Good Friday Quote
Ponder today what God has done for us:Good Friday is the mirror held up by Jesus so that we can see ourselves in all our stark reality, and then it turns us to that cross and to his eyes and we hear these words, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." That's us! And so we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. We see in that cross a love so amazing so divine that it loves us even when we turn away from it, or spurn it, or crucify it. There is no faith in Jesus without understanding that on the cross we see into the heart of God and find it filled with mercy for the sinner whoever he or she may be. Robert G. Trache "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."- John 3:16 … [Read more...]
Holy Week Thoughts – Keeping My Eyes on the Big Picture
“Keep your eyes on the big picture,” was the advice I heard a pastor say this week. I needed that reminder.This has NOT been a pleasant week for me. When the life gets complicated, schedules and plans shred apart, and too many commitments spill out from my too little time, my survivor mode kicks in. I withdraw into self-pity, self-centeredness, and lots of whiny “why me” self-talk.Not the way I really want to live and to be honest I don’t think the way God wants us to live either. I cling to my self-centeredness instead of dwelling in Christ-centeredness.My episode of feeling sorry for myself pales in comparison to what Jesus suffered the week before His crucifixion. His threshold point in the Garden, giving up His will into God’s hands, reminds me that Jesus too kept His eyes on the big picture.Jesus didn’t hang onto self-pity; He clung to Love.Jesus said not my will, but God’s.Jesus knew to keep His eyes on the big picture - God.God is the big picture. With God’s perspective, we … [Read more...]
Life Questions – Max on Life by Max Lucado – Book Review
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...]