Devotions from the Road of Life

Faithful servants rebuilding: St. Joseph's Abbey and Seminary in Covington, LA

2016-08-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33, King James Version

Tribulation is something the Benedictine monks of St. Joseph’s Abbey and Seminary near Covington, LA understand. The facility has overcome disaster before, including a devastating fire in 1906-07 and a flood in 1927. They persevere and overcome, in God’s name. This year, however, brought something brutal to the tranquil buildings and grounds.

On March 11, 2016, a flood rolled over the campus as the nearby Bogue Falaya inundated the surrounding area. Every building was damaged in some way, but none of the students or staff was injured. Restoration work goes on and no tour visitors are allowed on campus at present. Damages loss estimates have topped $30 million and the Abbey had no flood insurance. No flood since 1927 had damaged the property.

The sanctuary before the flood

The beautiful church building, the seminary classrooms and housing, the Retreat Center, the Gift Shop – all the buildings suffered damage to one degree or another. None of the priceless art work of the Abbey was destroyed, but immediate conservation efforts kicked in to prevent damage from the standing water. The raised sanctuary was not damaged, but the lower level (which housed the physical plant for the church) was heavily damaged and required extensive renovations before the church could reopen for public services on June 19.

Another view of the church before the flood

Loaves cooling in the bakeshop before the flood

The volunteer-staffed ministries of the Abbey suffered, too. The Pennies for Bread bakeshop once baked a thousand loaves a week to distribute to indigent ministries across the area. The woodworking shop built caskets for the monks of the Abbey as well as by order for others. The apiary ministry boasted twenty hives and honey produced by the hives was sold in the Gift Shop.

Pre-flood bee hives

Most of the bee hives were destroyed, but beekeeper Jeff Horchoff has begun rebuilding the program with bee swarms captured from other locations. Anyone with a swarm which needs relocation can contact him and he will remove the swarm, relocating it to the Abbey grounds. Horchoff was able to recover many of the physical hive parts when the waters receded, enabling him to provide new homes for the captured swarms. Donations came from many directions, including a school group, to help repair and replace hives, too.

Woodworking shop before the flood

All of the equipment in the woodworking shop and bakery requires extensive cleaning and testing before either of the programs can begin operations again. Electricity powers most of the tools; any undiscovered damage could prove catastrophic. The bake shop has not resumed activity yet. The woodworking shop came back on line several weeks after the flood.

I had the privilege of visiting St. Joseph’s a week before the flood. I saw the ministries at work and had a chance to worship in the beautiful church. Reports of the flooding and damage brought tears of sorrow, even as I rejoiced that no lives had been lost. The deeply rooted faith and commitment to Christian service which I witnessed during my visit will bring the facility back even stronger than it was. I can’t wait to see what God will do through them next.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.” Isaiah 61:3-4, King James Version

The ministries of St. Joseph’s Abbey and Seminary have been dealt a setback, but will return as the restoration is completed. Modular classrooms will house the students when they return for the autumn sessions. Tours will resume on September 1. St. Joseph's overcomes through faith and diligent effort.

To donate to the rebuilding efforts, go to http://www.saintjosephabbey.com/donate. To view photos of the flooding and recovery efforts, go to http://www.saintjosephabbey.com/abbey-flood-response.

A God-brokered truce for the war in my heart

2014-08-06T10:57:00.000-07:00

War of the Heart

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, KJV

The growing season always brings me to crisis. The country girl side of my heart wants to be out in the garden, planting, weeding and harvesting, as the season demands. The writer’s part says “you should be working. You have articles to get done, another book to write, research to chase down.”

Dithering about which to do would use the time, but gain nothing. “No decision” becomes a decision of its own. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” says the writer of Ecclesiastes. My problem becomes, what should my purpose be right now?

Recently, I came to understand that the strange dichotomy of my intentions wasn't so terrible a dilemma as I thought. I could attain both goals if only I planned my choices.

Here's what I discovered: as I perform the manual tasks in the garden, my brain can be off outlining an article, working on dialogue, or blocking out the action of a chapter. The aroma of freshly turned earth or the pungent scent of thinned greenery can provide the background for thinking through a tough scene. While I stir the bubbling pot of future jam, I can test a rhyme scheme or meter. If necessary, I can tuck my digital recorder into my shirt pocket and dictate my thoughts for later transcription as I perform some non-writing task.

