Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Have a wonderful day with family and loved ones.
Blessings!
11.27.2008
11.25.2008
Daily Devotional
I receive a daily devotion from the ministry "Ransomed Heart" by John Eldredge. They are really very good. This one goes along with my other posts, so I thought I would add it.
You can sign up for a daily devotional at (dailyreadings@ransomedheart.com)
We usually think of the middle years of the Christian life as a time of acquiring better habits and their accompanying virtues. But inviting Jesus into the “aching abyss” of our heart, perhaps has more to do with holding our heart hopefully in partial emptiness in a way that allows desire to be rekindled. “Discipline imposed from the outside eventually defeats when it is not matched by desire from within,” said Dawson Trotman. There comes a place on our spiritual journey where renewed religious activity is of no use whatsoever. It is the place where God holds out his hand and asks us to give up our lovers and come and live with him in a much more personal way. It is the place of relational intimacy that Satan lured Adam and Eve away from so long ago in the Garden of Eden. We are both drawn to it and fear it. Part of us would rather return to Scripture memorization, or Bible study, or service—anything that would save us from the unknowns of walking with God. We are partly convinced our life is elsewhere. We are deceived.
“We are half-hearted creatures,” says Lewis in The Weight of Glory, “fooling about with drink and sex and ambition [and religious effort] when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
(The Sacred Romance , 137)
You can sign up for a daily devotional at (dailyreadings@ransomedheart.com)
Too Easily Pleased
11/25/2008
11/25/2008
We usually think of the middle years of the Christian life as a time of acquiring better habits and their accompanying virtues. But inviting Jesus into the “aching abyss” of our heart, perhaps has more to do with holding our heart hopefully in partial emptiness in a way that allows desire to be rekindled. “Discipline imposed from the outside eventually defeats when it is not matched by desire from within,” said Dawson Trotman. There comes a place on our spiritual journey where renewed religious activity is of no use whatsoever. It is the place where God holds out his hand and asks us to give up our lovers and come and live with him in a much more personal way. It is the place of relational intimacy that Satan lured Adam and Eve away from so long ago in the Garden of Eden. We are both drawn to it and fear it. Part of us would rather return to Scripture memorization, or Bible study, or service—anything that would save us from the unknowns of walking with God. We are partly convinced our life is elsewhere. We are deceived.
“We are half-hearted creatures,” says Lewis in The Weight of Glory, “fooling about with drink and sex and ambition [and religious effort] when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
(The Sacred Romance , 137)
Good Soil
I am still reading Ken Gire's book "Seeing What is Sacred". There is so much in it to digest. I would encourage you to get a copy. It would be fun to be able to discuss it and maybe share what it is saying to our hearts. Part III is titled "The Soil of the Reflective Life". He speaks of the parable of the sower (Matt. 13:1-23). Remember, the condition of the soil determines the crop.
A seed may fall on hard soil from feet too hurried to stop, or on a heart that is shallow in its understanding, and so the roots can't penetrate deeply enough for the plant to survive the inevitable scorch of difficult days ahead, or the seed may fall into a heart that is overgrown with distractions, which seem harmless enough in the beginning but in the end choke out the growth. Or it falls into a heart that has been prepared, which will yield a harvest. Now I know I want a prepared heart, but I'm not sure I can say with all honesty that I want what it takes to have a prepared heart. Think about a garden that yields a great harvest, what it takes to have good soil.
It has to be plowed, its clods broken up, rocks removed, weeds pulled out, things added to nourish the soil. Certain things surrender their lives to nourish the soil, leaves, twigs bark, all of it turned into compost to nourish the soil. Will I allow certain things to die in me to enable my heart to be ready???? There is a line in one of Margaret Becker's songs that says........ be ground be crumbled - nothing grows on rock and steel so lets just yield to surrender....... This is so interesting to me, the organic stuff that is broken down to give the soil its richness is called "humus." Humble is related to it, meaning "to be brought low." That is the process God uses to make us receptive to His word. We as a society I think have a very bad view of that word. But if our Lord himself is called humble, why is that???? Even Jesus being himself God, new on earth he had to be dependent on God the Father. So again, though I don't understand it all, I know that God has my best in mind, that whatever comes into my life is sifted through his hands, and it will be used for my good. Not that everything that happens is necessarily good, but it will be used for my good. I think I am finally coming to a place in my life that I truly want a humble heart, a fertile place where the seeds can really take root and grow and to produce a harvest. It's not all about me!!!!! Part of me thinks, don't speak these words out loud, just keep them in your head, your heart, maybe think about them a little longer. But I am putting them out there, for all to see, because I want them to be real. It is still a scary place for me, because I know that what it will take is more dying to myself - dying to what I think life should be like, exchanging it for what God wants my life to be about. But again, if HE is the one who loves me best, and HE does, I am really in a safe place.
