I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.Psalm 119:11I treasure your word in my heartLord I have heard You in my heart.Lord, I have felt Your nudge.Lord I feel Your spirit to try To try once again memorizing Your Word.Learning Your verses by heart honors the treasure You have given us.But You know I struggle to even remember to work on this, let alone recall the words.But You gently remind me to try once again to hold my heart out to You and cherish Your guidance.I write out Your verse; I say in aloud; I post it by my desk.Each word, every phrase takes on new life and jumps from the post-it note into my soul.I savor each word slowly, scanning for nuggets of wisdom from wisdom’s Source.I see You in every letter. My heart moves with every word. The verse is an irresistible magnet, the verse drawing me closer to You.Yes Lord I willYes Lord I treasure Your word in my heart. … [Read more...]
Make Me a Vessel – Musical Quote of the Week
I have been praying this song this week. Lyrics by Chris Sligh Hear it here while watching a beautiful photos: Safe inside your hands you hold mePain and tribulations mold meI try to run away from youThe pain's too great you put me throughI find myself on my knees to prayThen you hear the words you long for me to sayMake of me a vessel that you can always useNo matter how you break me, what I win or what I loseLet me be a vessel pure and holy, perfect in your eyesLord, hear me when I cry, for you to make me, a vesselDeep inside my heart you've shown meDespite all my sins you've known meI try to run away againI break your heart with all my sinI fall to you with tear-filled eyesI run to you with broken heart and cryMake of me a vessel that you can always useNo matter how you break me, what I win or what I loseLet me be a vessel pure and holy, perfect in your eyesLord, hear me when I cry, for you to make me, a vesselMake me into what you want for me to beOh, Lord, may my prayer beMake of … [Read more...]
Sleepless Nights – God Nudges
I couldn’t sleep last night.Moving to the front room, I snuggled under the afghan and tried to pray. My scattered mind drifted from the Lord over and over again, a result of crazy schedules and unexpected events this week. Ok, Lord, at least I can thank You for this week.At midnight I rise to give you thanks Psalms 119:62Thank You for my kids’ good news at work…for a safe drive home tonight….for willing friends who stopped by to help move a piece of heavy furniture…Oh, look there is my IPod Touch. Let’s play…. Yes, I lost focus once again.Turning it on, I clicked on the Facebook icon. Last message, just five minutes earlier was from my second daughter, Katie:“Can't sleep again! Really wishes she could talk with her mommy!”I wrote back. I am up too.Immediately, she called.Overwhelmed by fears of the unknown, out of control emotions, and a jumble of excitement, joy, and “oh, no, what have we done?” – Katie told me she is expecting twins.Twins!Twice blessed!Dramatic change in … [Read more...]
In Constant Prayer – Book Review
Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2Prayer is the foundation for our spiritual walk. I like what Oswald Chambers wrote, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.” In Constant Prayer is the newest book by Robert Benson and I am happy to add it my bookshelf next to other books I have by him: Venite and A Good Life.In Constant Prayer explains the pattern of prayer and worship called the Daily Office. This ancient practice is also known as the liturgy of the hours, fixed hour prayer, the divine office, the divine hours and daily prayer. It is the discipline of praying at fixed times throughout the day and night. Though its structure may not appeal to everyone, we are all called to deeper communion with God and this is certainly one way to open our hearts to hear God better.Benson writes in a warm friendly style like you are having a cup of coffee with him discussing ways to pray. He … [Read more...]
Keeping our Eyes on God – Lectio Divina
"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." 2 Chronicles 20:12b (NIV)Our eyes are upon you.Lord I want to live with my eyes only on You.When I focus on You, I know where I am going with a profound sense of peace.Like Peter walking on the water – doing the impossible with you and only when keeping you as the center.Like Peter, I take my eyes off when the threatening waves of the world and my ego’s fears and anxieties distract me.Holy Spirit, help me concentrate more on You and less on those shiny commotions disturbing my periphery.Stay my center, LordMy centerMy focal pointMy Lord. … [Read more...]
An Untold Story – Quote of the Week
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. Maya Angelou … [Read more...]
New Year Anxiety or Abundance?
A year ago I was scared.Last year mark the end of a decade for me that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved telling people if I had know how good the 50s were going to be I would have rushed to them sooner. I grew as a writer and spiritually walked closer to God. My kids evolved into wonderful adults seeking their own adventures. My hubby and I both retired and open new fulfilling chapters in life. Would the 60s be as good?I was scared.But looking back, this last year has not been bad at all. I accomplished several items from my bucket list (a hot air balloon ride and finishing my Associate in Ministry requirement for the Lutheran church). Tried new recipes and saw new places. And learned a valuable lesson when a dream was dashed against the rocks that putting the broken pieces in God’s hands leads to healing.Maybe that is one reason I like the start of the new year. The energy and excitement of fresh new chapter in life. The anticipation, though with some anxiety, of the blessings ahead. … [Read more...]
New Year – Looking Back and Looking Forward
January is the month of “Janus.” Janus was the Roman god of gates and doorways, depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions – a good image of this first month of the year. One face looks back on the year gone and the other looks forward to the new and uncertain one ahead. January is a reflective month – an opportunity to look back at the year behind us – letting go of our regrets and celebrating our joys, then we look forward also into the coming months. Many of us make well-meaning resolutions and hope we can achieve at least some of them.January is a transition time. – the liminal space between two years. William Bridges wrote a wonderful and interesting book about transitions, Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changesand The Way of Transition. Transition is a the process of letting go of the way things used to be and then taking hold of the way they subsequently become. One of his concepts I appreciated learning was the three phases of change/transitions:EndingThe … [Read more...]