Later, while the seeds sprout or the jam cools, I can put my thoughts to paper. What I write when I do sit down holds the potential to be better organized than if I had begun with a blank page in front of me hours earlier. My time at the keyboard becomes more productive, even as the pantry gets filled.

I think of the outcome as a negotiated truce. There will still be times when my heart yearns for whichever activity I'm not engaged in at the moment. But now I can comfort myself with the fact that I am both a country girl and a writer, and the two activities aren't mutually exclusive. There is indeed a time to every purpose.

Father, thank You for a time for everything. Help me to find joy in doing things in Your time, and please grant me the wisdom to understand when the time is right. Amen.

Previously published here on Examiner.com.

The Wall Around My Heart

2013-10-15T11:49:00.001-07:00

Author Mary DeMuth released a new book, entitled "The Wall Around Your Heart: How Jesus Heals You When Others Hurt You." Her book inspired my devotional poem. You can hear me read it here.

I thought to keep me safe from pain.

The walls I built stood tall and strong.

Within, I listened to the rain

And sang, alone, my aching song.

With none to disappoint my hopes

And none to strike the heart of me,

I labeled those who cared as dopes.

They forged their chains, but I was free!

One day, a songbird breached the wall

And sang of joy and love and peace.

Each note broke stones. I watched them fall.

My panic grew with each release.

I peered out through the breached rampart,

Afraid of what might wait outside.

He waited there – with loving heart –

Until I learned that all I tried

Could not protect or heal or win.

At best, I only “saved” myself

From feeling joy and love within.

My heart would not stay on the shelf.

The love of Him who loved me first

O’erwhelmed the threat of hurt and pain.

With peace, He quenched my fearful thirst.

And brought me from my walls again.

My freedom comes from Jesus’ love

And gives me leave to love you, too.

Receive His joy, sent from above

To find the freedom meant for you.

Looking for Comfort in a Time of Loss

2013-10-13T10:05:00.000-07:00

As you face this loss, those around you have trouble knowing what to say. We want to offer you words of comfort and condolence, to make this trauma easier for you. We just don’t always know how.

I wish I could tell you that everything will be fine and normal.

The truth is, things will never be the same again.

I wish I could tell you that the hurt will go away.

The truth is, the pain will ease but the scar will not vanish.

I wish I could tell you that I knew why this happened.

The truth is, I don’t but I know Who does.

Read more here.

Raining love?: Devotions from the Road of Life

2013-08-09T12:44:00.000-07:00

“The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.” Deuteronomy 28: 12, King James Version

The rain pours right now, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling in a full-out Southern thunderstorm. The results of the rain will be growth and blossoming for the plants, nourishment for livestock and replenishment for rivers, streams and reservoirs. The temperature drops a few degrees, a pleasant change on a hot August day.

As heaven pours out its gift of life-giving water, I can’t help but wonder what I pour out on those around me. Am I covering others in God’s love, refreshing them with a reminder of his ever-present care? Or am I spilling out anger and vitriol, doing more of Satan’s work than the Lord’s?

How easily I find myself falling into that particular ugly puddle of wickedness! If I take my eyes off the King, how quickly the world jumps up to fill my vision. He has promised His nourishing rain, but too often I put up an umbrella and divert His love. I must make a concentrated effort to focus on His will and His work if I am to spread His love.

What are you spreading to those around you? Do you rain love or anger, encouragement or destruction?

Father, I thank You for the blessing of rain to replenish, refresh and nourish the world. Help me to be Your rain to others, spreading Your love to all I encounter. Amen.

Thunder and Lightning - Devotions from the Road of Life

2013-07-24T06:44:00.000-07:00

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5: 1-18, KJV

Thunder rattled the house, and the little girl shrieked. Her ear-piercing yell sounded for long seconds after the thunder faded, but her panicked look remained.

“Why are you yelling?” I asked. “The thunder won’t hurt you.” We had tried the “angels bowling in heaven and one of them got a strike” routine in the past, to no avail. She still emitted a shrill scream whenever she heard thunder.

“But it’s so loud,” she explained. “It scares me because it’s so loud.”

I sent a quick prayer for guidance heavenward. At five years of age, she was impressionable and I didn’t want to cause any problems or needless fear for her. An intelligent child, she is very curious and with a bent toward science.

“What do you know about what causes thunder?” I asked.

“Lightning flashes and makes the thunder boom.”

