Lent - Day 42

Lent - Day 42

from ecotheo.org

Johnny Myreng Henriksen via Flickr, some rights reserved CC BY

ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD

In this Holy Week, EnviroLent returns to song. All Creatures of our God and King was penned by Saint Francis of Assisi. 1 Francis rejected his affluent upbringing, instead choosing a life of poverty and reliance on God. The order that formed out of his conversion, the Franciscans, is a mendicant order (that is, a begging order). This means they are reliant on the generosity of others (unlike, say, the Benedictines who establish a sustainable economy as part of their monastic tradition).

St. Francis is also commonly known as the patron saint of animals and ecology. It’s not uncommon to find a statue of Francis in gardens around the world. His focus on creation shines through in the hymn for today, which he penned in the 13th century.

Lyrics

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!



Thou rushing wind that art so strong

Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,

Ye lights of evening, find a voice!

Refrain

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,

Make music for thy Lord to hear,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou fire so masterful and bright,

That givest man both warmth and light.

Refrain

Dear mother earth, who day by day

Unfoldest blessings on our way,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,

Let them His glory also show.

Refrain

And all ye men of tender heart,

Forgiving others, take your part,

O sing ye! Alleluia!

Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,

Praise God and on Him cast your care!

Refrain

And thou most kind and gentle Death,

Waiting to hush our latest breath,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Thou leadest home the child of God,

And Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

Refrain

Let all things their Creator bless,

And worship Him in humbleness,

O praise Him! Alleluia!

Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,

And praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Refrain

Questions & Actions

• First, just listen to the song. Then, read the lyrics as you listen again. What from this song strikes you? What natural images capture your attention?
• Take a moment and read the Canticle of Brother Sun, the original source of this song. What differences do you notice? Do you think these are significant?
• Take a field trip. Load up this song and head to your favorite spot (or favorite view out a window, depending on the weather). Sit in contemplation of how God’s Spirit permeates all that you behold.

Notes:
In its original form, it was called the Canticle of Brother Sun (or some variation on that). You can find the a translation of that text here. ↩

Lent - Day 41

Lent - Day 41

from biblegateway.com

Jesus the Servant

Today’s Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 42:1-9

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen one in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
    and he will bring justice to the nations.
He will not shout or cry out,
    or raise his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
    he will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

This is what God the Lord says—
the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out,
    who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it,
    who gives breath to its people,
    and life to those who walk on it:
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;
    I will take hold of your hand.
I will keep you and will make you
    to be a covenant for the people
    and a light for the Gentiles,
to open eyes that are blind,
    to free captives from prison
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

“I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not yield my glory to another
    or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
    and new things I declare;
before they spring into being
    I announce them to you.”

Today’s New Testament Reading: John 12:1-11

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Lent - Day 40

Lent - Day 40

excerpt from Living Well through Lent 2015
by The RT. Rev. Laura J. Ahrens
Bishop Suffragan, Episcopal Church of Connecticut

Palm Sunday: Seeking with Faith

SWF: Looking for an apartment? Looking for a life partner? The acronym SWF often appears as shorthand for Single White Female.  Recently, my prayer time has put those initials on my heart in a different way: Seeking with Faith.  It's a posture I have adopted as I seek to explore new and life-giving ways to participation God's mission. God is up to something exciting and energizing as we join with God in ministries of restoration and reconciliation. God invites us to seek innovative and transformational ways to share the love of God. I believe stepping out into this unchartered sea of God's mission field to share God's love in word and action is the most faithful step I  can take. Seeking with Faith.

What does this have to do with Palm Sunday? Everything. Those early disciples were also SWF -- Seeking with Faith. They, like me, sometimes forgot the seeking part, instead stepping back into familiar patterns. They, like me, sometimes forget the faith part, instead putting themselves first, not looking to the heart of God as the source of comfort, strength and guidance. Hosanna. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. This is the fun part, the good days, the easy days. As the world around us watches, our energy invites others to inquisitively wonder what we are about. But then comes...the garden, the sleeping while promising to e watchful, and the denial.  Seeking?  Faithful?

