TAKE HEART - Lectio Divina - February 28, 2010

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. - Psalm 31:24

TAKE HEART

Lord I have prayed this verse many times. 

I concentrate on the being strong part.  The internal pep talk of “ You can do it! Just hang in there. It will get better. Your shoulders can take it. Don’t show others you are weak. Be strong.”

I focus on the ending of this verse about hope in the Lord. I cling to the lifeline of hope that You will save me. Well, in honesty, the small kernel of doubt often grows into a gigantic log of uncertainty as I wait and wait and wait.

In the middle of this verse, two words sit quietly like an undiscovered diamond. Take heart.

When I grow weak, I have Your heart, Lord. You offer it to me and say, “take heart.”

I can’t do it all by myself. I need to “take heart.”

When I waver and doubt grows, You tenderly hand over Your heart for courage to stay the course.

What a gift, Lord. You give me Your heart, a heart overflowing with immeasurable love, courage, and perseverance. Thank you Lord for Your heart and the gentle reminder of Your presence.

"To have your identity is the most beautiful thing there is."

  
     A Yahoo news story this week called “Argentine stolen at birth, now 32, learns identity”  caught my attention. Its message lingers in my mind.

     Argentine security forces kidnapped a pregnant woman 33 years ago. She gave birth in prison to a boy. The newborn was taken from her and soon after the mother disappeared. One of the military officers brought the baby home to his wife.

     Earlier this month the son and his birth father finally were reunited. The story is heartbreaking to read. 

     As I look at my own granddaughter I can’t imagine living in a society that disrespects human life, tears families apart, and imprisons people for standing up for freedom. Even though the democratic process is at times frustrating, I am so thankful for our country.

     But this story provokes another feeling within my heart when I read this quote from the newly found son:

"For the first time, I know who I was. Who I am," the young man said, still marveling at his new identity. To have your identity is the most beautiful thing there is."

Don’t we all go through life trying to discover who we really are? Like freedom, our identity is a fundamental aspect of our life journey. Who am I, at my deepest core, under all the masks and layers of ego and false self?

Wayne Muller in his book, “How Then Shall We Live?” writes, “We must take great care with how we name ourselves. When we take our name, we are declaring in some subtle, indescribably potent act the most intimate, sacred truth of who we believe ourselves to be. N. Scott Momaday in his autobiography The Names tells us ‘A man’s life proceeds from his name, in the way that a river proceeds from its source.’”

 A few years ago a psychologist told me upon hearing my life review that he thought I had outgrown the person I used to be and was evolving into a new stage. I was discerning if I should retire early to pursue other dreams.  What I saw as turmoil, he saw as transformation.

Digging deep to that core identity is hard inner work. When I did retire, I felt like a 14 year old again struggling to figure who I was since I no longer had a title, a job and all the trappings that accompany the false ways to answer the question of Who Am I.

But I do know who and whose I am – I am a Child of God. God is the source of the living stream that all life precedes. God adopts us as His children, even though we are apart from Him at birth, we will be reunited one day. He searches for us and waits for us with open arms as did the Argentinean father who finally found his son.

We are children of God and “to have your identity is the most beautiful thing there is.”

Subtle Signs of Spring – Hidden Hints of Hope

February is the longest month in the year. At least it seems that way in dreary cold snowbound Northwest Ohio. I really think we should lift this month out of winter and move it in between July and August – extending summer and shortening winter.

   I don’t mind the changes in seasons, but by this time of year, the weight of winter seems heavy and never ending. Sort of like some of the problems we have in life.

    Is there any hope?

    If I just focus on the bleak weather and lifeless trees, then that is all I see. But if I step back with unobstructed eyes, subtle changes become visible.

   The days grow notably longer and brighter. Someone said to me the other day he drove home after work without turning on his headlights. When winter began on December 21, we had only nine hours of light; two months later we have 11 hours of light. 

    

   Within two miles, I saw a deer, skunk, opossum, and raccoon while driving this week. The animals are awake and moving – another faint clue something is changing.

     I haven’t seen a robin yet or green buds on the trees, but spring is coming. At times my heart is heavy with concerns and I feel powerless and hopeless, yet when I step back with unobstructed eyes, just like the changes in seasons, subtle changes in my problems become visible.

   Spring is coming and even in the dead of winter, signs of new life stir.

   Take a moment to enjoy the music and scenes for the video segment called the First Signs of Spring, from one of my favorite movies, Bambi 2.

And listen to the words and music of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song Spring is Coming Soon. 

May God show you His hidden hints of hope no matter what you are facing. Spring is coming!

The Nearness of God - Lectio Divina - February 21, 2010

 "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart”  Romans 10:8a (NIV)

The word is near you.

