I hope many of you do not have cloudy skies this week. At 11:09 p.m. Eastern Time Wednesday evening, fall began and God is outdoing Himself this week presenting a “super harvest moon.”The "harvest moon" is the full moon that happens closest to the yearly autumnal equinox, or the time when day and night are equal in length each September. The harvest moon phenomenon was named for farmers who used to depend on the moonlight to extend the workday during the busy harvest season. With the harvest moon there is no long period of darkness between sunset and the moon rising.But for the super harvest moon to occur, the two events must fall on the same night. When these two occurrences mix together, sky-watchers are treated to a sort of 360-degree twilight glow effect that is rarely visible. The so-called super harvest moon has not occurred for 20 years, and will likely not reappear until 2029.When the Sun starts to set on the Western horizon, a full moon will rise opposite to it on the East, … [Read more...]
Just Jesus and Me Yappin’ in the Car….
Confession time. If you ever see me driving in my car and appear to be talking to someone in the front passenger seat and there is no one there – Just smile and think, “Yep, there goes Jeanie, just a yapping away with Jesus.”Often when I drive, I invite Jesus along to ride with me and we talk up a storm. Most of the time I do the talking – yeah, I have mentioned that ramblin’ mouth of mine before in posts – but I do try to listen too.Last week while on a three-hour drive to Indianapolis, I reflected about several ongoing prayers that were quagmired in mud. These were items, long prayed for, but unclear what was happening. Jesus said let’s talk about them.So I did. I threw a whole litany of people, difficulties, and open-ended struggles upon Him.I placed in His welcoming hands long time concerns and distant dreams. His response?“Ok, I have them. I will take care of them.”Peace fell over my heart, as I knew He would take care of things, in His time.We rode in silence for a while, just … [Read more...]
A Listening God – Lectio Divina
"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray." Psalm 17:6 (NLT)Listen as I pray.Listen.I shake my head in disbelief that the God of the Universe, the One who created all things, controls all circumstances and is Above All – listens to little ol’ me.Important people, Lord, much more significant, speak to you. Why the Pope, the Bishops, and many walking a purer spiritual life need You to hear them.Yet You listen to me.Aren’t my prayers drowned out in the ocean of chatter from the world? Yet You listen to me.When I whine and complain, You listen with love.When I praise and burst with thankfulness, You listen with joy.When I shout in anger and frustration, You listen with patience.When I can’t find the words, You listen to my heart.Thank for listening Lord. May I be a better listener to You. … [Read more...]
Who Are You? – Quote of the Week – Henri Nouwen
"As long as we continue to live as if we are what we do, what we have, and what other people think about us, we will remain filled with judgments, opinions, evaluations, and condemnations. We will remain addicted to putting people and things in their 'right' place." Henri Nouwen … [Read more...]
Catching God’s Vision with Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) and a 21st Century Man
I interview a young man this week who moved back to this rural area after living in New York for six years. He sought ‘home’ and ‘community’ and a safe place to raise his family. Perhaps what impressed me the most was how he looked at his hometown. I saw closed and empty storefronts, high unemployment, and a struggling school district. He saw historic architecture, a town full of potential, and rich in history. He has vision.As I entered my car to come home, I looked up at the buildings admiring their style and saw with new eyes and appreciation this place he calls home.Today is the commemoration of Hildegard of Bingen, a remarkable visionary, and a woman ahead of her time from the Middle Ages. I wrote about her in a post last March, but will repeat a little of her story today as we remember and honor her. Hildegard of Bingen was born in 1098. The tenth child of a noble family, she was dedicated at birth to the church as was the custom of the day. At age eight she was sent to … [Read more...]
Simple Instructions from God
God has quite a sense of humor. I had been yapping at God all morning. How come I don’t understand Your ways? What is my next step? Why can’t I hear You? Why do You make everything so complex and difficult? I need an operating manual for life, Lord!Then I saw the answer – a simple, clear response - while I filled my tank up with gas:1. Know the payment plan – God has already paid the price with His Son, Jesus. My heart melted as I realized once again the cost of His sacrifice in light of my shameful, minor whining and complaints. Daily, even moment-by-moment – I offer my heart up to the Lord with gratitude for His gifts, grace, and forgiveness.2. Follow instructions. My job is just to follow His instructions. I am reminded about the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho. God commanded Joshua, not to tear the wall down – that was His job. Joshua’s job was just to obey God’s simple instruction to march around the walls each day. My job is to listen to God and follow His … [Read more...]
Yielding to You, Lord – Lectio Divina
Do not now be stiff-necked, but yield yourselves to the Lord and come to his sanctuary. 2 Chronicles 30:8YieldLet me yield myself to you Lord.Take my whole being - every inch of me – my heart, my hands, my breath, my mind, my will – my every cellStrange to give back to you the gifts You’ve given me. YieldLet me melt into your being.May others see You in me.Less of me, more of You.YieldYou know me better than I know myself, so why do I hesitate? Take me now before my ego snatches my intention and tosses me back into the chaotic world.Every day I approach Your throne and yield.Daily, minute by minute – I am Yours.YieldWhat a lovely word and ideal way to live.Like the soft, pliable clay in the skilled artist hands, shape my life as You design, Lord. Knead my heart, Lord, to stretch and grow with the yeast from heaven.I rest in Your strong grip. Yield … [Read more...]
Basic Human Needs – Quote of the Week
“Many people are hungry not for bread only, but they are hungry for love. Many people are not only naked for want of a piece of cloth, but they are naked for human dignity .Homelessness is not only not having a home made of bricks, buthomelessness is being rejected, unwanted, unloved, uncared for.People have forgotten what the human touch is, what it is to smile, for somebody to smile at them, somebody to recognize them, somebody to wish them well.”- Mother Teresa … [Read more...]