What gets you going? What makes you feel fully alive? Often doing something you feel passionate about not only helps you, but also enriches those around you and really the whole community.Passion.My writer friend, Johnnie, loves watching movies and reading books about World War II. Most of her stories take place in that time era or bloom from an element that occurred during the war. She has become an expert in those events."I am not sure about being an expert, but I do love it," she wrote in an email to me.That's passion. Something you love."Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." ~Attributed to Howard ThurmanReading the fine print in the church bulletin yesterday, I discovered how someone who lived two centuries ago, found a passion that continues to touch us today.Catherine Winkworth was honored as a hymn translator this week. Catherine who? I never heard of … [Read more...]
The Risk of Faith – Lectio Divina
A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"His disciples said, "What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you're asking, 'Who touched me?' Dozens have touched you!"But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a … [Read more...]
Giving Thanks – Quote of the Week – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"Only he who gives thanks for little things receives the big things.We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts.We think we dare not be satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experience that God has given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious.We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts.How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?”~Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community … [Read more...]
Texas Wildflowers Lessons
We visited good friends in Austin Texas last April. As we traveled around the area sightseeing, we noticed the beautiful wildflowers blooming along every highway. But nothing prepared me for the colorful splendor of the Wildseed Farms, about seven miles outside Fredericksburg.Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. The farm has more than 200 cultivated acres at its Hill Country headquarters.Take in this verse from Matthew, then enjoy the photos of God's palette:"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. … [Read more...]
It is Well with My Soul – How Music Stirs Our Spirit
I worshiped yesterday.We helped our son and daughter-in-law moved into their new home outside of Chicago and then went to church with them on Sunday. Proud mommy moment: watching through tears my pastor son praying, preparing and distributing communion. But it was the music that captured my heart and enfolded me into worship of our King and Lord yesterday. One particular hymn - its words, its story and its music - felt like God and I were having an intimate conversation, just between the two of us. Peace swirled in my heart and filled that empty place I keep hidden away.The hymn? It is Well with my SoulDo you know its story? A Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford, a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy, wrote this hymn. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures.The Spafford's only son died from scarlet fever when he was only four. He lost most of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.He knew his family needed … [Read more...]
The Lord’s Blessings – Lectio Divina
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat."You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for."You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world."You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family."You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into … [Read more...]
The Knot Prayer – Quote of the Week
Dear God,Please untie the knotsthat are in my mind,my heart and my life.Remove the have nots,the can nots and the do notsthat I have in my mind.Erase the will nots,may nots, andmight nots that finda home in my heart.Release me from the could nots,would nots andshould nots that obstruct my life.And most of all, dear God,I ask that you remove from my mindmy heart and my life all of the am notsthat I have allowed to hold me back,especially the thoughtthat I am not good enough.Amen(author unknown) … [Read more...]
Choosing Hope
English: photo of Catrien Eagles's pet cat called Tigger. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)"I worry about your little girl," said the tall gray haired lady. "She always looks so solemn."That little girl was me.I don't know why that day my facial appearance was serious and sober, but I heard that comment more than once in my life. To be honest I was not born optimistic. That line will surprise people who know me now.Yep, I am a natural Eoyore, not a Tigger. As an adult I have consciously decided to live with a positive attitude. I choose hope.Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul. - Emily Dickinson The glass isn't just half full or half empty. Even if the glass only holds half of its volume with fluid, the brim is topped off with precious life-giving air. I like to think that space is chocked-full of the Spirit. I hold a full cup each day since God fills in whatever is missing.So now I am that cockeyed optimist we sing about in music.That is why I really enjoyed receiving … [Read more...]