Patty Wysong has created a fun meme where once a week bloggers posted on the letter of the week. Check out the details here. It is called A2Z: Take 2. A2Z as she challenges bloggers to write a post each week going through the alphabet. Take 2 since this is the second time she has used this meme. Anyone can join in and you don’t have to always participate. This week’s letter is L:L = Lists What’s on Your Bucket List?One of the best Christian radio stations is WBCL. They have a wonderful program at 10 am each morning called Midmorning where they discuss a whole variety of topics. Last week they discuss bucket lists.What is on your bucket list?A bucket list, in case you don’t know, is a compilation of things you want to do or places to go before you kick the bucket. You take the time to ask yourself, "If I knew I were going to die next week, I would most regret not doing _______." I think the benefit of a bucket list is the power of writing out dreams. Once you see them listed before … [Read more...]
God’s Writing on my Heart – Lectio Divina
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.“I will put my law in their mindsand write it on their hearts.I will be their God,and they will be my people. Jeremiah 31:33 (NIV)Write it on their hearts.Alpha, Omega and Lord of all the letters, write your commandments on my heart.Take your divine pen with permanent ink, compose a message planted deep within me that I will never lose nor forget.Scribble Your thoughts and dreams for me.Engrave Your blueprints.Inscribe Your name.You said You will be my God and I will be one of Your people.I cling to that promise and bare my heart to Your fountain pen.My heart is empty, blank, void without You.I long to connect with You through Your words and Your grace.Once Your ink penetrates me I will be forever changed.Your word so close inside me I will never forget You again.A eternal reminder of who I belong to and who I follow. … [Read more...]
Lent – A Clearing Season
If we picture all the obstructions between us and God as a wilderness, Lent presents us with time to clear and cultivate a part of that wilderness, to create an open space in it. In this newly opened space, we may live more freely and commune more closely with the divine. We can transform this wilderness and make it our home, our garden, a place that invites God in and asks God to stay.-Sarah Parsons A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent … [Read more...]
You’re Already Amazing – New Book by Holley Gerth
My eyes filled up with tears. Maybe I was just tired or maybe it was the message so many shared that day. I do know and agree with the Frederick Buechner quote: “Whenever you find tears in your eyes, especially unexpected tears, it is well to pay the closest attention. They are not only telling the secret of who you are, but more often than not of the mystery of where you have come from and are summoning you to where you should go next.”So I paid attention to what they said: “I am not good enough.”“I am never enough.”“I don’t deserve God’s love.”I shook my head along with the knowing I too struggling with that false belief. We need to hear a new message. Perhaps that is why I like Holly Gerth’s new book, You’re Already Amazing – Embracing Who You Are, Becoming All God Created You to Be. What a phrase to ponder. What intrigued me though, was the front cover of the book and how the title emphasized the word ALREADY. Just think how our lives would change if we really lived as if we … [Read more...]
The Special Ks
On Tuesdays this year I have been having fun participating in Patty Wysong’s blog meme where once a week bloggers posted on the letter of the week. Check out the details here. It is called A2Z: Take 2. A2Z as she challenges bloggers to write a post each week going through the alphabet. This week’s letter is K and the letter K starts one particular word that is number one in my heart: well that is not entirely true: Three words to be exact.KylaKorbin KastinMeet my grandKids – three K’s and as our good friend Don nicknamed them: The Special KsKyla will be three in June and is a bubbling full of life toddler. She has been featured on this blog right after she was born and also several times when just watching her taught me spiritual lessons. Here what I wrote the day Kyla was born about God’s whoosh sweeping into our hearts.The wonder and curiosity of little ones teaches us also. So many lessons such as celebrating our firsts in life, tooKorbin and Kastin were born July 17. We get … [Read more...]
God’s Handiwork – Lectio Divina
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)God’s handiworkCreator God, I marvel at the work of Your hands.I gazed at Your twinkling Venus and bright Saturn in perfect alignment this week in the nighttime sky. Your ongoing design work amazes me.You wave Your hand and the purple and yellow crocuses emerge. I feel renewed with Spring’s resurrection.I hear of friend’s granddaughter’s birth and know You and I both celebrate new life.When I dare to ask, “Who am I, Lord?” This astonishing verse responds:“You are My handiwork. My masterpiece.”Why do I continue to dismiss that belief? Doubt You really mean it? Shrug off this wonderful news?My true identify remains in Your hands, carefully and lovingly created by the Sacred Sculptor.God Himself, the Divine Designer, carved His name in my heart and left His fingerprints all over my soul.God marks me with a permanent label clearly stating: Created by the … [Read more...]
An Irish Blessing – Quote of the Week
Image via WikipediaMay the road rise to meet you.May the wind be always at your back.May the sun shine warm upon your face.And rains fall soft upon your fields.And until we meet again,May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.Irish Blessing … [Read more...]
The Tender Gaze of God – a Silent Retreat Experience
How do you describe time spent in the presence of God? First I want to thank many of you who held me in prayer when I went to the four-day silent retreat last week. I encourage you if you have never gone on retreat, whether a silent one or one filled with life-giving presentations, to try this spiritual practice. You will receive priceless nourishment for your journey in life.Even as a writer, I have difficulty finding the words to illustrate these precious quiet days with God. So I will borrow a phrase from Anthony de Mello:Look at God…looking at you… and smiling.I experienced being enfolded in the hands of God and beheld in His tender, loving, and unfailing gaze.I found this statuette and took multiple photos of this father and baby since they best represent how I felt.“You are precious in my eyes. I honor you and love you." Isaiah 43:4Often at the beginning of a retreat, the director will suggest some Bible verses that may guide us on our weekend. As soon as Susan mentioned Hagar, I … [Read more...]