“That’s right. So if you hear the thunder, you know that the lightning bolt is past. The lightning is what can hurt you. The thunder can’t. So how about when you hear the thunder, you say ‘Thank you, Lord’ to let Jesus know you appreciate him keeping you safe?”

She thought about the situation for a moment.

“I’ll try,” she agreed. Sure enough, although she jumped with the next big boom, she gave thanks instead of screaming. Then she turned to me with a big smile.

“I like that better,” she said.

Too often, we let the noise of the world drown out the love that God sends us. We react to the situation, not the Creator. When that happens, we miss the opportunity to praise Him for bringing us through the situation. Maybe we should stop yelling and start thanking.

Months later, she is still thanking Him instead of shrieking.

I’ll bet Jesus likes that better, too.

Father, thank You for Your love. Thank You for the natural phenomena you’ve set into place. Help us to remember to praise You in everything and give thanks for Your goodness in all circumstances. You are sovereign. You are righteous. You are our loving Father. Amen.

Washed in His Mercy - Devotions from the Road of Life

2013-07-09T12:49:00.001-07:00

“It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-26 (King James Version)

The waves roll in at Waveland, MS

A recent visit to the beach reminded me of the everlasting faithfulness of God. I watched as wave after wave came to shore, and I couldn’t help but think that those waves were a lot like the way God comes to us.

With wave after wave of love, He beckons us. He sends wave after wave of forgiveness to wash over us. And like the never-ending song of the waves against the sand, He calls us to come home to Him.

Just as I would never be able to drink the all the water of the ocean, I can never use up all of God’s goodness. As the writer of Lamentations says, His compassions fail not and are new every morning. Like the inexorable turning of the tide, His mercies are unstoppable.

We have a choice: Do we run away from the inbound waves or do we plunge into the refreshing waters of His love? The water is there, whether we go to it or stay away. His love is there, too. All we have to do is wade out into its depths to enjoy the refreshment and renewal awaiting us there.

Father, we thank You for the unending love You send to us. Remind us to plunge into Your loving care, that we may be buoyed by Your love at all times. The world cannot sink us if we rest on Your waves of salvation.

Author Denise Hildreth Jones shares a guest post to encourage you: The Performing Heart

2013-05-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Denise Hildreth Jones, with another guest post related to her new book, "Reclaiming Your Heart."

I slipped the dress on one item at a time. The group of women who had gathered for our annual VBS for Women event sat staring wide eyed. As I slipped on the skirt I described how the legalistic environment I had grown up in had been a piece in shutting down my heart.

As I slipped on the blouse, (all over the clothing I already had on), I shared how losing my dream of becoming a Christian singer shut down another piece of my heart. As I slipped on the matching hat, (Oh
yeah, sister had it going on) I shared how I had lost even more of my heart in my thirteen year marriage.

As I stood up there in an outfit ready for high-tea with the queen, I let them know that this was a picture of the performer I had become. With my shut-down heart I had created a persona that only let people see what I wanted them to see. The bad and grizzly and sad, well I kept all of that to myself.

The performing heart believes the lie that God hasn’t made us enough. Our story isn’t pretty enough. Our story isn’t fancy enough. Our story well…isn’t enough. And so we put on our shiny shoes and snazzy hat and write our own story. I didn’t want people to know my pain. I didn’t want people to see my tears. I just wanted them to think that I had it altogether. And oh the sadness in that lie.

God has never needed us to have it altogether. But He requires us to accept the story He has written and continues to write for us. Why? Because He is the ultimate Author. He is even called “The Author and Finisher.”

The prophet Isaiah wrote “Does a book say to its author, ‘He didn’t write a word of me’? Does a meal say to the woman who cooked it, ‘She had nothing to do with this’”? And yet that is what the performing heart does every day. And it is a sin. Yes, sad to say but it is a sin.

And in order for our hearts to be reclaimed we have to own that sin. Repent of it. And then go on the quest to reclaim our heart. Reclaiming the performing heart starts by owning our story. So, I encourage you today to do two things in these next few weeks. Write down your story. All of it. Even the parts that you wish weren’t a part of it. And then tell your story to a person you trust with your heart. All of it.

There is such freedom when we own truth and bring those things in the dark into the light.

Remember, no one chapter is the whole of your story. It is and always will be simply a piece…there is much left to write.

