I was reading Thomas Merton’s book Thoughts In Solitude this afternoon. As I sat reading on the swing in the backyard I listened each hour as the bells of the local Methodist church rang out. This was one of the first things I loved about our neighborhood. When we first moved in I would stop what [...]
Archive for the ‘Devotional Reading’ Category
For Whom The Bells Toll . . .
Posted in Devotional Reading on May 9, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Being Loved By God
Posted in Devotional Reading on May 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I was reading this great book yesterday called “Life of the Beloved” by Henri Nouwen (one of my favorite authors) and I came across a passage that reminded me of a discussion we had in my small group. We were talking about how we tend to perceive God: universal genie, judgmental/scowling Monty Python God, “Buddy [...]
Lent: Week 1 Reflection
Posted in Devotional Reading on March 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
For the 1st week of Lent I chose to focus on the challenge that asked me to meditate on Psalm 51. Actually, Psalm 51 kind of stalked me all last week. First I specifically asked that the song ”Create in Me a Clean Heart” be part of the Ash Wednesday service I was preaching at; then I [...]
RESOURCES FOR LENT
Posted in Devotional Reading on February 23, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I feel like I should apologize for not keeping up as much as I’d like with my postings. It has been a bit more hectic around here than usual, but I am heading toward the downswing of busy-ness – just in time for Lent. If you are unfamiliar with Lent I would encourage you to [...]
A Valentine’s Day Devotion
Posted in Devotional Reading on February 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The title of this post is a bit of a double entendre because, while this is a devotion being written on Valentine’s Day, in it I would like us to consider our cultural devotion to Valentine’s Day. Don’t worry, I’m not a Valentine’s Day spoil sport – I gave my husband a box of chocolates and he gave [...]
The Flesh and the Spirit
Posted in Devotional Reading on February 4, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here is a poem by one of my favorite American poets, Anne Bradstreet (1612 – 1672). In it, she portrays a conversation between two “sisters”: the flesh and the spirit. Sister Flesh goes on about the benefits of the things of this world, and Sister Spirit answers her sarcastic questions with a defense of living [...]
Loyal, But Not Blind
Posted in Devotional Reading on January 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Woodrow Wilson, our 28th President, said “Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.” This principle is shown in the actions of both David and Abigail as they struggle to remain loyal to those who have power or authority over them. David twice refrains from killing Saul, while Saul [...]
Thoughts on the Inauguration
Posted in Devotional Reading on January 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
I was one of the millions of people excited to watch the inauguration of a new President this morning, and now I’m one of the many bloggers who are writing about it! I do not strongly identify with all the tenets of any political party. That said, I was just so happy to witness the [...]
Hannah’s Prayer: Part 3/3
Posted in Devotional Reading on January 16, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The third principle we can be reminded of in Hannah’s Prayers is that “It is not by strength that one prevails” (2:9). There is some major foreshadowing happening here. We are about to see Eli stumble and fall as a priest who refuses God’s counsel; then Samuel will make similar mistakes with his own family; [...]
Hannah’s Prayer: Part 2/3
Posted in Devotional Reading on January 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
The second principle we learn from Hannnah’s prayer is that God cares deeply for the powerless. Hannah was a powerless woman who would have been considered a failure by societal standards because she could not conceive. But God considered her a success because her desire translated into faithfulness when she kept her promise and dedicated Samuel [...]
