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...]
God’s Question: Where Are You?
Where are you?Where are you?When Adam and Eve hid after eating from the tree, God walked in the garden and gently called, “Where are you?” Genesis 3: 9Of course, God knew where they were hiding. He already knew what happened. He knew their sin. He knew just how they were feeling. He knew.Yet He called to them.He came to them.He sought them in the garden.Where are you?This question haunts my morning devotions. I hear God asking me the same thing.Where are you?With a deep sigh, I try to answer the question. The process centers my thoughts to the present moment and helps me identify what I am feeling.Where are you?Sometimes I am alone and lonely.Sometime I am alone and at peace.Sometimes I am at a place where I feel safe.Sometimes I feel scared, hovering in the corner of an empty room.Sometimes no matter how hard I try or cry, I can’t find you, Lord.But You come searching for me, just like you did in the Eden’s garden.“Where are you?” God asks.I am here, Lord. Thank you for finding me. … [Read more...]
God’s First Choice – Lectio Divina
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will. Ephesians 1: 3-5 He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the worldLord I have read this verses before but never noticed this phrase before. It jumped off the pages of my Bible into my heart.I said it aloud as if I didn’t believe what I was reading:God, the Creator, the Almighty, the One and Only chose us – all of us - "before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before Him in love." Wow! You have loved us before You created the world.You chose us to be your children at the very beginning.You knew us as you formed us and determined we would always be a part of your family, your plan, your love.Lord when I doubt … [Read more...]
God Listens – Quote of the Week – Max Lucado
God Listens. “You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter His presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God – and He listens.”Max Lucado … [Read more...]
Spiritual March Madness – Thoughts about Enthusiasm
March Madness – the crazy time of year when basketball tournaments dominate many conversations. “What is your bracket?” become the enthusiastic question many spend hours pouring over.I am NOT a basketball fan – it probably one of my least favorite sports. Yet last weekend as March Madness progressed, I asked my husband about certain games, watched the closing minutes of a few, and quietly cheered when I heard two underdogs made it to the final four. Many of the top teams (including my favorite Ohio State) toppled out unpredictably out of first place.These players play every game like it may be the last one they are ever in. Players who may never see any action, cheer with their entire being and know they are as part of the team as the star player. As the excitement grew, the interest in basketball became infectious. Many of us try to guess who will be number one when March Madness is finally over.Makes you wonder how our spiritual lives would be like if March Madness become a … [Read more...]
Joanna Weaver’s Lazarus Awakening – Wake Us Up, Lord!
Lent is a time to stir our souls and awaken our spirits by feasting upon great writing. Joanna Weaver’s newest book, Lazarus Awakening, is a read that will provide much nourishment for your spiritual journey. Many of you know Weaver for her best selling and wonderful book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and I recommend Lazarus Awakening which also explores the famous family that were close friends with Jesus. Weaver dissects many spiritual questions we all have: what do we do when God doesn’t come through the way we hope He would? What should we feel when what is dearest to our hearts is suddenly snatched away? Does God really love me? What does it mean to be a friend of God? “I wonder what would happen in our lives if we stopped resisting God’s love and started receiving it. What if we spotted trying to do the math, spotted striving to earn His favor? What if we just accepted the altogether-too-good-to-be-true news that the yardstick has been broken and the cross has … [Read more...]