Image by eigirdaz via Flickr“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke My devotion last week referred to this quote saying often our deepest fears are like dragons guarding our deepest treasures. So if we are brave enough to comfort our uncertainties, the dragons in our lives, we can discover what is most precious within us. So often when we face our fears, they evaporate or become helpless as Rilke says. That core deep inside us, though something we all want to discover, to know, and to understand, is also a place a tender vulnerability. After all, it is our essence, our soul stamped with God’s fingerprint. We don’t normally face our fears willingly, do we? God is the One who woos us into the desert valley. I know that the true growth doesn’t occur on the mountaintops, … [Read more...]
Gentleness – Lectio Divina
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4: 4-9Image by mtsofan via FlickrLet your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Lord these verses are packed with meaning. These words of Yours are some of my favorite to ponder.When I heard them in church this morning and read them once again later, one phrase jumped into … [Read more...]
Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish – Steve Jobs – Quote of the Week
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeRemembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything -- all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart. ... Stay hungry. Stay foolish." - Steve Jobs, 1955-2011 … [Read more...]
Can You Teach Empathy?
Image via WikipediaMy bachelor’s degree in nursing is from Capital University in Columbus Ohio. Several times a year we get what most college alumni receive: an alumni magazine. This month had an intriguing article titled: “Can Teaching Empathy Lead to Social Change?”This past year Capital selected six students who were paired with a social service agency. They attended workshops, watched documentaries, read books, and volunteered. Not only did they learn more about that agency’s service – they were immersed in what it was like to be poor and disadvantaged.For example one student stayed 24 hours in an emergency shelter. In the morning she was given a bus pass and told to go out and find affordable housing. She said she never even used a bus before and had no idea where to even begin a place to live.Another had to identify and find three health care centers that provided no-or low-cost health care using only public transportation and the library – no cars and no phones allowed.Another … [Read more...]
SPIRITUAL LESSONS IN DETOURS
I live in Edon Ohio, a little village with less than 900 residents. Our homes sit on the crossroads to two state highways: north and south State Route 49 and east and west State Route 34. We head east to Bryan, our county site (shopping, work, appointments, and restaurants) and west to the wonderful lake region where many people travel to during summer.Summer is also road construction time and guess what happened this year. The Ohio Department of Transportation decided to replace three bridges heading east out of Edon. “State Route 34 will be closed for one month,” they announced last June. Ok one month of finding a new way east wouldn’t be so bad, right?Ohio winters can be tough on bridges. When the engineers started the project, they found much more damage than expected.“State Route 34 will be closed the entire route to Bryan until November.”What?To make matters worse, in July State Route 34, west toward the wonderful lake region was also closed and still remains so today. Again … [Read more...]
Nothing is Impossible for God – Lectio Divina
This is what the Lord Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God's people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty? Zechariah 8:6 (NLT) But do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty? Yes, Lord, I do act some most of the time like You can’t handle my circumstances.I feel I must be in control, not trusting in You. I give discouragement the power to overwhelm me. I allow my circumstances to make me feel small and insignificant and weak.My eyes only see the impossible, forgetting who You are.You are the Lord.You are the Lord AlmightyYou are the King of Impossibilities.Lord, as I pray this verse I see two tiny three letter words.NowButNOW all I see is impossibleBUT with God nothing is impossible.You ask me, “Do you think this is impossible for me, the Lord Almighty?”My only response: I do believe; help my unbelief. … [Read more...]
You are a Child of God – Quote of the Week – Marianne Williamson
Image by Tony Trần via FlickrChild of God - 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...]
The Wonder of the Bar-tailed Godwits
Image via WikipediaEver hear of them? The bar-tailed Godwits. I didn’t until earlier this week when I read about their incredible feat this time of year.If you saw these ordinary brown, black, and gray birds, they probably wouldn’t even draw your attention. They aren’t that pretty with their long legs and have large bills. Their name, Godwits, originates in Old English with god meaning good, and wit coming from white, meaning creature.But it is what they do this time of year that makes them unique.Every autumn the bar-tailed godwit undertakes an eight-day journey from Alaska to New Zealand. The bird flies non-stop, without once breaking the journey to rest or eat. Then when spring comes, the bar-tailed godwit makes the 7000-mile journey back to Alaska.They are the only birds known to fly this enormous amount of miles without stopping. They seem to wait until storm winds can jumpstart their journey south, but by the time they reach the equator, the winds change and they continue with … [Read more...]