Page 34 of 369
The journey through my 80’s in retirement, I have found my main spiritual work has become the formation of my own soul, that is, giving attention to the formation of my life in Christ. I have become more comfortable resting in the mystery of my inner life, not depending on my understanding or experience. The words of Paul in Colossians 3:3 have taken on new meaning for me. “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” As an evangelical protestant I have found both “soul food and spiritual nourishment” in the Christian spirituality of the Catholic Church, which is part of the “Great Tradition” going back to the earliest centuries of the Christian story. I have discovered and tasted this rich spiritual vineyard, having been nourished by its rich spiritual fruit. I thank God for this discovery.
In these days of spiritual awareness and growth, Carmelite nun, Ruth Burrows has been a spiritual guide on my journey. Some years ago I read her book, “Essence of Prayer.” Chapter four, “Prayer that is Jesus” made an impression in my spiritual awareness. I found in Burrows, someone who was totally focused on Jesus. This spoke to my Lutheran pietistic roots, with its focus on a warm hearted experience of Jesus. She stated, “Only One has attained the Father and we can attain him only insofar as we allow ourselves to be caught up in Jesus, carried along by him.”
She went on to say, “….we must die with Jesus: not of ourselves, or by ourselves, but ‘in him.’ I must enter into his death. This death is a death to my self-centeredness and self-possession. It is an ecstasy: a going right out of myself to belong to God. This is the essence of faith. I cannot achieve it myself; it is wrought by God and is the effect of mystical contact. God reveals himself to the inmost depths of the self, but ‘no one can see God and live.'” Speaking of contemplation she plainly explains, “Ultimately, to be a contemplative means to be holy, to be transformed into Jesus…..This profound communication of God cannot be known by our natural faculties.” Further she notes, “God’s direct communication and his transforming action must remain secret. Only by their fruits will they be known: by a quality of life.”
One of the images from Burrows’ writing, that has been most helpful for me has been Paul’s words in Philippians 2:6-11, where the “Kenosis,” the emptying of Jesus, is described. “Who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave” (Phil 2:6-7). Burrows encourages us to enter into Jesus’ experience as Jesus expresses his “yes” to the Father’s outpouring of love in and through his frail humanity.
By faith, I find myself taking my place with Jesus on the cross. I continually release into Jesus all of my old nature. As I enter into his death, I find my life being enfolded into Jesus, as He takes me to the Father. I stand empty handed before the Father’s love. Burrows has helped me see that I my identification with Jesus on the cross in the presence of the Father allows me to release unto him all my nothingness, poverty and emptiness. I can experience God loving me, so that I might be able to love him, with the love I have received. In Burrows words, “We come to Jesus with empty hands so we are able to let ourselves be loved.”
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a great weekend. I want to give you an update on Jack, who you prayed for recently. He is out of ICU and in rehab at the very place his wife has happened to be for a while. We got a picture of them both in wheelchairs as they hugged and kissed each other after God’s miracle of healing on Jack’s life. What a reunion for them!
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Most of us don’t choose struggles in life, but they happen to us and we must deal with them. The fourth and fifth-century desert fathers had a different outlook on struggles, seeing them as healthy and necessary to drive us to the Lord. Al and I recently struggled with minor health issues and I had not thought to thank the Lord for them, but thought more to pray that they may soon disappear. Instead, I should have been praying that the Lord would teach me through them, develop my character and lead me into greater intimacy.
Our goal in life should not be to live a comfortable life and to be successful in the eyes of the world, but rather to draw closer to the Lord and develop mature character that we can have an influence on others to know Him. Struggles that fight against our flesh are good for our souls as they help us realize how much we need the Lord. One who exemplified this was St. Antony of Egypt, who grew up in a rich home and who after his parents died managed the responsibilities of the home and his younger sister. But while going to church one day, he wondered what it would be like for him to forsake everything to follow the Lord. The sermon text at church was from Matt 19:21, about if you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor. That is exactly what he did and then entrusted the care of his sister to friends. He withdrew and lived in an abandoned fortress for 20 years in isolation where he did battle with the enemy and came through the testing with humility, peace and great love for the Lord. Others sought him, and eventually he left his desired solitude and spent the last part of his life healing the sick, mentoring disciples, and serving those who had suffered for their faith. He especially encouraged others to prefer nothing in the world above the love of Christ.
When Constantine assumed the throne, he issued the Edict of Milan (A.D. 313) giving Christianity legal status in the Roman empire. Church attendance grew, but it wasn’t long before Christianity became almost fashionable. What resulted was a worldly church; not persecution but privilege. The enemy they fought was now within. It sounds like the church today. We all have to face the darkness of our own souls. Let us not seek a life of comfort, but rather victory over our struggles that draw us closer to the Lord.