There is Jesus in the garden seeking with faith in his prayer, seeking with faith to let the scriptures be fulfilled.

I see him seeking me, seeking me with faith that I will follow him and share his offering with the world -- for God, for the people of God, for the world. Seeking with Faith. God is seeking me with Faith. How shall I respond? SWF.

Lent - Day 39

Lent - Day 39

from Living Well through Lent 2015

Living Well in Thought, Word, and Deed

Take time today to reflect on what you have read and experienced this week. What thoughts or insights have you had? Did you have a word or a conversation with someone -- or with God -- that stands out? Is there something you did this week that you would like to continue?

Reflect on your weekly resilience practice of letting go How is that going for you? Have you become aware of anything of which you need to let go? Is there a thought, word, or deed relating to letting go that you wish to note and carry forward?

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From Duane: I have had a "Let it go" theme at work for the past 18 months or so. I even placed a Postit note on my monitor with those words to remind me! It is so easy in this life to get caught up in being right or judging others that we must "let it go" to be the kind of person our God wants us to be!

Lent - Day 38

Lent - Day 38

from Biblegateway.com

Preparing

Today’s Prayer

Let your mighty hand and outstretched arm, O Lord, be our defense;
Your mercy and loving-kindness in Jesus Christ, your dear Son, our salvation;
Your true and holy word our instruction;
Your grace and Holy Spirit our comfort and consolation,
Until the end and in the end. — John Knox, Scottish reformer (1510 - 1572)

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:11-16

Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
    you who are God my Savior,
    and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

Today’s Quote

"We must come before God in silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offenses that we have committed. We come clothed in shame, confessing that we are lost, that God might save us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it is completely beyond our powers to acquit ourselves in the eyes of God. But he comes to our aid; he does not scrutinize us or enter into account with us. When we have offended him, there is no satisfaction for sin other than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way we can be cleansed is to wash ourselves in his blood." — John Calvin, "Freedom from the Bondage of the Law"

Something to Think About

Did you make a commitment to do (or refrain from) a particular activity during Lent? How have you done so far? Whether or not you've kept up with your commitment, what have you learned from the experience?

Lent - Day 37

Lent - Day 37

from ecotheo.org

Starburst, Tom Barnes, all rights reserved

GOD THE SUSTAINER

BY THE ECOTHEO REVIEW  BLOG, ENVIROLENTMARCH 25, 2015

"These all look to you 
to give them their food in due season;

when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground."

Psalm 104:27-30

As we near the end of EnviroLent we approach the end of Psalm 104, with just vv. 31-35 left for next week. The psalm began with declarations of God’s role in creating the world, “You set the earth on its foundations, so that it shall never be shaken” (Psalm 104:5). From there the psalmist then recounted the many ways in which God has provided habitats and provisions for all creatures through creation’s gifts, “You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal; the wild asses quench their thirst” (Psalm 104:10-11).

Our verses for today continue this theme of God and creation’s provision, stepping back from the individual examples of earlier verses to uncover a broader truth: God is sustainer. The psalmist surveyed creation and saw its beauty, witnessing the myriad of ways in which it provides abundantly for all life forms. Now the psalmist turns to God who stands behind it all, “These all look to you to give them their food in due season; when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things” (Psalm 104:27-28).

The following verse, “When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust” (Psalm 104:29), does not stand as a threat but rather a reminder: we should never take these gifts for granted. Unfortunately, in this day and age it is all too easy to forget these things. Most folks can hop into a car, drive a few short miles, walk into a grocery store, and have whatever food they happen to be in the mood for at the time. This ease of access hides the actual processes and costs beneath cheap and accessible food. The reality of provision is lost.

