Last week I submerged my soul in silence at my annual spiritual retreat. I have learned that in order to hear God I need to get away at least once a year for a few days at a retreat center for solitude, silence and being with him. My time away and my notes in my journal nourish my spirit for many days afterward. I am a doer and settling my soul in silence and stillness isn’t easy for me. It often feels like I peel off layers of soiled clothing as I settle into the quiet. I have to hand over my concerns, my worldly frantic to do’s and my agenda into God’s hands. I attempt to embrace an attitude of open expectancy. During our time of lectio divina at the retreat, the leader slowly read three times the story of Jesus’s transfiguration. I just love Peter – his enthusiasm, his direct honesty and his determined desire to do. Peter sees Jesus along with Moses and Elijah and what does he want to do – build a shelter for them. He is doing instead of embracing this sacred instance that he … [Read more...]
Taking Up the Cross – Lectio Divina
“He called the crowds with his disciples and said to them ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” Mark 8: 34 Lord, remember that moment yesterday? I thought of you. I was arranging the pulpit area at church for our Lenten services. What was missing? Then I knew. The wooden cross with the crown of thorns. I went to the upstairs storage area and found it. I picked it up forgetting just how heavy it was. My arms ached as I dragged it to the top of the stairs. Ouch! A splinter pricked my thumb. Slowly I descended, one step at a time, the cross battering on my shoulder with each move down. When I reached the bottom, I still had 25 feet to drag this awkward, bulky representation of death forward to the front of the church. That’s when I thought of you. My minor inconvenience of a simple cross of display compared to the instrument of death for you. When you carried your cross through … [Read more...]
Becoming What We Worship
A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming. Ralph Waldo Emerson This quote about becoming what we worship stopped me cold. I felt that nudge from the Spirit to pay attention. What am I worshipping? I would love to say I only worship, bow down to God, the Creator and Almighty. But in reality I know when I am honest, that my eyes often focus on other things. My heart yearns for accomplishment. My eyes see the glitter of the world. Envy and discontent pop up when I desire what others have. I remember pacing the floor, my tummy swirling in knotted anxiety as the Ohio State Buckeyes played in their last few games towards this year’s national championship. I … [Read more...]
12 Ordinary Things that Make Me Happy
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward I read a blog post the other day about ordinary things that makes us happy. His words stuck with me, opening my heart and eyes to the everyday things that bring me joy and fill me with gratitude. The process of creating this list didn’t take long – I was amazed at the simple steps in each of my day that I truly enjoyed. I realized how rich I am with these simple pleasures. The smell of coffee in the morning, any morning, even the hottest morning. Just the aroma perks me up. Refreshing lemon in my water. The wonderful taste of chocolate and mint melting in my mouth. Snuggling into the bed to get cozy at night. The birds outside my office window. The giggles and laughs and phone calls of my grandchildren. The painting at our church which draws me into deeper worship. My journals with tattered edges from … [Read more...]
40 Days of Lent – Lectio Divina
“He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” Mark 1: 13 40 days, Lord. 40 days of rain for Noah. 40 days with God for Moses. 40 days of wilderness for Jesus. 40 days of Lent for me, Lord. Days to open my heart to your presence. Days to let go of what blocks me from you. Days to soak in your word. 40 days to watch for your tender touch throughout the day. 40 days to leave my self-centeredness and reach out to help others. 40 days to stand like Noah in your healing rain, with my arms open and my heart vulnerable, allowing you to wash away my sin. 40 days to wait like Moses listening for your whisper, knowing you keep your promises. 40 days to wander like Jesus through the wilderness of this troubled world, acknowledging you are with me in every way. 40 days, Lord. I offer these 40 days of Lent up to you, Lord. Please walk with me these 40 days of wilderness, … [Read more...]
Imagine God Smiling at You
I saw this photo from the Hubble space telescope last week and just couldn’t get over it. My, doesn’t God have a sense of humor. Visio divina is a practice I have mentioned previously here and here on this blog: when we gaze prayerfully over a photo/painting/icon and allow the image to invite us into a conversation with God. I centered on this newly discovered space photo as my prayer practice this past weekend. One of my most favorite quotes – one that is display on my desk so I can easily see it as I write is from Anthony deMello: “Look at God Looking at you… And smiling…” Like a loving parent beholding at their sleeping infant. Watching us with consuming compassion and mercy. Picking us up, drying our tears and holding us as we sob. Smiling, not at us, but with us, tenderly knowing the depth of our emotions. What love we drink in as children of God. This photo brought me to several Bible verses to ponder and journal about: Why are you down in the dumps, … [Read more...]
Worry Less So You Can Live More
What? Me worry? Never. Not me. Not I. Well, maybe just a little. I do fret more about the kids now as adults then when they were younger. But that’s all. But again, I do watch the weather forecasts like a maniac visualizing the cancellation of events and spending useless time and energy thinking of Plan B and Plan C just in case…maybe even Plan D and F, too. But that’s all. Ok, I have starred out the window in the middle of night and paced the porch floor as multiple imagined far-fetched scenarios attack my sleep-deprived soul. Sigh. I guess I do worry. I crave more ways to find peace, joy and energy in life. Maybe that is why Jane Rubietta’s new book, Worry Less So You Can Live More, appealed to me when it appeared on the list from Bethany House as a choice for bloggers to review. I was thrilled to get this book, which hasn’t disappointed me. I want you to know I would have given it a good review even if I purchased it. This book will inspire and encourage … [Read more...]
This is My Son. Listen to Him – Lectio Divina
Just then a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and from deep in the cloud, a voice: “This is my Son, marked by my love. Listen to him.” Mark 9: 7 Listen to him. What a moment, Lord, for Jesus’ friends. Their hearts must have burst open when they realized who they were seeing – the famous Elijah and Moses. Standing there with their master, their lord, their teacher. Holy ground. Divine moment. Sacred occasion. Let’s capture this moment. Take a selfie. Build a dwelling to house everyone. But God surprised them by creating an even more spectacular and incredible encounter – not just with his most faithful messengers, but with God himself. A divine occurrence that couldn’t be embraced by a house or by manmade mechanisms. God arrived as a light- radiant cloud. Lord, open my eyes to see your light radiating in my life Then God spoke from deep within the cloud. Lord, clear my ears to hear your voice. “This is my Son.” Lord, I … [Read more...]