Challenge for today: Thank the Lord for the very struggles that help you realize how much you need Him.
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a blessed weekend. Today I plan to clean the apartment and then Al and I are going to go to the celebration of life for a special person in our lives from here at Northern Living. She is someone we will never forget and I hope you will get a picture of what she was like as you read the devotion today.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Haven’t we all met people that are unforgettable and have an impact on our life in a deep way? I think many of us at Northern Lakes will never forget Ivy, a small bent over woman who buzzed around in a motorized wheelchair and came to Bible Study each Thursday. We reserved a place for her next to Al so she could hear better and so others could hear her. What she had to say seemed to be just what we needed to hear and often it was a scripture that fit whatever we were discussing.
Al and I met Ivy when she first came to Northern Lakes several years ago. She had many questions and had a difficult time making decisions. She lived in the handicapped apartment and we often took her to church with us. Her son and wife invited her to live with them for a time but it wasn’t long until she came back to her same apartment and we had all missed her.
Ivy shared with our Bible study group about her early years growing up in a dysfunctional family that had left her wavering with many questions. She wanted to believe in her Heavenly Father and His love for her, but it wasn’t connecting to her heart. One day while driving she was calling out to the Lord and saying she wanted to believe and please help her. Suddenly she was overcome with a sense of God’s presence and that He loved her. It left her changed. After that Ivy seemed to just glow and there was a holy boldness about her. Al and I noticed a great difference in her and from then on, we spent time with her rejoicing, for she had found the Pearl of Great Price.
Ivy’s life was not easy as she lived in pain all the time. She had a hard time breathing as she was very bent over as her spine was collapsing and breathing became more difficult. But she never wanted to miss Bible Study where the Lord used her words to speak to all of us. Even when hard things were shared by others, she had a positive word of how the Lord was sovereign and would handle it. She certainly knew that from experience.
Ivy went home to the Lord and as I write this there is such joy in my heart that she is now with the Lord. No more pain but only delight to see Him face to face. Her only sorrow was loved ones who have not yet received the Lord. We will carry that burden and pray. No, none of us will forget Ivy, for she challenged us spiritually with her strong faith and words spoken in love.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to give you holy boldness to share Him with others and live your life for His glory.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
Dear Ones,
Happy weekend to you! The snow has been beautiful out our window but hope it will be disappearing soon so spring will come! Today I am going to spend time in the closet as I got some free containers that stack and want to use them for a less cluttered look.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Jesus’ way is so opposite of the world’s and as His followers our responses to others should show who we belong to. Our natural way is often opposite of what Jesus would do. I was reading in Luke 6 and Jesus is telling the crowd to do for other people everything we want them to do for us. He specifically mentions those who do not treat us well that we would respond His way. “Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you. Pray for those who insult you…Love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back…Stop judging and you will never be judged. Stop condemning, and you will never be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven…Give and you will receive.”
These are all beautiful words but how hard they are to put into practice. We need to be filled with God’s love, need to die to self and not feed our egos, need to look at our own hearts rather than pointing out what we see in the hearts of others. God’s way is one of humility and when our hearts are right before the Lord, even the hard things can bring blessings and bear fruit. I also read from Proverbs 15 and wise King Solomon really opens our eyes to what happens when we go Jesus’ way. Instead of a sharp answer to others, “A gentle response defuses anger.” Instead of cutting words, “Kind words heal and help.”
Our hearts are also amazingly changed as we go His way and Solomon says “The lives of God-loyal people flourish,” and “a cheerful heart fills the day with song,” also “an obedient, God-willed life is spacious.” He goes on to say we first learn humility, then we experience glory.
Challenge for today: The next time someone is angry calmly respond and use gentle words and watch God work.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy
Dear Ones,
We have lots and lots of snow! 
So glad our pastor postponed the service last night as it just kept snowing. Today is donut day and I am going to try a new recipe for chicken thighs. This afternoon is Bible Study and tonight is Soup supper and Lenten service.
Devotions from Judy’s heart
So glad our pastor postponed the service last night as it just kept snowing. Today is donut day and I am going to try a new recipe for chicken thighs. This afternoon is Bible Study and tonight is Soup supper and Lenten service.Devotions from Judy’s heart
No matter what is going on in our lives, we can rest securely, for God is with us. Over and over again in the Word, He reminds us that we do not have to fear but trust Him in every circumstance we may go through. Isaiah 41:9-10 is one of my favorite scriptures that comes to mind when I am afraid and experiencing something difficult. ”Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah said this to the Israelites when they were experiencing the threat of the Babylonians. The Message Translation says, “Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” He said they could always count on God’s help and He would not let go of them.