Our passage today ends with the statement, “When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground” (Psalm 104:30). God is both Sustainer and Creator. The Lenten theme of humanity’s fragility and mortality resounds once again. We are reoriented toward God and away from any false sense of autonomy. We are called to turn from abuse and greed of creation’s gifts that it may prosper, offering provisions to all of God’s creatures.

By William Wellman, ecotheo.org staff

Questions & Actions

• Read through the entirety of Psalm 104 and take note of the many ways the psalmist sees God at work in providing for the world and its creatures. Where do you see God’s provisions in your life? Where do you see God’s provisions in the world around you?
• What distracts you from acknowledging the source of creation’s gifts? What are some ways you can overcome these distractions?
• Next week is Holy Week, in preparation for this read John 5:17 and Colossians 1:15-20–think over its connection to Psalm 104, particularly today’s passage.

Lent - Day 36

Lent - Day 36

from biblegateway.com Lent devotionals

Written On Our Hearts

Today’s Prayer

O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

Today’s Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 31:31-34

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
    “when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
    and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
    I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
    to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
    though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more.”

Today’s Quote

"I slew him—this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." - adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon

Something to Think About

The Spurgeon quote above echoes the sentiments of the famous Easter hymn "Ah, Holy Jesus" in claiming that we, today, bear responsibility for Jesus' death. Is this true? How so?

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from Duane: There are a lot of theories about the question in the Something to Think About section. I used to believe that we all bear responsibilility, but I don't believe that any longer. I believe that God gave us the gift of his Son to show us the way to live. Jesus chose to die as a sacrifice for mankind (no one "killed" him). It is the most wonderful gift of all.

Lent - Day 35

Lent - Day 35

from ecotheo.org

Markus Trienke via Flickr, some rights reserved CC BY SA

SNOW

BY THE ECOTHEO REVIEW  ENVIROLENTMARCH 23, 2015

If God is really at the center of things…. then…buck the dominant consequentialist ethic of our age–which says that we should act only if our action will most likely bring about good consequences–and simply, because we are people who embody the virtue of hope, do the right thing….. We should fulfill our calling to be caretakers of the earth regardless of whether global warming is real or there are holes in the ozone layer or three nonhuman species become extinct each day.

- Steven Bouma-Prediger from For the Creation of the Earth

I look outside at the falling snow, perhaps the last snow this season.  Snow in Scripture represents the ultimate cleansing of our sin through our Lord Jesus Christ’s blood. His blood–such a beautiful thing and yet such a grotesque and bitter means of salvation.

In creation, snow is the blanket that wraps the hills and trees; making them both warm and beautiful. Yet when our warm bodies touch the white, we feel cold and damp.  We wake up delighted to see it covering the land, yet hesitate to journey out in it.

Our experience with snow in many ways is a microcosm of our experience with nature: A great beauty with power and death in its nature.

In reflecting on nature; we reflect on ourselves.  Created in God’s image we are beautiful, a delight to our maker and full of potential good. But we turned from the Creator towards ourselves; and in so doing have taken the power of our creation and turned it to the propagation of death.

In moments of clarity we see both nature’s true beauty and the blight we inexorably bring upon it in the delight of our inherent materialism. Like us, this world is dying. We need our Creator not just to redeem us; but to give us a new self.

Much of the Lenten season is used for us to reflect upon our need for Christ and his sacrifice in preparation for Easter.  In our fallen state we might think there is no good that can come of our lives. It can be tempting to look at this Earth and only see it descending into destruction.  Yet even as all this is true (for we have much power in destruction but very little in restoration) we must not give up all hope.  We can seek God’s power to bring restoration in our lives and ask him for vision on how we can care for this place we corrupt.

Let us place hope in Christ’s near return. Let us take pleasure in this beautiful place we experience. The Lord has shown us the good that we can do in our present circumstance: to act justly, to love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

By Wesley Tamkin

Reflection and Prayer

Micah 7:18-19 (NIV)

Who is a God like you,

who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

of the remnant of his inheritance?

You do not stay angry forever

but delight to show mercy.