How incomprehensible this is, Lord, that you love us so much you dwell within our hearts. 

Near - a simple but powerful promise. You are near me.

You plant yourself deep within my soul and never leave me. 

When all others abandon me, you stay near.

When I shake with fear - you are near to hold me

When I am sick with worry - you are near to give me peace

When I feel lost and alone - you are near as my companion.

When my heart is heavy with disappointment - you are near to carry my load

When I boil over with anger - you are near to calm me down

When I am hurt - you are near to heal.

When I am confused - you are near to guide me.

When I am weak - you are near to give me strength

When I doubt - you are near to fill me with hope.

When I am broken, you are near with your complete love

My heart overflows with gratitude, my hands cling to you in sacred intimacy, and my soul rejoices within my whole being that you - as the Word - are near.

A sacred snug - a holy hug - an ever present presence!

Thank you, O  Lord!

Five Notes about Music as a Spiritual Practice

“Those who sing, pray twice.” St Augustine

Last Sunday our church organist played in an upbeat fashion. The music drew me into worship and I felt the presence of God. Music enhances my faith and opens my heart to see God in new ways.

Music is powerful. The ancient Greeks believed that music was the gateway to a person’s soul. I tend to agree. The music we hear or sing resonates God’s inner music deep inside us connecting us like part of a heavenly orchestra.

Have you ever thought of music as a spiritual practice? Here are some notes, musical notes, on how music feeds my soul:

1.     Prods – Music prods my soul –“Hey you, awake from your slumber. God is here!” Music spurs my soul to soar.

2.     Praise – Music releases notes of praise within my heart. I join a chorus from throughout the earth – birds chirping, trees rustling, whales singing – the list goes on and on – the entire planet praising the Creator.

3.     Prayer – Singing hymns expresses my deepest feelings often when words can’t be found. “Amazing grace – how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”

4.     Peace – Music quiets my soul, deadening the noise surrounding me so I can once again hear God. Music that has about 60 beats per minute—particularly classical music by Mozart, Bach, and Brahms—helps the brain to shift to lower gear. The body automatically adjusts to the rhythm and pulse of the music bringing calmness and peace.

5.     Presence – Music connects me once again with the Divine Director.  God created music to draw us closer to Him like a magnetic current.

More than just sounds -

More than just words -

More than just notes on a page -

  Music expresses the inexpressible and releases God’s song within us.

How does music refresh your soul?

ASHES TO ASHES – ASH WEDNESDAY

This week Lent begins – the 40 days before Easter. On Wednesday many churches hold Ash Wednesday services. This service, being utilized by more and more denominations, originated in the 10^th century.

Why ashes?  

Lent is a time to turn our hearts to God, giving thanks for the sacrifice of His son and acknowledging our own sins and limitations. We repent and like the Prodigal Son return once again to a forgiving, loving Lord.

Ashes refer to the Biblical practice of mourning. Though the actually Ash Wednesday custom is not mentioned in the Bible, the use of ashes in grief is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. We grieve our sinfulness during Lent.

Ashes symbolize dust-to-dustness and remind us of the need for cleansing, scrubbing and purifying. If they are applied during an act of kneeling, the very posture of defeat and submission expresses humility before God. We are marked by the Cross of Jesus.

In my church and many others, the ashes come from the burning of the palms we used on Palm Sunday. We joined the crowds that day cheering the incoming King that we all soon forgot or worse, condemned in our lack of faith and unworthiness.

During this Wednesday evening service, usually the pastor takes the ashes on the end of his thumb and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead of each worshiper, saying these words: "Remember: you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

Not a pretty sight, is it – dust and ashes?  Yet God, the Almighty Creator, took dust in His hands and made us, breathing His spirit of life into humankind. God makes dust/ashes a beautiful and beloved masterpiece.

Lent is a period of self-examination and repentance. Though this may sound depressing, in reality, it represents the joyous homecoming for us, as prodigals, reuniting with God. We pause and look at our lives, asking: where is God inviting me to grow spiritually?

Many people practice fasting during Lent or giving something up like chocolate or soda. One year I gave us being critical (That was a challenge!); another I listed 40 people (for the 40 days of Lent) that I prayed for each day. 

This year instead of doing something, I feel God is leading me to BE. Be fully present, loving the person right in front of me whether that person is a family member, the clerk at the checkout counter or the person I really don’t like. I am easily distracted and tend to live in the future, not the present, so this will be an intentional and challenging practice.  But I am going to try to BE PRESENT for others, deeply listening, loving, and lifting them up into God’s heart and hands.

