Dry and hot - that is the best way to describe the weather in northwest Ohio this summer. We have had more days over 90 degrees and too many over 100 than ever before on record. THEN add to it very little rain - the ground is cracked and parched and the poor plants withering.Sometimes summer drains our spiritual life too. We rush to kid’s ballgames, speed through vacations trying to see everything we can, and take on household projects like the Pharaoh trying to build the pyramids. I become my soul’s slave driver - “Work! Go! Do!”Reminds me of the story I once heard: A group of Americans made a trip with Brazilian natives down the Amazon River. The first day they rushed. The second day they rushed. The next day they rushed. One day, anxious to continue the trek, they were surprised to find the natives seated together in a circle.When asked the reason for the delay, a guide answered, "They are waiting. They cannot move further until their souls have caught up with their bodies."I have … [Read more...]
Giving Thanks – Lectio Divina
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1: 16 (NIV)Lord my heart spills over with thankfulness.My hands embraced all the blessings You have showered upon me these past two weeks.I know not all times are good.I know detours, potholes and even dangerous crashes could come my way anytime on this journey.But in this rest stop, I look up to You, praising Your name and saying thank you.Thank you for Bill, my loving husband and wonderful companion for 40 years of marriage.Thank you for allowing us the privilege to raise three of Your miracles and see them as healthy happy, loving adults.Thank you for enlarging our family with the gift of spouses for our kids and three surprising wonders called grandchildren.Thank you for sweet, giving friends; I know if I needed someone in the middle of the night they would quickly come.Thank you for walking with me, guiding me, nurturing me closer to You.Thank you for Your son - coming to us to save us and light out … [Read more...]
Finding Silence within Ourselves – Quote of the Week
Silence (Photo credit: Mara ~earth light~) There is a huge silence inside each of us that beckons us into itself, and the recovery of our own silence can begin to teach us the language of heaven." Meister Eckhart … [Read more...]
Ten Books That Feed my Mind and Spirit
I love books!Reading the words written by wiser, much more mature Christians nourishes my spiritual journey.I don’t just read books; I highlight words, dog-ear the corners, and rewrite quotes in my journal. I print out soul-refreshing lines and hang them around my desk or clip them into my blank books. Their prayers, often birthed centuries before me, send their roots deep into my heart and bubble up to my lips.I thought I would share with you today ten books that kindle my spiritual walk. Sigh, only ten?Now I could easily list more, but the Internet may crash from its weight and ten is such a nice number. So ten it is:1. NIV Study Bible - I have other Bibles and have looked at many more, but this torn, underlined, scribbled in the margin version is my treasure. The edges unravel under the tape and it is too bulky to skip easily into my purse, but how could I part from this long companion? 2. Something More by Catherine Marshall. I had trouble choosing which Catherine Marshall book to … [Read more...]
Surprised by Love
I let my heart go away (Photo credit: WolfS♡ul)Forty years ago I married Bill. Yes this July 15 we will celebrate a milestone. It certainly doesn't seem like that long ago; after all I don't feel that old. (Of course I could fudge a little and say something about being a child bride, but I digress...) I am surprised by love. I love him more now than I did in 1972. What a blessing to realize the depth of the tender bond between us after these years. Our kids gave us a weekend get away. The package included hotels and activities we like such as wineries, minor league baseball game and adventures to new part of Michigan we had never visited. They planned well, knowing what we would love to do and see. Their thoughtfulness and ingenuity amazed us, but the definition of the word surprise includes elements of the unexpected and unanticipated. We thought the trip would involve just the two of us. Nope. Our children arranged to have a whole group of our lifelong friends celebrate … [Read more...]
Delighting in My Weakness – Lectio Divina
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 I delight in weaknessesLord, I am not enough.I can't do this on my own.I cannot save myself.I try. I strive. I struggle to do my best.I work so hard - often for me, sometimes for You.I am too weak to get everything done.I need You. My soul's poverty reaches out to You as the woman stretched forth her hand to touch Your hem of healing. Then I hear You say gently, "But I am enough. I am the power when you are defenseless and a strength in your vulnerability."Lord, You are the Rock and High Tower.You are vast in my emptiness.You are significant in my smallness.You are the strength in my frailties and fragileness.Lord … [Read more...]
Prayer by John Wesley
prayer.. (Photo credit: aronki)“Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours. Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will. Let be employed by You or laid aside for You, exalted for You or brought low by You. Let me have all things, let me have nothing, I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal. And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, You are mine and I am Yours. So be it. Amen.” John Wesley … [Read more...]
Fun to Do the Impossible
“It's kind of fun to do the impossible.” I smiled when I read this quote the other day from Walt Disney. The words also made me pause and consider what in my life seemed impossible but would be fun to try anyway. I wonder if God feels that way sometimes."Mmmm," God thinks. "I think I will do the impossible today: let's make hummingbirds to fly even though aerodynamically they shouldn’t be able to. Maybe I will add a unique feature to the Alcon Blue butterfly so it becomes one of the few animals to perfectly imitate the smell and sounds of another species. Even better, I will make humans in My image. Yep, that sounds delightful."I have been thinking about dreams and hopes lately and how we permit the world to discourage us from trying to do what God has planted deep within us. We settle for the safe possible, instead of the risk of new ideals. I know I am my own worse enemy with negative thinking and self-pity that often stops me thinking my idea is feasible. I listen more to the … [Read more...]