You will again have compassion on us;

you will tread our sins underfoot

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
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From Duane: Te picture above looks like Central Ohio this morning after we received two inches of "Spring snow". Winter is not over yet, but there is hope. Just like the Easter season!

Lent - Day 34

Lent - Day 34

from biblegateway.com

We Are Sinners

Today’s Prayer

God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

— The tax collector in Luke 18, who in his awareness of his own sin would not even look up to heaven as he prayed

Today’s Scripture Reading: John 12:20-33

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Today’s Quote

"My life afrights me. For when carefully reviewed, its whole course shows in my sight like one great sin; or at least it is well-nigh nothing but barrenness. Or, if any fruit is seen in it, that fruit is so false, or so imperfect, or in some way or other so tainted with decay and corruption, that it must needs either fail to satisfy God, or else utterly offend Him." -Anselm

Something to Think About

All of us have sinned—if we were without sin, Jesus' sacrifice would not have been necessary to assure us a relationship with God. This week, take time to identify the temptations and sins that you struggle with. Are there unconfessed sins in your life that you need to bring before Jesus?

Lent - Day 33

Lent - Day 33

from Living Well through Lent 2015
Living Compass Faith & Wellness Ministry

Persevering in the Face of Resistance

My friend Teddy keeps a rather depressing calendar. "Today's day 408," he'll mention in a hushed tone when I bump into him around town. He's counting to 730. That's two years. Two years to mark the anniversary of his daughter Sarah's death from a rare heart disease. Teddy says that, after two years, he will give himself permission to go to the next level of letting go. On her two year anniversary will come a new normal in which the sting of Sarah's death will further dissipate and a deeper "settling in" will appear.

Until then, it's day 408. 322 more days to go.

If resilience is the ability to deflect things like trauma, change, stress, etc., then perseverance is the ability to push through them. And as we move into this fifth week of Lent, consider the witness of Jesus as one of Perseverance -- as one whose ability to push through resistance offers us hope and strength to plow through the muck in our lives.

Resistance, then, can also be used as one of life's great validators. Encountering resistance can be a sign we're on the right track. When the sit-ups hurt, apologizing ups our blood pressure, and thoughts of insecurity emerge while taking the stage on open mic night, we hae one more reason to believe we're in the right place and doing the right thing.

So where are you finding resistance? How is God using it? And how are you tapping into and witnessing God's help?

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from Duane: I kept thinking of the Lego Movie when I read the resistance part. It still applies!  LOL

Lent - Day 32

Lent - Day 32

from Ecotheo.org

Chris Isherwood via Flickr, some rights reserved CC BY SA

TO USHER IN COMMUNION AND LIFE

BY THE ECOTHEO REVIEW  ENVIROLENTMARCH 21, 2015

O God, who cares for both individual souls and the whole creation, we bring our lament for the broken communion between you, our neighbors, and the world. We confess that we are more apt to be selfish in our ways rather than thoughtful and loving. O Lord, we long for a world where we act more like your Son, who ushers in — not death and alienation, but — resurrection and life. May the work that we do and the lives that we live bring that day closer. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

A prayer of confession from the Au Sable Graduate Fellows

Questions & Activities

• How does this prayer resonate with you?
• During Lent we seek to remember our own mortality. In prayer, alone and in community, we follow Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and the events that unfold there. Yet, we are also called to remember, that Christ came, ultimately, to bring life and communion. Jesus’ path entailed his death but it did not end there, instead bringing about communion and new life. As we near the end of winter, think about creation’s cycle through death to life. Additionally, think about how various parts of creation commune together to create new life? How can we seek to be bearers of life and communion?
• Write your own prayer of confession around the theme of ushering in life and communion. It may look something like this: O God, who created the world in love and works to sustain it through grace, we bring our lament for [how do you lament your own failure to commune with the world around you]. We confess [what are some ways we are culpable for death and alienation?]. O Lord, we long for a world [what is your hope for change?]. May the work we do and the lives we live bring that day closer. Amen.

