the cup Gave thanks Offered it to the disciples Sang hymns Predicted Knelt in the garden Fell on his face Prayed more Found the disciples … [Read more...]