What is the best way to grow old gracefully? One of my favorite Bible verses is: “They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” Psalm 92:14. We have a wonderful example of bearing fruit at an older age in evangelist Billie Graham. Graham has just released his latest and probably his last book, Nearing Home, Life, Faith and Finishing Well. This book is full of practical, honest, and inspirational advice for both young and old on the art of living fully until the end of life. He gives wonderful examples not just from his life, but also from others such as his wife Ruth and Biblical characters. As I read this book it was like an experience of the sitting at the feet of a wise elder sharing his final words of wisdom with a group. He shares ideas to be best prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for whatever old age brings our way. Graham’s words challenge the readers to consider what legacy we … [Read more...]
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord – Lectio Divina
Image by suneko via FlickrThough the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.~Habakkuk 3:17-18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord Lord, no matter what - I will rejoice in You.I want to live this way all the time.I know often I don’t, but with Your strength, I can try once again.I can dance with You when all my work and efforts fail to produce.I can laugh with You when I am hungry for more, especially more of You.I can shout, “Alleluia” when my hands are empty and my heart is heavy.I can relish our past times together, even when I currently feel far from You and deeply crave Your presence. I can delight in my doubts because You are my Savior.I celebrate You, Lord.I will be intentionally joyful because You are God.I will rejoice in the Lord. … [Read more...]
Apache Prayer – Quote of the Week
Image by aronki via FlickrLooking behind I am filled with gratitude. Looking forward I am filled with vision. Looking upwards I am filled with strength. Looking within I discover peace.Quero Apache Prayer … [Read more...]
Thoughts On Being an Ordinary Pencil
Image by xsphotos via FlickrI added a pencil sharpener to my desk last week. As a writer, I spend lots of time on my computer keyboard. As a journalist, I grab extra pens to take notes in an interview.But more and more at my desk, I use a sharpened pencil - a plain old, everyday, yellow, number two pencil. I agree with William Faulkner when he wrote, “I’ve got to feel the pencil and see the words at the end of the pencil.” Looking at the pencil in my hand reminded me of the following story:A boy was watching his grandmother write a letter. At one point he asked, ”Are you writing a story about what we’ve done? Is it a story about me?”His grandmother stopped writing her letter and said to her grandson, “I am writing about you, actually, but more important than the words is the pencil I’m using. I hope you will be like this pencil when you grow up.”Intrigued, the boy looked at the pencil. It didn’t seem very special. ”But it’s just like any other pencil I’ve ever seen!”“That depends on … [Read more...]
Silence – The First Step in Prayer
Image by Mara ~earth light~ via FlickrToo often I rush into my prayers. Listing my perceived needs and coveted wants to God like putting coins in a vending machine. I do add some praise. I pause for a moment of gratitude. I really try to worship.But noise fills up all the nooks and crannies of my prayers.Mother Teresa’s words stopped me cold when I read them the other day:The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace.Silence is the first step – the critical element that we can’t miss.Many of you know the verse from Psalm 46:10: Be Still and Know I am God.I have begun using this at the beginning of my prayers. Repeating it slowly with silence in between, dropping a word each time from the ending.Be Still and Know I am God.Be Still and Know I am.Be Still and Know.Be Still.Be.This simple mantra quiets the chattiness in my mind and brings me silently into God’s presence. The focus … [Read more...]
Belonging to God – Lectio Divina
Image by Images by John 'K' via Flickr“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 minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31: 33-34I will be their God, and they will be my people.Lord, we belong to each other. Our relationship is not just one-sided, where one of us is beholden to the other.We behold each other. You are my God.I am one of Your people.Actually one of Your children. I like that.Belonging means we are a fit, we match, we stay connected even though I may drift away from You. To know I have a place with You, a shelter from life’s storms and dwelling from being battered by uncertain winds. A … [Read more...]
Open My Clenched Fists!– Henri Nouwen – Quote of the Week
Image via WikipediaDear God,I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?Please help me to gradually open my handsand to discover that I am not what I own,but what you want to give me.And what you want to give me is love,unconditional, everlasting love.Amen.― Henri J.M. Nouwen … [Read more...]
An Early Thanksgiving
The grateful heart sits at a continuous feast. Proverbs 15:15My prayers and thoughts lately have rested on thankfulness. I do feel as the verse from Proverbs states, like I have been to rich banquet.I hope in leaner, dryer times to focus as much attention on gratitude as in these good times.I read this week an interesting story on the blog, The Practical Disciple: “During a spiritual renewal weekend that I just attended someone at a discussion table raised a question that has really gnawed at my conscience. “What if tomorrow when you awoke, the only things you had were the things you thanked God for today?”What a powerful statement. Makes you think, squirm, and fall to your knees thanking God, doesn’t it? Pondering that question reminds me of many, many forgotten moments to hold up to Him with gratitude.Then later I read this quote:We don't need more to be thankful for, we need to be more thankful.—Source UnknownI have much to be thankful for recently.Everywhere I look I am seeing … [Read more...]