When we respond to the Lord, even that is a work of God that draws us to Him. From the very beginning, God gives us freedom to choose if we will follow Him; He doesn’t force us to believe and obey Him. Adam and Eve began right but chose to disobey God and felt fear and shame, just as we do when we sin. But the Lord seeks to draw us back. We have to decide if we will choose Him or our own way. It’s comforting that the Bible records all the many people who sinned and turned from the Lord, but then later came back and were restored. When we choose the Lord, we are set free from self-effort and earning for we can never measure up. Instead, we simply receive from the Lord even though we may sometimes have to pray, “I believe Lord, help my unbelief.”
Let us not shut ourselves off from the Lord and go our own way but choose to trust the Lord each day. Gradually we will become more like Him and our fears will give way to knowing He is with us and will uphold us with His victorious right hand.
Challenge for today: Ask for grace to trust the Lord in all things and know He is always with you.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
Dear Ones,
Hoping this will be the last of the snow and that Spring will soon come. Today there is Exercise class and
Crafts but the Lenten supper and service has already been postponed until tomorrow night. Weather can quickly change things! Your question for this week is Who in your life shows you compassion? Can you think of a specific word they gave you that changed your life in a positive way?
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Are there people in your life that speak kind and loving words to you and show compassion? That is truly a gift from the Lord and we need to do that for one another. We are all on a journey and the Lord sends people to walk with us sometimes for a short time and sometimes for the long distance. They are gifts from Him when we can be vulnerable and ourselves with them and know that they won’t give up on us but supportive of us!
As good as that is, we must also remember to be supportive of ourselves and deal with those deep issues, hurts and expectations we might have of ourselves. We may show others more compassion than we would reserve for ourselves but how can we know ourselves if we hide and cover up. We end up being strangers to ourselves. One man who has blocked out emotions all his life and now getting help, shared how he is experiencing what it means to love and have joy and also pain as he becomes aware of what is going on within himself. It’s like being reborn. Also, many that are so scattered and disordered need help to get things in order in their lives. If we are honest, we all have parts of us that are disconnected from our Center and like Paul said in Romans 7:15, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” We don’t need to be defined by our actions and disorders but to turn back to God in us.
Hopefully we will find our worth in the Lord and know God’s love and acceptance in the deepest parts of our lives. He delights in us and wants to transform us and heal our broken parts. Henri Nouwen wrote, “Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved.’ Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” Let us be compassionate with ourselves and give the Holy Spirit free reign to heal us and to help us become our true selves in Him.
Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to show you what is ‘disordered’ in your life and give Him the pieces so He can weave you into the beautiful person He designed from the very beginning.
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
Dear Ones,
Hope you have a Spirit-filled day! I plan to do food prep and go to Women’s Bible Study this morning and hopefully have friends over this afternoon.
We hear lots of snow is coming, maybe 10″ tomorrow! .
.Devotions from Judy’s heart
Don’t we all love to get invitations to weddings and many special events and respond by giving acceptance? We have the most wonderful invitation of all given by Jesus to each of us who know Him that we would be filled with the Spirit. He says to us in John 7:37 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” When we open ourselves to the Spirit, He will fill us, gift us and empower us. All kinds of wonderful things happen when the Holy Spirit has free reign in us. He reveals Jesus to us in new ways we have not experienced before.
When we say yes to the Holy Spirit, we will also find that our eyes are opened in a clearer way. We see the needs of others and He puts His desire in our hearts to help where help is needed. We come to experience what it is like to love others as ourselves and consider their needs and respond in love to help. We seem to become more aware of His voice within and know He is speaking to us and directing us. We also desire to freely acknowledge our sin and not try to cover it but lay our heart open and repent. Like David prayed in Psalm 32:5, “Then I let it all out; I said, ‘I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.’ Suddenly the pressure was gone-my guilt dissolved; my sin disappeared.” We no longer have condemnation but praise that we are truly forgiven.
It is good every day to ask the Holy Spirit to speak through the Word to our hearts and to respond to any invitations He presents to us. When we come with openness, He will show us how to flush out the application of the Word in our lives each day which will be evident in our attitude and actions and words. It’s so wonderful when we respond to someone’s anger, not with negativity but with a kind word and gesture of love. We know it is not us, but it is the Holy Spirit within us.
We were made to live with God at the center of our lives, and may we open ourselves to the Holy spirit to transform our thoughts, our actions, our words and to love the Lord with all of our being.