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From Duane: We have been writing collects (prayers) in my EFM class the last two months. It has been fun and eye opening. I haven't written a prayer of confession yet, so I tried one below. I borrowed some phrases from the Book of Common Prayer that I like reading each week in church.

Dear God of Love and Forgiveness
You know our hearts and minds.
We pray that open our eyes to our sins, known and unknown, and things we've done and left undone
So that we repent and better serve you and our neighbors.
Amen

Lent - Day 31

Lent - Day 31

from biblegateway.com

A Faith That Purifies

Today’s Prayer

We come, O Christ to you, true Son of God and man,
By whom all things consist, in whom all life began.
In you alone we live and move, and have our being in your love.

You are the Way to God, your blood our ransom paid;
In you we face our Judge and Maker unafraid.
Before the throne absolved we stand, your love has met your law's demand.

— "We Come O Christ To You." Learn more about this and other hymns at songsandhymns.org

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 122

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord—
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.

Today’s Quote

"Our faith then must be different from the faith of devils. For our faith purifies the heart; but their faith makes them guilty. For they do wickedly, and therefore say they to the Lord, "What have we to do with You?" When you hear the devils say this, do you think that they do not acknowledge Him? "We know," they say, "who You are: You are the Son of God." This Peter says, and is commended; the devil says it, and is condemned. Whence comes this, but that though the words be the same, the heart is different? Let us then make a distinction in our faith, and not be content to believe. This is no such faith as purifies the heart. "Purifying their hearts," it is said, "by faith." But by what, and what kind of faith, save that which the Apostle Paul defines when he says, "Faith which works by love." That faith distinguishes us from the faith of devils, and from the infamous and abandoned conduct of men. "Faith," he says. What faith? "That which works by love," and which hopes for what God does promise. Nothing is more exact or perfect than this definition." — Augustine

Something to Think About

Think about your words and actions over this last week. Is the fruit of faith evident in them? What can you do today to put your faith into action, and communicate Christlike love to somebody in your life?

direct link

Lent - Day 30

Lent - Day 30

from ecotheo.org

IMPRESSIONS OF LIGHT AND COLOR

Japanese Bridge and Water Lillies,Monet

The painting of Claude Monet is representative of the impressionist movement in art. The name comes from the movements desire to capture the sheer impression of a moment, and everyday kind of moment, through vivid use of color and light. The results often seem to transform the everyday into the ethereal.

Questions & Actions

• As usual, take some time to observe Monet’s painting above. (Or better yet, if you’re in the Princeton, New Jersey area, stop by the free Princeton University Art Museum and see it in person). What do you notice? What mood does it evoke in you? Take a moment and allow the painting to be a starting point for prayer.
• The impressionist focus on the things of modern life is an interesting one. In their focus on color and light, the world around is transformed–it glows and comes alive. Perhaps there is something we can learn from this? Today, try to view the world around you as an impressionist. Look for light and color. Let the surprising beauty of the every-day world that surrounds you catch you today for a bit.
• Take your own stab at impressionism. Break out some paint, crayons, or watercolors. Remember the keys: a focus on the things of this modern life (which today looks different from Monet’s time!), the use of color and light, and a quick style of painting. You don’t need to be a trained artist to try this for yourself. Bonus: let each brushstroke become a prayer, as you capture a bit of the world you inhabit, in all it’s imminence, color, and light.