And you can trust The Author…

Watch Denise's video here.

Devotions from the Road of Life: I'm Dirt!

2013-05-29T09:40:00.002-07:00

"In the parable of the sowers, Jesus talks about the different kinds of soil and how sown seed responds to it. I've come to realize that at one time or another, I've been all of the kinds of dirt Jesus describes.

Sometimes, I'm the rocky soil that doesn't provide a deep enough medium for the Word to thrive. I hear the lesson, I agree with the lesson but I don't do anything to nurture the Word in my life. It sprouts, then fails--a victim of my neglect."

Read more of this devotion and view the slideshow here.

Guest post from Denise Hildreth Jones: The Weary Heart

2013-05-08T10:42:00.002-07:00

Please welcome my guest blogger Denise Hildreth Jones, author of "Reclaiming Your Heart."

Running beneath a rain of birdseed, my husband opened the passenger door for me to climb inside as we started our life together. I grabbed the hem of my hand crocheted wedding dress that was over twenty years old and nestled myself into the seat. Laughter bounced through the air and love was almost touchable. My new groom climbed in beside me and in a moment a question came from the back seat. I looked back into the faces of five kiddos, who in one moment had all landed me in the new role of bonus-mom.

At the age of forty, having never had children of my own, I’d quickly come to discover that I had just entered a world as breathtaking as trying to drink water from a fire-hydrant. I quickly delved into my new role of wife and bonus-mom. We didn’t have the kids all the time, so I still had time for ministry and writing responsibilities, but the new schedule of five kids all with activities, couponing (one trip to the
grocery store gave me that revelation!), car-pooling and top chef, and it wasn’t long before I was weary. Bone weary.

A few years before I had found myself on the other side of a heartbreaking divorce. My heart was painfully shut down. I had shut down my voice. I had shut down my desires. I had shut down my dreams. I had shut down in fear, in anger, in disappointment, in performance. I had handed my heart over to a lie. And in the process, that beautiful, God-designed heart that had been created inside of me was a shut-down shell of the “abundant life” God had offered.

After that divorce I went on a desperate search for my heart. I reclaimed it in its deepest places. And then came my new family. The stress of navigating five hurting hearts. The new schedule. The old pains being pricked with the new intimacy that marriage inevitably brings. And a year and a half into bonus-momdom I had realized that I was on the verge of shutting down again in weariness if I didn’t grab a hold and do something different.

I was believing the lie of the weary heart that says, “God needs me.” God needs me to car pool these children. God needs me to coupon to save money, because to do anything else would be irresponsible. God needs me…and the list goes on.

And in that lie, I realized I was about to shut down all over again. But I heard God remind me, “Take my yoke upon you. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” It was His yoke. He didn’t need me. He desired to use me, but He did not need me. And in that revelation I began to let go of a few things in order to give my kids the best of me. Something that might seem selfish actually ended up being selfless.

We can all shut down our hearts. In fact, some of us haven’t seen our real hearts in so long we wouldn’t even know what they looked like. Remember, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.” But there is more to that Scripture, “But, I have come that you might have life and have it to the full!”

Friends, take heart. Yours. And do a heart check. Are you living life to the full? Or has living shut your heart down? Goddoesn’t need you. But oh how He desires to use you…

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxeN5BU-TxE

Thankful for new mercies every day

2012-11-20T14:58:00.001-08:00

^“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3: 21-26, King James Version

This morning I awoke to one of those glorious autumn mornings that I love so much. I went outside to temperatures in the mid-50s, a bright blue sky with a scattering of interesting clouds and a hint of someone burning logs in their fireplace on the air. South Mississippi had its best fall attitude in place, promising a beautiful Thanksgiving.

His mercies are new every morning...

Read the rest of this devotion here.

Holding to hope in the face of tragedy

2012-07-20T13:52:00.001-07:00

"Today we grieve another horror, another atrocity. The shootings in a suburban Denver theater strike another blow at our faith, seeking to discourage us and turn us away from the hope we have in God. There are no words that can take away the pain of the loss of a loved one. Only the comfort of knowing that we shall see them again can help us get through the sorrow."

Read more here.

Easter's Epic - Three Days that Changed the World

2012-04-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

"Only three days at the end of a young man's earthly life, but those three days changed everything for everyone."

Read more here.

