What are you afraid to give to Me?I was surprised to hear this question today. Quieting myself following my morning devotions, I spent the next few minutes rambling on and on with my litany of supposedly important wants and needs, my prayers for others, my ever-present complaints, and a dash of praise and thankfulness for good measure. Finally like a spent two year old, I rested on God’s lap of love, leaning on His chest and listened to His heartbeat. That is when I heard Him whisper.What are you afraid to give to Me?What am I clinging to with clenched fists, hiding behind my back, leaving hidden in dark corners? Why is fear my reaction to giving God everything? “Shouldn’t” I trust Him with my all?St. Ignatius called anything that hinders us from growing closer to God or doing His will a “disordered attachment.” These could be good things, just not in the right priority. What fills my hearts first instead of God? The list is endless. Physical things - like loving my house or brand … [Read more...]
The Gift of Words – Lectio Divina
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive.Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.Ephesians 4: 29, 31-32 (The Message)Add captionLord I need you to stand guard at the opening of my mouth.My strongest and most damaging muscle is my tongue.You urge me to watch how I talk. To let nothing unpleasant, unclean and dishonest escape from me.My only words should be helpful, kind, and reflect You.Each word is a gift, You say in this verse.Every single word, all of them, my entire vocabulary.All sounds, syllables, expressions, and remarks.All are gifts - from You to You and to others.Like choosing just the right gift for the right time, help me choose the right words.Show me how to wrapped them in their finest divine packaging.Remind me to be generous with compliments, gratitude, and … [Read more...]
Let Our Light Shine, Not our Fear – Quote of the Week
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God … It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."- Marianne Williamson … [Read more...]
Olympic Oomphs and Ovations
(Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)I sure have enjoyed the Olympics these past weeks. Many of the stories are inspirational and encouraging. We see the story of life portrayed in the ups and downs, the striving, the unexpected twists and turns, and even the grit in picking one self up and continuing.One neat aspect this year is the emphasis on the parent support, especially mothers. Proctor and Gamble produced this commercial honoring all that moms do to help their children succeed. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it.Reminds me to express my thanks and be grateful for those behind the scenes. The teacher that comes in three weeks early before school starts to get her classroom ready and to write welcoming notes for her students. The man who walks the pews after church straightening up the mess left behind by others. People who pray for strangers and give to food banks. So many everyday Olympians.I saw a video few months ago of Olympic Gold Medalist and figure … [Read more...]
Robert Bruce’s Lesson from a Spider
Ever hear the story of Robert Bruce and the spider? My pastor shared his story during the sermon this past Sunday and its message lingered in my heart. The devil knows his best tool to trip me up is discouragement. Perseverance is not a natural strength for me and I bet not for most of us. Yet that “try one more time attitude” fills me with optimist hope that maybe, just maybe the next time... When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown People in Scotland like to tell the legend of Robert Bruce and the spider. In 1306 he was crowned King of Scotland and began the quest to free Scotland from the English. Battle after battle he had fought with England. Six times Robert Bruce had led his brave little army against his foes. Six times his men had been beaten, until finally they were driven into flight. At last the army of Scotland was entirely scattered, and the king was forced to hide in the woods and in lonely places among the mountains. He … [Read more...]
Psalm 100 – Lectio Divina
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.Lord You amaze me.Why am I surprised when you answer prayer? I asked You to teach me how to worship You better and found the answer today in this well known psalm.I am to come to You with gladness and joy-filled songs.I am to acknowledge with my heart, my mind and my spirit that You are Lord, the creator of all.I am to confess I am only one tiny lamb in your flock, but one loved and protected by a great Shepherd.Thankfulness and praise pull me into Your arms like magnets.You are good, oh so good.You love us unconditionally and unceasingly.Your faithfulness links all of us … [Read more...]
Learning Deep In Unknown Territory – Quote of the Week
"It is the basic principle of spiritual life that we learn the deepest things in unknown territory. Often it is when we feel most confused inwardly and are in the midst of our greatest difficulties that something new will open. We awaken most easily to the mystery of life through our weakest side. The areas of our greatest strength, where we are the most competent and clearest, tend to keep us away from the mystery."- Jack Kornfield … [Read more...]
Pondering Prayer – Five Interesting Quotes about Prayer
I love quotes. Quotes make me think. They summarize and clarify. They help me see things in new perspective. Though I may not always agree with everything that is written, it is mind stretching to muse over the words. I like quotes that feed my spirit and bring new language to my conversations with God.Here are five quotes I have read recently about prayer:“Prayer is what you do to bring yourself to attend to God and to pay attention to others.” Leonard Sweet.Attending to God is a different way to think about prayer, don’t you think? “May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.”― Mother TeresaSaying this prayer takes lots of courage. “Prayer is to be in God’s presence with open hands and an open heart. There are many things in my life to which I cling as with a clinched fist – my possessions for sure but the immaterial things as well–the work I do, the position I hold, the friends I have, my ideas, my principles, my image. If I should open my fist, they … [Read more...]