Lent - Day 29

Lent - Day 29

from Biblegateway.com Lenten devotional

The Passover Festival Nears

Today’s Prayer

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy;
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy;
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy;
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. — Augustine

Today’s Scripture Reading: John 6:4-15

The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Today’s Quote

A healthy Christian is one of the liveliest creatures on earth. When he is at work you may hear him sing. He cannot help it; do not blame him for a little noise. Let him sing, and laugh till he cries. Sometimes he cannot help it; he will burst if his soul may not have vent. When he begins to talk about his Lord his eyes flash fire. Some people hint that he is out of his mind; but those who know best assure us that he was never before so sane as now. Of course, the world thinks religion is such poor stuff that nobody could grow excited about it. To my mind, cold religion is the nastiest dish ever brought to table. True godliness is served up hot. Newness of life means a soul aglow with love to God, and therefore earnest, zealous, happy. Let the believing man have space for his larger life, swing for his grander joy. Nay, do not gag him; let him sing his new song. If any man out of heaven has a right to be happy, it is the man who lives in newness of life. Come, beloved, I want you to go home to-day with the resolve that the newness of life shall be more apparent in your walk. Do not live the old life over again. Why should you? What good would come of it? — Charles Spurgeon, "Christ's Resurrection and Our Newness of Life"

Something to Think About

Are you overjoyed by Christ's gift of salvation? In the Spurgeon quote above, what sort of joy is he describing? Does it mean we should feel happy all the time? How is it different from everyday happiness?

Lent - Day 28

Lent - Day 28

fron ecotheo.org

Warbler, Ignacio Garcia via Flickr, some rights reserved CC BY SA

GARDINER CREEK

BY THE ECOTHEO REVIEW  ENVIROLENTMARCH 17, 2015

They exhaust me who preach
the world is mine to make,
as though without me – or
someone sadly like me – there is
no epic tale of light’s procession here,
no narrative of tides
or of desiring birds. Is this
what they, bedside
tell their children?
Out here, in dawn’s half-light,
where the world makes me whole – us
whole – I praise the narrow inlet,
its brackish story, that warbler nearby
getting it said – I am here.
By Brad Davis

Questions & Actions

• Think of a profound experience you had outdoors. Where were you? Who were you with? What were you viewing? Doing? What about that time echoed Brad’s last line that you were there?
• What is the world without us? Is the world ours to make? Or are you skeptical like the poem?
• Today, regardless, imagine the world is not yours to make. Instead, imagine it all as gift. A gift isn’t yours to make, but to receive. Take a moment today, and receive it. Perhaps this is through silence, prayer, or finding a place where you can proclaim that you were there.

Lent - Day 27

Lent - Day 27

from biblegateway.com

God Raised Us Up With Christ

Today’s Prayer

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. — adapted from the Book of Common Prayer

Today’s Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:4-10

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Today’s Quote

"The death of Jesus Christ has turned our whole lives into one continued sacrifice—whether we eat or drink, whether we pray to God, or do any thing to man, it must all be done out of a love for and knowledge of him who died and rose again, to render all, even our most ordinary deeds, acceptable in the sight of God.

"If we live by this principle, if Christ is the Alpha and Omega of all our actions, then our lowliest actions are acceptable sacrifices; but if this principle is lacking in our lives, our most pompous services avail nothing: we are nothing but a spiritual idolater; we sacrifice to our own gain and make an idol of ourselves. We make ourselves, and not Christ, the end of our actions: and therefore such actions are so far from being acceptable by God, that according to the language of one of the Articles of our Church, 'We doubt not but they have the nature of sin, because they spring not from an experimental faith in and knowledge of Jesus Christ.'" — adapted from George Whitefield's sermon "The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge"

Something to Think About

Christ's salvation is offered to us freely, and cannot be earned by our actions. Despite this, Christians have struggled since the earliest days of the church with the temptation to try and earn God's forgiveness by doing good works, following the law, or just living "good" lives. Why is it so hard for us to accept Christ's gift? Is this a struggle for you?

Lent - Day 26

Lent - Day 26

From Living Well through Lent 2015

An Exercise in Elasticity

by The Rt. Rev. Jim Mathes, Bishop of San Diego

John 3:14-21

We are told that he comes to Jesus "by night." That seems fitting, since Nicodemus is a shadowy figure in the New Testament, found only on three occasions in John's gospel.  When he first appears, Jesus blesses this man of darkness with a flash of light, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that whosoever believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16) The seeker seems to have caught a glimpse of something.