Musing on Easter - the Price and the Prize

2012-04-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

"This time of year always finds me in an emotional turmoil. Getting through the week before Easter is like taking a roller coaster ride through the landscape of some other world. I go up, I come down, I go up again.

My biggest hurdle is getting through to Easter Sunday without crying my eyes out. Thinking about what Christ went through on my behalf is alternately humiliating and exhilarating. I am ashamed to have caused Him such suffering. I am so lifted by the knowledge that He loved me that much. I grieve for what He suffered, all the while celebrating what He did. Talk about giving yourself a schizophrenic dilemma!"

Click here to read more.

The Return of Ben-Hur - Devotions from the Road of Life

2012-03-26T08:26:00.000-07:00

"Buying the DVD of 'Ben-Hur' was a guilty pleasure. Watching it was a reminder of the power of God's love and the cost of hate."

Read more here.

Lessons Learned from Whitney Houston - Devotions from the Road of Life

2012-02-28T21:30:00.000-08:00

"The late Whitney Houston had a powerful voice, great family lineage and some very human problems. Like all of us, she was imperfect. Like all of us, she made mistakes. And all of us can learn something from her. Here are some of the lessons I've learned."

Click here to read more.

Love One Another - Devotions from the Road of Life

2012-02-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

"Ah, Valentine’s Day. Candy and greeting cards and disappointment…

For every person thrilled by the gift chosen for them, someone else is grieving the hardheartedness of their spouse/significant other in just coming up with candy and a card. Sad, isn’t it?"

Read more here.

Rein in Your Tongue - Devotions from the Road of Life

2012-01-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

"The New Testament book of James offers a lot of teaching in a small volume. In only five chapters, James discusses how to achieve the goal of leading a Christian lifestyle. For example, he urges us to 'be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.' (James 1:19-20)

Much of the third chapter deals with the importance of Christians controlling their tongues and speaking in an appropriate manner. For a piece of tissue that weighs only a couple of ounces, the tongue wields great power."
Read more here.

Blinded by the Past - Devotions from the Road of Life

2012-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

"When I worked as a home-health care provider many years ago, I would sometimes be astounded by how impatient family members could be with an elderly parent or grandparent. How could they be so short-tempered with that sweet little old person? Recently, I think I gained some insight into their behavior."

Click here to read more.

Getting a Handel on Christmas - Devotions from the Road of Life

2011-12-20T21:07:00.000-08:00

"Christmas was near as daddy and I attended a dinner program on the campus of the New Orleans Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I don't remember much about the dinner or the program - after all, I was just a child reveling in the joy of being with my dad at a grown-up event - but I remember the end of the evening vividly."

Read more here.

A Christmas Heart - Devotions from the Road of Life

2011-12-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

"Is Christmas a day, a season or a way of life? Can you change the way you prioritize it?

Lord, help me keep a Christmas heart-
A heart that holds the season dear..."

Click here for more.

Thanksgiving Meditation

2011-11-19T16:48:00.000-08:00

"As we approach Thanksgiving, let us remember not only the physical things God gives us, but also the second chances and fresh starts He offers. Most of all, let us remember the greatest Gift of all, His Son.

Father, please accept our meager thanks and keep us in a grateful spirit every day. When we get so busy that we forget to say the words, may You find them inscribed on our hearts in praise for You."

Thank you for clicking here to read more.

Autumn's Gems - Devotions from the Road of Life

2011-11-03T21:41:00.000-07:00

"Ecclesiastes reminds us that 'to everything there is a season.' As the season of autumn surrounds us, we have an opportunity to sample a tiny bit of God's riches through the gems of His creation."

Click here for the rest of the article.

Training the Next Generation-Devotions from the Road of Life

2011-10-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

"I know that Father's Day is a few months past, but lately I've found myself dwelling on the subject of fatherhood and parenting in general. A couple of things have honed my focus.

The first is the latest movie from Sherwood Productions, 'Courageous.'"

Read more here.

'God Bless You': Offended by God - Devotions from the Road of Life

2011-10-10T17:34:00.000-07:00

"A recent news story related the uproar caused by a teacher banning the phrase 'God bless you' following a sneeze. He lowered students’ grades and generally seems to feel that a sneeze is a bad enough disturbance without the addition of a phrase following it. Later reports indicated that the class in question was using the blessing to deliberately cause a disruption, a sad indictment of the faith level of those students."

Claim or Shame? Which Best Describes Your Attitude Toward God? Read more here.