“We cannot become truly good in a better, more marvelous, and yet easier way than by the simple use of the means offered us by God: the ready acceptance of all that comes to us at each moment of our lives.” 
— Jean Pierre de Caussade quoted in The Inner Treasure by Jonathan Star.

How is God calling you during Lent?

Prayer to See God with an Unveiled Face - Lectio Divina - February 14, 2010

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 12-18

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory

Lord, unveil my face. Wipe away all the hidden junk that I smear on my face, pretending to be something I am not. Clean the dust from the corners of my heart. 

“Ever-increasing glory” - not a one shot deal, is it Lord? Your transformation within my heart occurs one day, one step at a time. Slowly over time, my veil of false self peels away and I am able to reflect your glory.

Like a mirror coated with steam after a hot shower, You wipe the glass so Your light shines through.

I ask you, Lord to reveal to me what keeps me from You. I ask you to tear off my blinders and masks. Help me let go of habits and patterns that keep my veil snug.

You are powerful and forgiving.  You are creator love.  I turn my heart and my face towards You knowing you will keep your promise to continue the work you have begun in me. 

Please remove my veil so You shine through.

My Prayer for Wonder and Curiosity – To Have the Eyes of a Child

Aren't babies fun to watch?

My granddaughter, Kyla, is eight months old. Every week I ask her mother, Katie, what exciting new trick did Kyla learn this week?  Today Katie called to tell me Kyla pulled herself up to stand.  (Wasn’t she just a newborn yesterday? I will turn around and tomorrow she will be driving a car or getting married!)

 Watching babies teach us in unexpected ways.

Everyday is a new adventure for Kyla – new places to crawl and explore, learning how to pick up Cheerios and discovering their awesome texture and taste, squealing in different pitches and volumes – life is full of wonder and curiosity.

Lord, when did I lose the wonder and curiosity of a child?

How did this “I can do it all” attitude take over my brain?

When did sarcasm, doubt, fear and anger invade my every cell squeezing out trust, faith and the ability to marvel at the ordinary?

Lord I ask you for the eyes of a child:

To giggle at silly noises and pay attention to the whispers beneath the clamor

To peer deeply into the eyes of someone who cares

To squeal with delight with daily discoveries

To see the ordinary from a different point of view

To crawl on the floor exploring whatever is right in front of me

To learn something new each week and savor that moment

To feel the thrill of the quest in spying a desired object across the room and concentrating to use my entire body to reach it.

To smack my lips with new tastes and celebrate the miracle of each moment.

Lord pour into my heart refreshing waters of curiosity from your well of life, hope, and delight.

Touch my eyes to your marvels and heal my grown up blindness.

Connect me once again with your divine curiosity and sacred surprises.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do... Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  
Mark Twain


THIN PLACES

A Thin Place is a place where heaven and the physical worlds meet. The Celts use this word to describe the moments or places in our lives where the veil parts a little and we taste the sacredness or catch of glimpse of heaven.

In Germany a few years back, exploring the monastery ruins in Disibonenberg, I felt the presence and walked the grounds with Hildegard of Bingen. Disibon, a missionary from Ireland to that area, built the monastery in the 600s. Perhaps he did create a thin place there.

Recently I read a book of hope and healing titled Thin Places, a memoir by Mary Demuth. I recommend her haunting story about her broken childhood and the healing that takes places when she discovered God in her thin places.

Even though I received this book at no cost in exchange for posting a review, I do highly recommend its reading. I also think Thin Places would make a great book club or small group discussion.

Storytellers and writers will appreciate the rich language of this memoir. “Age grants me a surprising blessing: I understand true life doesn’t happen when I constantly gaze backwards, mulling over all the injustices others have done or I have done to others. Life is a tiptoeing anticipating of the future.”

Wisdom blooms from Mary’s brokenness: “The only way to turn around envy is to offer gratitude for what you have – to give thanks for what God has done in you and for you…The more gratitude, the closer we are to the whispers of Jesus.”

Where I experienced a thin place on an exciting vacation, Mary allows her heart to visit the hurts of the past, touching the thin places of painful memories. That takes courage and honesty.

Reminds me of the quote by Carl Jung:  “Bidden or not bidden, God is present."

Bidden or unbidden God is always with us.  In good times or painful times, God is present. In times we can’t see Him or in the thin places of life, God is present.

Where in your life have you experienced a thin place?

Putting out into Deep Water - Lectio Divina - February 7, 2010

     One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

   When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

   Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Luke 5:1-5 (NIV)

PUT OUT INTO DEEP WATER.

Lord, what are you asking of me? Deep water isn’t safe. I can’t touch the bottom where I can have control. I drift at the mercy of the waves out there.  I gasp for breath between gulps of salt water. I don’t know what is lurking below my feet as I franticly paddle to keep my head above water. And you want me to live this way?

