Wednesday, April 30, 2008

If there is to be any peace,

It will come through being, not having.

~ Henry Miller

Deeper peace and grace is often not valued in popular culture. Our society is all about having and getting. That this does not lead to peace ought to be obvious. So may you welcome the gift of simply being and know a peace that passes understanding.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Why is it always easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to them?

~ Alfred Adler

Living up to our own principles is the idea. When we impose them on others we often become judgmental and overly critical. Ask God for the faith and patience to live out the best of your ideals and allow others that same grace.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Four things come not back:

The spoken word,

The sped arrow,

The neglected opportunity,

And the thoughtless e-mail.

Electronic communication has made it all too easy to quickly fire off a thought and send it without the kind of slow consideration it may deserve. But in a way this is nothing new. The writer of James says of human speech: "but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). And indeed our tongues (or emails) can bless or curse. May you use the avenues of communication open to you to be a blessing! 

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.

~ Winston Churchill

Give and take, it's the interchange of our daily life. Both are needed, both valued. Yet there are times when this back and forth gets out of balance. In our current time in history the scales are weighed towards getting and our planet, relationships and spirits suffer.

It is a gift of the Spirit to know that in giving is a deeper grace and healing. May you give back today in whatever way is open to you.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I have never understood why it should be considered derogatory

to suppose that the Creator has a sense of humor.

~ William Ralph Inge

... Or as John Wesley said, "Sour godliness is the devil's religion."

Have a grace-filled laugh today!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Do what you can,

with what you have,

where you are.

~ Theodore Roosevelt

This reminded me a bit of yesterday's Wesley quote. And like it, it speaks of our need to offer to God and others the gifts we have. We are not blessed for ourselves alone, rather we are blessed to be a blessing. Sharing those gifts is far from a burden, it is the fullness of Grace as we complete those gifts by offering them back to the One who gives them.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

"Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can."

~ John Wesley

This is one of Wesley's (the founder of the Methodist movement) most famous quotes. It would not be unusual to see it  in on a wall plaque somewhere. They are words to live by.

May you live by these words and allow the Spirit to shine in your life today.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.

~ St. Augustine

Being a part of the Christian tradition and a particular faith community presents us with the need to wrestle with certain aspects of the faith that we might not understand or appreciate. Rather than just dismissing those things we do not believe, we need to listen to those voices which may sound strange to us, so that we might grow and be part of something bigger than ourselves alone. May you be blest to believe in something bigger than yourself alone.

Monday, April 14, 2008

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened.

~ Helen Keller

We often seek out ease and quiet. Yet life events will bring trials and suffering. A gift of faith is that these difficulties are pathways to deeper growth. While we do not seek out these struggles, by God's grace, let's be open to the gift they may bring.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.

~Amelia Earhart

Or, as Jesus said, "If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand - shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God." (Matthew 5:15-16, the Message)

May you let it shine today. You can do it! You were created for this!

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.

~ Henry David Thoreau 

I spent most of this morning in prayer with others at our retreat center at Rolling Ridge. We gathered to pray for the work of that center with adult spiritual formation. There were words spoken, but there was also much silence as we offered our hopes and listened for the leading of the Spirit. 

I was there because the Ridge is, for me, a place of spiritual friendship. And being there was one way I could be there for my friends. Jesus calls us friends and urges us to be friends. Today may you simply be a friend to others!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

We can often do more for others by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs.

~  François Fénelon

Or as Jesus said, "Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye." (Luke 6:41-42)

You can not control or fix others. It is enough to correct yourself.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Exercise Daily: Walk with God

Now the Spring is here I've noticed more people out walking, running or riding bikes. Warm weather is a cue to get out and get some exercise.

But what about our spiritual journey? What reminds us to be more intentional there? Perhaps a sense of deeper hunger? Perhaps a loss that causes us to question how we live?

Whatever prompts you, don't forget your daily soul exercise.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection not in books alone,

but in every leaf in springtime.

~ Martin Luther

The promise is all around us. God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

~ Soren Kierkegaard 

... or a mystery to appreciate.  As much as we are called to reform and better our world, we must never forget that life is finally bigger than us and not entirely under our control. So also work to appreciate the gift of this day and welcome the gifts it brings.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

~ Nelson Mandela

We oftentimes want to help others change but frequently our attempts in that direction are not successful. Others usually resist our attempts at making them turn over a new leaf! 

But if we are people who allow our best to shine forth we encourage others to do the same. As they see your light shine they will be moved to let their light shine also.