Here are some winter wonderings. February is the longest month of the year. Or least it always seems that way to me in cold wintry Ohio. I once suggested to God that He move February to between July and August, so we would have an extra month of summer sunshine and one less month of dreary chilly mornings. Of course He never did this; perhaps that is why He is God and I am not. (Anyway some of my friends from the Southern Hemisphere probably wouldn’t have liked that either.) Winter is a time of rest of my soul and reflection. During Lent and this frosty time of year I am wondering today about my Month of Writing Letters, my ongoing lessons about my word(s) of the year: STRETCH and ENOUGH, and my attempts at honoring the Sabbath. Handwritten Letters During Winter About a month ago I wrote about The Lost Art of Handwriting Letters and the Month of Letters Challenge. So far I have written and mailed 26 notes to friends, some I see often and some I haven’t even met. What … [Read more...]
The Hen Protects Her Chicks – An Unusual Symbol of God’s Love – Lectio Divina
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."He said to them, "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.'Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, 'Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'" Luke 13:31-35How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.You a chicken, Lord?This is one Biblical symbol at first I had trouble grasping.Then I watched a hen protect … [Read more...]
Weekend Blessing – Quote of the Week – John O’Donohue
Blessed be the longing that brought you here and that quickens your soul with wonder.May you have the courage to befriend your eternal longing.May you enjoy the critical and creative companionship of the question "Who am I?" and may it brighten your longing.May a secret Providence guide your thought and shelter your feeling.May your mind inhabit your life with the same sureness with which your body belongs to the world.May the sense of something absent enlarge your life.May your soul be as free as the ever-new waves of the sea.May you succumb to the danger of growth.May you live in the neighborhood of wonder.May you belong to love with the wildness of Dance.May you know that you are ever embraced in the kind circle of God.John O'Donohue … [Read more...]
The Voice
The Voice - no, not the TV show, the Bible translation.I heard that this version was released about a year ago but hadn’t explored it yet. Then a few weeks one of my favorite Bible reference web pages - Biblegateway - added The Voice to its choices. mmm, maybe it was time to take a look. The Biblegateway blog had an interesting post about thedifferent versions they use when they added The Voice Bible. They also have a full explanation and information about The Voice Bible on this page.The publisher, Thomas Nelson, describes The Voice as: “a faithful dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all the truth and wisdom of God's Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching, The Voice invites readers to enter into the whole story of God, enabling them to hear God speaking and to experience His presence in their lives. Through a collaboration of nearly 120 biblical scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and artists, The Voice recaptures the passion, … [Read more...]
Daring Greatly, Being STRETCHED and Jumping into the Arena
What is daring greatly? I “met” Brene Brown through her TED talks. She speaks on ThePower of Vulnerability here and her talk on Listening to Shame here. Both are worth your time to listen. TED talks are wonderful conversations about life, the world and curiosity. People present in less than 20 minutes a peek into their research, their experiences and/or their learning. Their mission is to spread ideas. I always learn something new when I watch a TED talk. Brene studies and writes about such fascinating topics as shame, vulnerability and courage. She listens deeply to people and the journalist in me loves the questions she asks others to explore. Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston, graduate school of social work. She has written several books: The Gifts of Imperfection and I Thought I was Just Me. My daughter, Valerie gave me her latest book, Daring Greatly, at Christmas. (Thanks Val!) I just finished Daring Greatly. Don’t you love it when a … [Read more...]
Trusting God’s Word – Lectio Divina
Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry. The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: “Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to really live.” For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, “They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works.” Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.” For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, “If … [Read more...]
Lenten Prayer – Henri Nouwen
Lenten Prayer The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you. Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and in every place. Give me the strength and the courage to live this … [Read more...]
The Power of Kind Words
Kind words are powerful. In the mornings I hear a chorus of chirpy dings as emails drop into my inbox. Notes from friends. New posts on blogs I follow. Headlines from a few news agencies. Yesterday one email changed my day. A person wrote me to tell me how much she liked reading Healthy Spirituality. “You never know how far yours goes but please know that you make a difference to a small Congregational church in Massachusetts.” Now I am not sharing this to brag or asking for more compliments. Mark Twain wrote: “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Notice he didn’t say dwell on them, brag about them, or refuse them. He let them digest to build his inner strength and nourishment. What amazed me what my reaction to her email. Her kind words washed over me, refreshed me and lifted my spirits. I think I smiled the rest of the day. “One kind word can warm three winters.” A Japanese Proverb Her email also reminded me about my … [Read more...]