I think I will linger along the shore where the shallow water is so much safer, calmer, and peaceful. Have a good trip.....

I noticed Peter protested too. But wait, he also obeyed.  Rereading this passage I see Peter listened to you, first on the shore while he worked, washing his nets. Then with you in the boat a little from the shore. A gradually pushing out into deeper waters - all the while taking in your words and soaking in your presence. 

Lord I am not sure what deep waters you are calling me into but I see now the sacred process.  Listen, abide,obey. Listen, abide, obey. Listen, abide obey.  

Step by step, always in your presence I learn to trust you no matter the depth of the water. 

I listen, abide, and obey and follow you into deep water.

The Four Chaplains – Selfless Sacrifice

The U.S.S. Dorchester, struck by a torpedo, sank 67 years ago. I read in our local paper that our county’s American Legion Posts were commemorated the selfless act and sacrifice of four armed forced chaplains during World War II.  They are honoring a story we all should not forget.

Often just called the four chaplains, something inside me drove me to find their real names:

Reverend George L. Fox, age 42 – Methodist

Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, age 32 – Jewish

Priest john R. Washington, age 34 – Catholic

Reverend Clark V. Poling, age 32 – Reformed Church in America

Briefly the story goes like this:

The four were clergy serving the U.S. Army aboard the U.S. Army Transport Dorchester, when it was torpedoed with 900 men on board. The four managed to reach the deck quickly and worked to calm the frenzied soldiers as they passed out life vests. However, the ship sank quickly, the stock of life vests ran out—and the four chaplains handed over their own vests to save lives. They helped as many men as they could into lifeboats, and then linked arms and, saying prayers and singing hymns, went down with the ship.

"Witnesses of that terrible night remember hearing the four men offer prayers for the dying and encouragement for those who would live," says Wyatt R. Fox, son of Reverend Fox.

One witness, Private William B. Bednar, found himself floating in oil-smeared water surrounded by dead bodies and debris. "I could hear men crying, pleading, praying," Bednar recalls. "I could also hear the chaplains preaching courage. Their voices were the only thing that kept me going."

One of the survivors said,  "It was the finest thing I have ever seen this side of heaven." 

Of the many heroic incidents of World War II, perhaps none stirred the nation more deeply than the story of these four men of God whose courageous efforts were credited with the saving of more than 200 lives.

These four men’s hearts, minds, and actions demonstrated God’s unconditional love, no matter race, gender or beliefs. They were united in knowing eternity existed, in knowing hope and encouragement provided strength to endure even the hardest of situations and in having faith in Someone beyond their comprehension and individual religious beliefs.

The story of the four chaplains reflects God’s selfless sacrifice in His son Jesus. 

 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (NIV)

I am not sure if I would have the courage to do as they did.  I hope none of us ever have to face that type of situation.

Yet each day our actions, words, and simple acts of kindness can reach beyond our differences and provide encouragement to others.  Each of us are capable to live lives that point to God.  This is a story I soon won’t forget.

Angels: God’s Ambassadors

During the month of February, the Monday post will feature a book I am reading.

Do you believe in angels?

As part of my public speaking ministry, the most frequently requested presentation is on Angels: God’s Ambassadors.  Interest in their existence and meaning peaked in the 90s, but in every group I speak to at least a couple of people will share their experience with an angel.

Bookshelves are flooded with various books about these heavenly agents. During my presentation I mention the classic one by Billy Graham and several others, but always leave the listeners with a warning also.  Many books about angels are just plain bunk.  Be sure what you are reading is Bible based.

I have a new one to recommend that is a solid reference:  Angels by Dr. David Jeremiah.  Now I have to give the basic disclosure here: This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group. But I am so pleased to have new Bible based material to add to my collection. The book is widely available, including here: http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601422699&ref=externallink_mlt_Angels_sec_1208_01

More than 60,000 units of this powerful book have sold in two past editions. This repackage of the original 1996 paperback will surely capture the attention of readers of all ages who seek a broad and thorough survey of scripture that clearly separates fact from fiction as it relates to angels.

Dr Jeremiah organizes his book around the basic topics of what angels are, when do they appear, and their relationship with God, Jesus and us. I love his chapters on what angels do with his emphasis on worship and working for God.

He rightfully gives us three warnings: 

We must not create or reshape angels according to our own fancy; we must never let angels replace God in our lives and angels must never receive our worship.  Clear guidance for anyone wanted to learn more about angels.

“Remember that angels are always one-way messengers. They are God’s messengers to us and never our messengers to God.”

An inspirational and factual book to read. 

I believe God communicates with us in many ways, one being through his ambassadors, angels.

Do you believe in angels?