We all struggle with life’s questions: Why am I here? How is God’s love different from human love? How do I know what is the right thing to do?I fully believe that delving to the depths of these questions is part of our spiritual formation process.One of my favorite writers – Max Lucado – has written a new book: Max on Life – Answers and Insights to your Most Important Questions. I am received this book in exchange for posting a review but this has not influence my feelings about this book.Lucado tackles some of life’s most difficult questions and provides concise and compassionate answers. This is what I both like and dislike about this book. Most of his answers are one page long – too short to really go into much depth.But again Lucado’s brief answers are full of wisdom, easy to digest, and provide much food for thought. None of us have the complete answer to most of these questions and Lucado gives us nuggets of truth to at least take the next step in our faith walk.My most … [Read more...]
Insomnia and Restlessness – Lectio Divina
Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool. Ecclesiastes 5:3 NLTToo much activity gives you restless dreams.Lord I can’t sleep. Or rather I go to sleep, then wake up.My mind races with items left undone.My heart echoes with voices that demand, “Do, do, do!”My nerves fidget and frazzle, taut between yesterday and tomorrow.I focus more on the night’s shadows than Your light’s guidance.Too much activity results in restless dreams.I fill my time with jagged emptiness instead of creating space for You.When I do pause and turn my heart to You,Once again You gently tell me to rest, rest in You.Your soothing whisper quiets the noise in my soulYour arms enfold me and I snuggle into peaceful slumber.Rest.PeaceQuietAnd at last sleep. … [Read more...]
Palm Sunday Quote of the Week
PALM SUNDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEKBut everyone who lined the streets had a different reason for waving those palms. Some were political activists; they'd heard Jesus had supernatural power, and they wanted him to use it to free Israel from Roman rule. Others had loved ones who were sick or dying. They waved branches, hoping for physical healing. Some were onlookers merely looking for something to do, while others were genuine followers who wished Jesus would establish himself as an earthly king. Jesus was the only one in the parade who knew why he was going to Jerusalem - to die. He had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda. Bill Hybels … [Read more...]
Spiritual Infrastructure
For the past year as we travel south on State Route 49 from my little town in northwest Ohio, we have been fascinated to watch a massive construction project. Horizon Wind Energy are in the midst of a $1 billion plan to build hundreds of wind turbines in Paulding and Van Wert counties.New roads have been built and tons of dirt moved. The site involves more than 5700 acres on both sides of the state highway. The turbines will be either a 256-foot tower for a total height to the top of the blades of 398 feet, or a 328-foot tower for a total height of 476 feet. Each nacelle or the structure at the top of the turbine, weighs 85 tons. This project has been going on for years – the forming of the idea, researching the best sites, holding public meetings, arranging financing and that was before any dirt was moved.When we drove past the site last week we could tell foundations had been laid and a few of the central towers were being raised. We passes trucks delivering enormous white poles and … [Read more...]
Lent Color of Choice – Purple
Lent color of choice - purple! I love spring. My eyes feast on the fresh new burst of colors. One color that particularly stands out to me this year is purple. Lent - the color is purple. Purple crocuses. Purple hyacinths. Purple cloths on the church altars. Purple is a color with much symbolism. I graduated with my nursing degree from Capital University in Columbus. The school colors were purple and white. Yes - our uniforms were a solid purple with white collars. We looked like a bunch of grapes when we rode in an elevator all squished together. But our dean would tell us – “Purple is the color of royalty.” Yes she was right. Historically, purple dye has been the most expensive and most labor-intensive color to obtain. But we aren’t the royalty – Jesus is. That is the reason why purple is the color of Lent. Purple can symbolize both the pain and suffering leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus as well as the suffering of humanity and the world under … [Read more...]
Yes, Lord I Do Believe – Lectio Divina
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” John 11: 17-27.“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is … [Read more...]
A Bike Ride with God – A New Adventure
I wrote a post last Thursday about the phrase I heard “Fun stories happen when you make choices you wouldn’t normally make.” It reminded me of this story which is the quote of the week.I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal.I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points.But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places … [Read more...]
Following God’s Invitation to Adventure
I almost missed God’s invitation last week. I am a planner. Not only do I set quarterly goals, but have five year and ten year dreams written down. I focus on doing. I am a “three” on the Enneagram – yes, I am driven by accomplishment. I thrill at checking off items on my endless to-do list.So I felt very threatened last week when listening to NPR radio story. I have learned when words or phrases echo in my soul and resonate in my heart to pay attention. God is inviting me to ponder something. So I listen carefully last week. I was not sure why the words resounded deep within me but I certainly knew they were not what I normally practiced.The NPR story was about a man names Todd Bieber who went for a walk after a winter storm in New York last December. Much to his surprise, he looked down and found a canister of film.He almost threw it back into the snow when he remembered something a friend once said to him. This is the line that reverberated in my spirit.“Fun stories happen when you … [Read more...]