Challenge for today: Accept Jesus invitation to quench your thirst with His living water!
Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy
M. Robert Mulholland Jr.’s book, “The Deeper Journey,” has a wonderful prayer in Chapter 4, entitled, “Hidden with Christ in God.” “Gracious and merciful God, whose cruciform love has plumbed the depths of my false self, awaken me from the pervasive bondage of my false self and enable me through the power of your indwelling Holy Spirit to be restored to wholeness in the image of Christ. As I look into the nature of this Christ self, stir my heart to hunger and thirst for your transforming work in my life through the Holy Spirit, who with Christ lives and reigns with you. Amen.”
Men, as we deal with “the tiger in our tank” let us be thankful for the cruciform love of Christ present in the midst of our struggle. Our old, unregenerate self (the tiger), does not conform to our new self in Christ. When we enter into relationship with Christ we enter into his death (Rom. 6:3-6), but our old self dies a slow death. “Living out this reality means a deep inner acknowledgment of our false self and a radical commitment to abandon our old way of living.” Jesus’ death on our behalf is a demonstrates of God’s nature as cruciform love. By His Spirit, He enters our false self, with cruciform love, to restore us in loving union with himself. Our part is to receive his love and allow the false self to be crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:19-20).
How the false and true self relate within us is a divine mystery. “Christ dwells in the depths of our false self as the crucified one, yet at the same time as the risen Lord and our new life, the Christ life (II Cor 4:6-7 & II Cor 4:10-11).” In the cruciform experience we enter with the false self into Christ. At the core of our false self, the cross exists for us. As we embrace the cross in our false self, we release our false self to the cross, allowing our old self to be nailed to the cross, so we might raised with Christ (Rom 8:10-11, Phil 3:10-11).
Col 3:1-3 express this reality. First, the resurrection life – “you have been raised with Christ.” This gives us a new mind set – “setting our hearts and minds on things above.” Verse 3 describes this reality as beyond our natural understanding. “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Our life is now hidden with Christ and grounded with Christ in God. “In the cross God has entered the entirety of our false self and confirmed it dead and in the core of our deadness God planted Christ as the seed of new life in living union with God.”
Living in this new reality, we let go of the old and become attached to the new. Col. 3:9-ff describes this practice. “Paul reminds us that our true self is being renewed by God – it is his work not ours. Just as putting off our old nature is a matter of acknowledging its deadness and abandoning it……….. so putting on the new nature is a matter of acknowledging our life hidden with Christ in God, as we send the roots of our being deeply into God’s love for us.”
Men, our belovedness is revealed in God’s cruciform love for us in Christ. Even when we turn from God’s love and into our false self, God’s love continues to enfold us and indwell us, since his cruciform love is at the heart of our false self. “Even when we are most alienated from God…..we are still beloved.” The work is a mystery to us, but it is accomplished by our dying and be raised in Christ.
Dear Ones,
Hope you had a good weekend and are not buried in snow. We are hoping to go out with friends today for a belated birthday celebration. I also need to get to the audiologist as one of my hearing aids gave out. Makes me more aware of the gift of hearing!
Makes me more aware of the gift of hearing!Devotions from Judy’s heart
All of us have to make decisions in life and some may have to be suddenly made right at the moment. We don’t have time to mull over all the pros and cons but must react quickly. If we are people of prayer then when things happen on the spur of the moment, we will be more able to immediately discern what to do and react quickly.
Each day we make the choice if we are going to spend time with the Lord and ask Him to speak to us throughout our day. We can then more readily know what Jesus would do and how He would want us to respond to our present circumstances. I vividly remember one time when we were on our way to Michigan and all of a sudden, we approached a car from the other direction that had been hit by another car. Al’s immediate reaction was to quickly stop right there to help. Because of our speed and the car behind us, Al had to swerve, and I said to him, “Keep going!! Keep going!” If he would have suddenly stopped, we would have caused another accident; but as it was others behind us saw the trouble ahead and were able to stop in time.
The important thing for us is to be open to what the Lord would have us do and to obey. Today I read about Peter who had fished all night and caught nothing. When the Lord told him to take the boat into the deep water and lower his nets he responded, “Teacher, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But if you say so, I’ll lower the nets.” (Luke 5:5) He was not expecting the Lord to give him that directive, but he obeyed anyway and got so many fish he had to have lots of help.
Sometimes the Lord asks hard things of us and other times simple things, but our heart should prayerfully obey. I feel I have missed opportunities when I didn’t respond quickly enough, and time ran out. I want to not only hear but to be quick to obey.
Challenge for today: Don’t do anything without God and be open to listen and obey.
Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy
Recent Comments