Blessings to you all!!!
A seed may fall on hard soil from feet too hurried to stop, or on a heart that is shallow in its understanding, and so the roots can't penetrate deeply enough for the plant to survive the inevitable scorch of difficult days ahead, or the seed may fall into a heart that is overgrown with distractions, which seem harmless enough in the beginning but in the end choke out the growth. Or it falls into a heart that has been prepared, which will yield a harvest. Now I know I want a prepared heart, but I'm not sure I can say with all honesty that I want what it takes to have a prepared heart. Think about a garden that yields a great harvest, what it takes to have good soil.
It has to be plowed, its clods broken up, rocks removed, weeds pulled out, things added to nourish the soil. Certain things surrender their lives to nourish the soil, leaves, twigs bark, all of it turned into compost to nourish the soil. Will I allow certain things to die in me to enable my heart to be ready???? There is a line in one of Margaret Becker's songs that says........ be ground be crumbled - nothing grows on rock and steel so lets just yield to surrender....... This is so interesting to me, the organic stuff that is broken down to give the soil its richness is called "humus." Humble is related to it, meaning "to be brought low." That is the process God uses to make us receptive to His word. We as a society I think have a very bad view of that word. But if our Lord himself is called humble, why is that???? Even Jesus being himself God, new on earth he had to be dependent on God the Father. So again, though I don't understand it all, I know that God has my best in mind, that whatever comes into my life is sifted through his hands, and it will be used for my good. Not that everything that happens is necessarily good, but it will be used for my good. I think I am finally coming to a place in my life that I truly want a humble heart, a fertile place where the seeds can really take root and grow and to produce a harvest. It's not all about me!!!!! Part of me thinks, don't speak these words out loud, just keep them in your head, your heart, maybe think about them a little longer. But I am putting them out there, for all to see, because I want them to be real. It is still a scary place for me, because I know that what it will take is more dying to myself - dying to what I think life should be like, exchanging it for what God wants my life to be about. But again, if HE is the one who loves me best, and HE does, I am really in a safe place.
Blessings to you all!!!
11.21.2008
I'm Not
There is a saying, God is God and your not! Well, I can say I certainly have always believed that, but I have not always lived that way. Still do not, but I am learning. I have gone through most of my life living it the way I wanted, doing what I wanted when I wanted. But, if God is all loving, and he is, if he has a specific plan for me, and he does, if I want to choose what's best for me, and I do, why do I not seek after what He has for me??? The one who knows me best, and loves me most. We go through life with all these needs and desires. With all kinds of baggage from our past and present. We carry wounds in our hearts inflicted by others and just the living of life. We seek to fill the void with so many things, even good things - but not the best things. We settle for too little. I for one want all God has for me - all he planned for me. Now that is an adventure!!! But it is also scary for me. It requires giving up what I think is best, but I exchange it for something better. Still scary. But I am learning to trust!!! Something I read today, again from Ken Gire's book, "Seeing what is Sacred" (Most of us turn to Christ when we realized there was a difference between Christianity as a religion and Christianity as a relationship. Sometime after entering into that relationship with Christ, we realize something else. That there is a difference between a personal relationship with Christ and an intimate one.)
I think that this is what my new path is about. I have been a believer for many years, but just in this last year, I have begun to realize there is more. That what God offers to us is so much more that what I first thought. There can be a richness and depth to life that I never new. It is how God wanted life to be in the beginning.
Blessings to you all!
Here is a great oatmeal recipe - good for the body as well as the soul.
2 cups 1% low-fat milk (my friend uses almond milk, yum)
2 cups regular oats
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons sliced almonds, (toasted or not)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Bring milk to a boil over medium heat. Stir in oats; cook 5 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in raisins and next 4 ingredients. (through cinnamon)
Serve with nuts and sugar.
Makes 4 servings
Blessings to you all!
I think that this is what my new path is about. I have been a believer for many years, but just in this last year, I have begun to realize there is more. That what God offers to us is so much more that what I first thought. There can be a richness and depth to life that I never new. It is how God wanted life to be in the beginning.
Blessings to you all!
Here is a great oatmeal recipe - good for the body as well as the soul.
2 cups 1% low-fat milk (my friend uses almond milk, yum)
2 cups regular oats
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons sliced almonds, (toasted or not)
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Bring milk to a boil over medium heat. Stir in oats; cook 5 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in raisins and next 4 ingredients. (through cinnamon)
Serve with nuts and sugar.
Makes 4 servings
Blessings to you all!
