“Independence is the root of human sin, and it develops into conformity to the world. It is the broad, self-asserting and dominant “me” that would be a god. The first step, then, in the new life is surrender. Everything must be yielded to God, even the things that in themselves may be harmless. Why? For no other reason than to prove our will is wholly laid down and that God is all in all.”by ~ A.B. SimpsonThis quote stood out to me this week. For years I thought independence was a strength. I was proud of this characteristic; thankful for the courage and opportunities it brought to my life and even fostered this trait in my children. Perhaps I needed to rely on this crutch for that season of my life.But now I see independence as an obstacle between God and me and a difficult attachment to surrender.How do you view independence? … [Read more...]
Lent – a Solemn Season or a Season of Joy and a Little Lent Madness?
Lent begins in two weeks. In my church and I think this is true for other denominations, we don’t sing any Alleluias during lent. Why? I don’t know. I looked it up. In the season of Lent we focus on repentance and being sorry for our sins. Singing or saying the word "alleluia" has historically been suspended during Lent's forty days. The omission of alleluia during Lent goes back at least to the fifth century in the western church. Some churches even sing farewell to Alleluias the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. One other unusual ritual with this normal expression of praise is “burying the alleluias.” Yep, you read that correctly. Some churches make an alleluia from paper, fabric, metal, wood, or some other natural material that may be carried in procession or might lead a parade accompanied by instruments and singing. Burial could take place in the ground, or the alleluia could simply be placed in a suitable container that will remain in the worship space as a visual … [Read more...]
The Lost Art of a Handwritten Letter
My dad served in WWII, most of the time as a surgeon in a hospital in the Philippians. I cherish the six letters he wrote to my mom that were decorated by a recovering patient. What I treasure most though is his handwriting. Perhaps that is why I read in interest a blog last week, Yearning for God, about a month of letters challenge. A month of letters began in 2012 by writer Mary Robinette Kowal. Her idea is simple - write one letter each day in February. You can read more and sign up on this website. Her rules are easy: “1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch. 2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items. 3. All you are committing to is to mail 23 items. Why 23? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 23 items. You … [Read more...]
My Only Response – AMEN – Lectio Divina
He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. Ezra the teacher of the Law stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam.Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.Nehemiah 8: 3-6 (NIV)Ezra opened the book... Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with … [Read more...]
Spiritual Lessons in Frost – Quote of the Week – Joyce Rupp
"One winter morning I awoke to see magnificent lines of frost stretching across my window panes. They seemed to rise with the sunshine and the bitter cold outside. They looked like little miracles that had been formed in the dark of night. I watched them in sheer amazement and marveled that such beautiful forms could be born during such a winter-cold night. Yet, as I pondered them I thought of how life is so like that. We live our long, worn days in the shadows, in what often feels like barren, cold winter, so unaware of the miracles that are being created in our spirits. It takes the sudden daylight, some unexpected surprise of life, to cause our gaze to look upon a simple, stunning growth that has happened quietly inside us. Like frost designs on a winter window, they bring us beyond life's fragmentation and remind us that we are not nearly as lost as we thought we were, that all the time we thought we were dead inside, beautiful things were being born in us."Joyce RuppPraying our … [Read more...]
At Lo Levad – We are Not Alone
I love NCIS. My hubby kids me and calls Tuesday nights at 8 pm the “holy hour.” Don’t call me when there is a new show on. I won’t be nice.CBS NCISLast week’s episode showed a tender moment between two of the characters that lingered with me. As Ziva gets ready to fly to Israel, Tony hugs her and says something in her ear in Hebrew. She smiles and says, “I know.”What did Tony say?At lo levad - You are not alone.You are not alone. How we all hunger to hear that. I think many of us desperately want to believe that. This world can be a tough place where we often feel lost. There is hope and renewal in hearing:You are not alone.Reminded me of the beloved 23rd Psalm:The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, For you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.You … [Read more...]
No Regrets – Why I am Seeking a God-sized Dream
Bill and I had been married a couple of years when my brother, who was serving in the Army, was stationed in Germany. “Come over and visit us” was his invitation. We talked about going. We saved the money. We never went. We let life’s worries and “what if’s” block an opportunity and we have regretted it ever since. Bill and I often use this decision from early in our married life as a plum line for discernment. Will we regret not taking this opportunity? Will we look back later in life and say we should have? “The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~ Unknown Holly Gerth has been challenging us to discover and explore God-sized dreams. She has invited us to say yes to a God sized Dream. She explains her project on her blog here: She writes: “This is an invitation to come alive and live the life you were designed to live. And when you do, you can’t help but encounter the wonder of … [Read more...]
Ordinary into Extraordinary/ Water into Wine – Lectio Divina
On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”“Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to … [Read more...]