Pentecost is the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early Christians. It marks the birth of the Christian church and means "fiftieth day" as it is celebrated fifty days after Easter, this coming Sunday.I have been reading about Pentecost for my own meditations and collecting some quotes about this event.Red is the liturgical color for this day. Red recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost.A tradition of some churches in ancient times was to baptize adult converts to the faith on Pentecost. The newly baptized catechumens would wear white robes on that day, so Pentecost was often called "Whitsunday" or "White Sunday" after these white baptismal garments.On the 50th day after the Sabbath of Passover week, the Jews celebrated a festival of thanksgiving for the harvest. It was known by a number of different names:Feast of Weeks (Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10)Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16)Day of First fruits (Num. 28:26)The "Feast of … [Read more...]
A Mother’s Tears
December 1983I remember when you were two days old. The depths of post partum depression shredded up any morsel of confidence I had as a mother - even as a mom with her third baby.I spent that day crying, overwhelmed by fears. I spent the day rocking you.I spent the day with my arms gently holding you, while I rocked in God’s arms, gently holding me.I spent that day crying.I should know what I am doing by now.What’s wrong with me?I can’t raise this child.I am not cut out for this role.Lord, what have I gotten myself into? Lord, what have YOU gotten me into? I remember Hannah and her tears as a mother. She cried out for a child and the Lord gave her Samuel. Later she brought him to the temple and dedicated him to God. “As surely as you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” I Samuel .1 … [Read more...]
Listen, Watch, Wait – Lectio Divina
Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)ListenWatchWaitAll passive words, Lord. I want to tell you what I want and need. I think I know the answers. I strut around believing my opinion is the most important.“Blessed are those who listen to me.”I don’t want to stand on the sidelines and watch. I want to work, play, and take part. My ego shouts that my ‘doing’ is essential. “Blessed are those who watch daily at my doors.”I rush into my day, my to-do list, my goals and dreams without You. Wait? That is so hard, I whine. Wait for Your timing? “Blessed are those who wait at my doorway.”Lord, help me let go of my babbling, my doing, and my busyness to follow You for the blessings of listening, watching and waiting. … [Read more...]
Living in a Post Trust Society
What does it mean as a Christian to live in a world where more faith is placed in skepticism and the loudest volume given to sarcasm?I recently read a blog, Living Spirituality, where the phrase “post trust society” was used. Dr. Gregory J. Laughery writes, “One of the salient features of the twenty-first century is that we are living in a post-trust culture. As I have recently mentioned, this means that our ability to trust institutions, governments, politicians, economics, and churches is coming to an end.”We no longer trust. We blame, make fun, or spew angry accusations on our political and church relationships. Twitter makes it easy to launch rumors that build unease and how simple it is to forward that sarcastic email than to send it to the trash. The thought of a post trust society raises fear in my heart. Will this lead to more violence, anarchy, and threats to security? The whole situation makes me once again aware of how little I really do control in life.I am guilty of all … [Read more...]
Dancing with The Star
“Who do you think will win?“My wife is addicted to that show.”“My daughter is pulling for that guy who plays for the Bengals.”Snippets of conversation I overheard this weekend, all concerning the television show Dancing with the Stars.Then I read this quote: “God is the lead dancer and the soul is the partner completely attuned to the rhythm and patterns set by the partner. She does not lead, but neither does she hang limp like a sack of potatoes.” Thomas Merton, quoted in Listening to the Music of the Spirit: The Art of Discernment, by David Lonsdale.Now that is the Star I want to dance with every moment of my life. My deepest desire of my heart is for God to be my lead dancer.Reminded me of the story I bet many of you are familiar with:“When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and … [Read more...]
Winner: Present Perfect Book Giveaway
We have a winner! A number was drawn randomly from the commenters ( of course not my responses!)The winner is...... KAREN!!I have your address and will put a copy of your book in the mail this week. I hope it blesses your spiritual journey.Jeanie … [Read more...]
God – The Master Builder – Psalm 127:1 – Lectio Divina
The Carpenter by Nathan GreeneUnless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Psalm 127: 1Lord, You are the Master Builder. I am a mere apprentice.You are in charge.You hand me the supplies I need for the day’s work.You give me the tools and teach me how to use them.You guide my hands in learning the craftsmanship of my trade.You hold the final blueprints - I just follow your daily assignment.You see the the whole picture - I only see the nail and board in front of me.Oswald Chambers wrote: “Jesus, the Master Builder, takes us over so that He may direct and control us completely for His enterprises and His building plans; and no one has any right to demand where he will be put to work.” Reporting for duty! Where to, Boss? … [Read more...]
Living within the Presence of God – Every Moment, Every Day
“Each moment is a revelation of God.” Jean-Pierre de Caussade"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18The phrase pray continually beckons my heart. Living each moment in the presence of God is a deep hunger within me. Surveying my shelves this week, I discovered quite a few books discussing this spiritual practice and realized once again just how God is inviting me to dwell with him in every moment – even the ordinary ones throughout my day. Wow – isn’t that just amazing? God – in all His glory, majesty, power, wisdom – desires to spend time with little ol’ me. With all of us! And not just an occasionally fleeting visit or an hour on Sunday, but every minute, second, and nanosecond. Gregory Boyd wrote a book I read this week: Present Perfect – Finding God in the Now – that relit this desire within my heart. (See review below and be sure to leave a comment because I will be giving … [Read more...]