Just some words of wisdom to ponder today: Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. Carl Jung Your feet will take you where your heart is. Irish Proverb The workings of the human heart are the profoundest mystery of the universe. One moment they make us despair of our kind, and the next we see in them the reflection of the divine image. Charles W. Chestnut The thousand mysteries around us would not trouble but interest us, if only we had cheerful, healthy hearts. Nietzche Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart. Martin Luther King, Jr. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. Mother Teresa Advice from a veteran trapeze performer: Throw your heart over the bars and your body will … [Read more...]
Getting Ready for Lent – A Prayer and Resources
Henri Nouwen wrote this Lenten prayer, which is so fitting as we get ready for Lent as it starts next week. “The Lenten season begins. It is a time to be with you, Lord, in a special way, a time to pray, to fast, and thus to follow you on your way to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and to the final victory over death. I am still so divided. I truly want to follow you, but I also want to follow my own desires and lend an ear to the voices that speak about prestige, success, pleasure, power, and influence. Help me to become deaf to these voices and more attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. I know that Lent is going to be a very hard time for me. The choice for your way has to be made every moment of my life. I have to choose thoughts that are your thoughts, words that are your words, and actions that are your actions. There are not times or places without choices. And I know how deeply I resist choosing you. Please, Lord, be with me at every moment and … [Read more...]
The Healing Hand of God– Lectio Divina
“He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.” Mark 1: 31a You healed Peter’s mother-in-law with just your touch, Lord. Come take my hand too. Lift me up into the path you want me to walk upon. Lead me to your still waters and refreshing wisdom. Help me serve others so they too can experience your touch. Your touch – that is all it takes. A simple gesture, a sacred second, a tiny taste of the divine. I am blinded by looking for massive miracles and giant glimpses of you, but so often I find you in the small moments. You don’t speak in the thunder and the roaring fire but in the whisper of a silent heart. Just a plain touch of your hand – pure, practical and down to earth. Help me see you today in the simple, Lord. To hear you in uncomplicated, open words. To feel your presence in every breath. To know you by the touch of your hand. … [Read more...]
Women of the Bible
Often we don’t hear the lessons from the women mentioned in the Bible. Their stories can teach, lead and direct our paths whether they are named or unnamed. About a year ago, Barbour Publishing (the company who published my Advent devotional – Let Every Heart Prepared Him Room) asked me to be one of six women to write devotionals about the lives, loves and legacy of notable Bible women. I couldn’t wait to see the list of names they sent me. When the email arrived last January with those they wanted me to write about, I was excited to see Eve, Esther, and Elizabeth. BUT there were quite a few I really wasn’t too sure about, like Eli’s daughter-in-law, Elisheba, Euodia and Haggith. Who? How am I to be inspired by them? Oh my, what have I signed up for? I prayed. I woke up early to write. I spent time with their stories. I wrote. And last week I held the new book, newly published, written with five other writers – Women of the Bible Devotional. God has lessons planted … [Read more...]
Birdseed Lessons – Things Take Time
It was about the middle of January when we finally filled the feeders with birdseed. I look forward to every winter watching the birds flocked and feast outside of my office window. We even put out the suet – the type the cardinals, blue jays and downy woodpeckers love. Dinner is served. The banquet is ready. Come and get it! But nobody came. Hey birds – it’s free food. Good and healthy. All are welcomed. Nobody. First day. Second day. “Where were my birds?” I whined. Third day. One measly sparrow showed up briefly and then flew off. Fourth day – nothing. The fifth day the word must have finally been broadcasted to the neighborhood as at one time more than 50 birds descended onto my deck enjoying the birdseed. Today, now two weeks later I watched the blue jay enjoying the suet. A male and female cardinal rested on the little tree in the back yard after filling the tummies. Haven’t seen the woodpecker yet but think he may still show. And the sparrows … [Read more...]
Lord of the Synagogue – Lectio Divina
They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee. Mark 1: 21-28 Oh Lord, this floods my memory of a few months ago, standing in the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum in Israel. I felt your presence. Knew you taught … [Read more...]
The Spiritual Practice of Visio Divina
I have used the spiritual practice of lectio divina – praying deeply with the word of God – for many years but haven’t ventured very much into visio divina – praying deeply with the eyes of your heart, while gazing at art and other visual images. Until this week. NASA just released new photographs taken with its Chandra X-Ray Observatory Space Telescope. Along with the U.N’s declaration that the year 2015 is the International Year of Light, these photos invited me into the awe of our Creator and I couldn’t contain my praise as I danced in his wonder. Come and be dazzled with me in the Lord’s light: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8: 12 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3 It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28 The sun shall no longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give … [Read more...]
The Pursuit of God – Revisited
I met an old friend this past weekend – the book, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I revisited its highlighted, dogged-eared pages and relished its wisdom. What a wonderful feast for my soul to dig into this volume once again. Isn’t it great to have these treasures on our shelves? This book reminded me to desire God above all things in my life. That deep hunger and emptiness within me is God’s fingerprint luring me back to him as the source of all life. All of us – our deepest compelling question – is to know God. Just rereading the chapters of this book woke me up – Following Hard after God (am I doing this?), the Blessedness of Possessing Nothing, Removing the Veil ( what obstacles are preventing me from seeing God in my life?), the Speaking Voice, The Gaze of the Soul, the Sacrament of Living. Just a few of the titles that helped me silence the internal and external noise within my heart and just pause and spend time with God, my rabbi, my teacher, my friend, my lover and … [Read more...]