11.20.2008
Slowing the Pace
Good morning. A brand new cold day here in Georgia. I cannot believe November is more than half over. I am so behind in just about everything. There is always, always, so much to do. Have you noticed that with all the time saving things we have we still don't have enough time
to do all we want in a day. It seems that instead of saving us time (and they do) they enable us to cram more stuff in our day. We do not slow down because of them - we just add more stuff.
As I am getting older, and my kids are mostly grown, I am beginning to look at life a little differently. I am reading a wonderful book by Ken Gire, he has several wonderful books in fact. This one, "Seeing What is Sacred" speaks to the need of slowing down and really seeing, reflecting. Listen to this quote by Thomas Merton.
I know it takes work, but we have forgotten what quiet is like. We fill our days with music, TV, or the computer. (like now) :) I know I have a really hard time quieting down. I do not do it well, but I am learning.
It's funny, my blog name is A Splendid Adventure - adventure speaks action - and I am wanting
to slow down, but that does take action, a different kind of action, and more of a heart adventure.
Oh, I also wanted to comment about the childrens book a day thingy on my page. I love childrens books and I have a new grandson that I can read to - well in a few months, he is only 2 months old. Today's featured book is "Runaway Bunny" If you never read it to your kids you need to. Even if they are older. It's about a mommy bunny pursuing her baby bunny wherever he goes. God does that too. He is the lover and pursuer of our hearts. But he is also kind and gentle. He will not come where he is not invited and welcomed.
Blessings to you all, and try to take some time to give your heart a gift.
to do all we want in a day. It seems that instead of saving us time (and they do) they enable us to cram more stuff in our day. We do not slow down because of them - we just add more stuff.
As I am getting older, and my kids are mostly grown, I am beginning to look at life a little differently. I am reading a wonderful book by Ken Gire, he has several wonderful books in fact. This one, "Seeing What is Sacred" speaks to the need of slowing down and really seeing, reflecting. Listen to this quote by Thomas Merton.
Every moment and every event of every man's
life on earth plants something in his soul. For
just as the wind carries thousands of invisible
and visible winged seeds, so the stream of
time brings with it germs of spiritual vitality
that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds
and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered
seeds perish and are lost, because men are not
prepared to receive them.
Thomas Merton
Seeds of Contemplation
I want to be prepared to receive them. We hurry thorough our day, and our hearts miss out.life on earth plants something in his soul. For
just as the wind carries thousands of invisible
and visible winged seeds, so the stream of
time brings with it germs of spiritual vitality
that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds
and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered
seeds perish and are lost, because men are not
prepared to receive them.
Thomas Merton
Seeds of Contemplation
I know it takes work, but we have forgotten what quiet is like. We fill our days with music, TV, or the computer. (like now) :) I know I have a really hard time quieting down. I do not do it well, but I am learning.
It's funny, my blog name is A Splendid Adventure - adventure speaks action - and I am wanting
to slow down, but that does take action, a different kind of action, and more of a heart adventure.
Oh, I also wanted to comment about the childrens book a day thingy on my page. I love childrens books and I have a new grandson that I can read to - well in a few months, he is only 2 months old. Today's featured book is "Runaway Bunny" If you never read it to your kids you need to. Even if they are older. It's about a mommy bunny pursuing her baby bunny wherever he goes. God does that too. He is the lover and pursuer of our hearts. But he is also kind and gentle. He will not come where he is not invited and welcomed.
Blessings to you all, and try to take some time to give your heart a gift.
11.19.2008
Beginnings
Good morning to you all. I thought I would jump into the world of blogging. I have been wanting to begin one for awhile but unsure of how it would do has keep me from trying, but no more.
I had the hardest time trying to think of a title for my blog. In fact, I began setting this up a few months ago and could not come up with a title that spoke to me. So, I set it aside till I could. I was thinking about what I wanted this to be about. I did not want it to just be about me and my journey, but about yours too. Reaching out to others along the path of life. I am finding as I reach inward, it is causing a desire to reach outward as well. Yesterday during a time of reflection, I felt the nudge to come back to this. A title that resonated with me came to mind. A SPLENDID ADVENTURE Yes, that's it!! For that is what I am on. It may not always be fun, but it is splendid none the less. So off we go, and I am trusting it will lead to even more splendid adventures.
I had the hardest time trying to think of a title for my blog. In fact, I began setting this up a few months ago and could not come up with a title that spoke to me. So, I set it aside till I could. I was thinking about what I wanted this to be about. I did not want it to just be about me and my journey, but about yours too. Reaching out to others along the path of life. I am finding as I reach inward, it is causing a desire to reach outward as well. Yesterday during a time of reflection, I felt the nudge to come back to this. A title that resonated with me came to mind. A SPLENDID ADVENTURE Yes, that's it!! For that is what I am on. It may not always be fun, but it is splendid none the less. So off we go, and I am trusting it will lead to even more splendid adventures.
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