We seen him two more times: defending Jesus before the Sanhedrin and then assisting Joseph of Arimathea in burying the crucified Jesus. In a very short span of time, this Pharisee travels from shadowy and baffled seeker to pall-bearer of Jesus. It is as if he cannot let go of Jesus. And it may be that simple. He has chosen to be in relationship with Jesus and not be defined by the darkness.

As we travel these days of Lent, we are perhaps a bit like Nicodemus. We remain in the shadows, puzzling over Jesus and his words.  We find ourselves struck in patterns of life and assumptions that are different from the vision that Jesus casts. It is a vision of light instead of darkness, love instead of hate, forgiveness instead of retribution, hope instead of despair, life instead of death. Somehow, this vision -- this flash of light -- pierces us just enough that we keep moving and in the process discover a deeper meaning of what it means to be resilient.

The journey of faith and the Lenten way is an exercise in elasticity. It is about repentance and changing directions: it is about change.

***********************
From Duane: My Lenten lessons so far include resiliency from last Sunday and thinking about elasticity this week. I feel like I have been these things my whole life, but also feel like I have been losing them the past few years. Let us pray together that we can all be like the PlayDoh that God can mold into something new and beautiful instead of cement that has hardened with time.

Lent - Day 25

Lent - Day 25

From ecotheo.org

Breaking Lent

As a kid, I always liked Lent. From Ash Wednesday to the weekly stations of the cross to the Holy Week services, Lent really connected me with the Church in a way ordinary Sundays sometimes didn’t. However, I must admit that Lent was still mostly about giving up something trivial for 40 days and eating fish on Fridays. And abstaining from Kit-Kats and the occasional hamburger actually did make me think about the more difficult sacrifice of Good Friday on a regular basis. Although I would occasionally forget and eat a Friday burger, and during the first couple of weeks I craved candy that I didn’t even eat most of the time, by about day 20 I wouldn’t really think about what I was missing – it just became a habit. Unfortunately, once Lent was over, those habits were pretty easy to break.

As an adult, I still give up things for Lent but with a little more purpose. For the last few years my family has joined the growing numbers of folks who give up meat altogether during Lent and fast on Friday, and we do it for a couple of reasons. First of all, we’re a pretty carnivorous household so this is really giving up something we love, so on a daily basis we’ll be reminded of Easter’s approach. Kind of like a string wrapped around your finger to jog your memory–only the string is bacon that you can’t eat! But we also hope that eventually our meatless meals will become a habit. It’s pretty well established that large scale livestock production is responsible for a pretty significant amount of habitat loss, agricultural run-off caused by increased grain production, and other impacts that don’t exactly fit with our creation care/conservation priorities.

So far, our Lenten practices still prove pretty easy to break once Lent is over. Cooking is my wife’s favorite pastime, and I love to spend weekends manning a barrel smoker full of ribs. By May we’ll backslide into bratwursts and fried chicken. So this year we’re trying something a little different. After we struggle through Lent we’ll make more of an effort to buy locally raised beef and poultry and cut back on the portions a bit, but not cut out meat altogether. But even if it becomes a habit, I’ll think about Easter with every small bite.

By Zeb Weese

Questions & Actions

• What has your own history with Lent looked like? Is this your first time taking up a discipline? Is it something integral, or unfamiliar, to your faith community?
• Here we are at Day 21. Zeb talks about habits which form through this first half. What habits have your formed which have become second nature? What are you still working at?
• What practices that you’ve encountered or adopted this Lent do you think you could turn into habits of your life beyond the season?
• Today, again, is an opportunity for a limited fast. Maybe you can follow Zeb’s lead and give up meat for a day (it doesn’t have to be today, and it doesn’t have to be sunup to sundown; some find it easier to fast from lunch to lunch or dinner to dinner). Could this practice be a part of your weekly Lenten rhythm through this last half? Could it extend beyond?