Breathe deep.
If you can breathe in for ten seconds you are in a good place.
March is marching on in spite of the swirl of dis-ease around us.
This is a great time to assess conditions, within your own body and soul, in order to do that which makes us stronger both physically and spiritually.
This is a time to be careful to eat healthy foods that build up the immune system and step away from those foods that are not good for us.
In the same way, this is a time to gird our soul with the Word of God and remind ourselves that we have a very good brain that can guide us as we use the common sense God gave us.
Let’s breathe deep, think before we leap into a fearfully made decisions and keep moving forward according to God’s will.
Here are a couple quotes to keep us motivated during this Lenten season, a time of austerity and self-discipline:
"The fast of Lent has no advantage to us unless it brings about our spiritual renewal. It is necessary while fasting to change our whole life and practice virtue. Turning away from all wickedness means keeping our tongue in check, restraining our anger, avoiding all gossip, lying and swearing. To abstain from these things—herein lies the true value of the fast.” St. John Chrysostom
"It is not that I want merely to be called a Christian, but to actually be one. Yes, if I prove to be one, then I can have the name.” St. Ignatius of Antioch
3-16 Genesis 44:18-34; Psalm 77,[79], 80; 1 Corinthians 7:25-31; Mark 5:21-43
Mark 5: 21-24 Jairus, a synagogue official implored Jesus to heal his daughter who was near death. As they walked to his home . . . :25 The woman with a
:36-:37 In the mean time, an official came to Jairus and said, “Your daughter has died.” But Jesus said “ Do not be afraid, and believe.” Jesus, Peter, James and John were the only ones who went to the child’s room. All others were sent away. :41-:42 “Tilitha Kum, “Get up little one.” She got up immediately and began to walk. Jesus said, “Give her food and do not tell anyone what was done.”
These are the last of a series of parables in the Gospel of Mark. Each shows a greater healing power coming from Jesus, signs of His divinity. These two stories intertwine like a grape vine. Both reveal God’s endless healing power which emanates from Jesus. On his way to heal Jairus’ daughter, a feat that will need all of God’s mighty strength from His Son, that ‘power’ is sucked out of Jesus in an instant.
Jesus is in familiar territory. Jews crush in on him as he walks. Jesus is jostled as he squeezes through this pressing crowd. Yet, he is fully aware of the power being sucked out of him just when we will need it for what will end up being the ‘raising from the dead’ of Jairus’ daughter.
Wait. That’s not right.
Jesus is ONE with the Father.
This means that Jesus is infinitely connected to the source of never-ending healing power. Jesus’ divine power to heal, even when sucked out by a single touch, is like a living stream that never ceases to flow.
Although Jesus, in his humanness, feels the drain of power sucked out of him when the woman touches the edge of his flowing garment, he does not skip a beat. He instantly knows what happened.
Their eyes meet. Words are exchanged. She is instantly healed. Jesus, her last hope, does not disappoint. Salvation has come to one who spent twelve years seeking wholeness.
One touch. Done deal.
“Your faith has made you well.”
Touching a garment worn by One who was and is and will
How can this be? She believed in Jesus.
She believed in His healing power to change her life.
By faith, she sought Jesus even though she was ‘unclean’ by Jewish Law and had no right to be near a Rabbi much less touch him. She knew this Rabbi was different.
She touched, she saw, she spoke and was spoken to by God Himself. Resurrected life.
She knew.
And then Jesus kept moving, perhaps with greater focus since receiving the news that Jairus’ twelve year old daughter was now dead. He would shoo away those professional mourners outside Jairus’ home, those who laughed in Jesus’ face when He told them the girl was just asleep. The mourners knew better. They were there when she died. Jesus, all knowing, knew she would be ‘saved’ from eternal death because of God’s Word.
One minute Jesus is on a mission to heal and the next minute his power is sucked from Him. Without skipping a beat, Jesus affirms the woman’s faith and proceeds to a place where His unending power will, again, bring about new life.
Only those who believe in the power of resurrected life, the power of salvation, can be in the room . . . Peter, James, John, Father, Mother and Jesus.
The crowd of skeptics outside will not be privy to God’s transcendent power, yet.
It’s not their time.
In this story, to prove that the girl, who is actually old enough to be given in marriage, is not a ghost but is alive and well, Jesus says, “Give her something to eat.”
Just like any Christ follower. All is well. Eat!
Consume the Presence of God and rejoice . . . but don’t tell anyone.
Think about it: We’ve read this story many times and may not have understood the intensity of Jesus’ ministry. These intertwined healing episodes provide us with a better understanding of the mind boggling power that emanates from God through His Son . . . that same power that is available to us 24/7/365.
Jesus has the power to quell all fear.
Jesus has the power to heal us from faith-less worry.
Jesus has the power to take us from feeble minded to like-minded with Him.
Our life was resurrected from eternal nothingness to availability of all the treasure in heaven.
Why, then, do we doubt or worry or allow anxiety to suck us dry of Jesus’ unending power to heal our own soul?
Why do we hide in a corner, fearful of what ‘might’ be when simply BE-ing is all we are called to do.
Jairus called on our Eternal Healer and believed Jesus.
The Woman sought out Jesus knowing a touch of his garment would heal her.
Let’s take extra time these coming days, weeks, to seek the healing power of Jesus, His healing touch, by touching another life with affirming words.
Let’s share that power we receive daily to live the resurrected life we are given.
Let’s reach out by a phone call, by a sweet note, by a loving gesture, to those we know and love.
Let’s remember that the same eternal power that was never fully drained from Jesus is the same eternal power that can never be drained from us.
We are healed!
Let’s act accordingly.
3-17 Saint Patrick’s Day
Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 78; 1 Corinthians 7:32-40; Mark 6:1-13
Instead of the regular meditation, let’s focus on Saint Patrick today.
Because of the virus, many have canceled special celebrations all over the U.S.
St. Patrick’s Parades were canceled over the weekend.
It’s difficult to let go of all the hard work that so many put into these celebrations much less the loss of funds for many businesses.
This ‘episode’ we are living through has already caused much anxiety and fear.
Yet, if we look at Patrick’s life, we may breath a bit of relief that we will not have to go through what he did.
On the other hand, because his early years were beyond any difficulty we may have endured, he grew to be God’s instrument to bring all of pagan Ireland to know God through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Amazing!
St. Patrick (387-493) was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland, to Roman-British parents. When Patrick was 16 he was kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. A heartless druid priest purchased Patrick and sent him into the hills as a sheep herder. Patrick often went without food and rarely was given the opportunity to be with people.
[If we are quarantined for a couple weeks we may commiserate with Patrick, who was isolated for months at a time over a six year period.]
However, Patrick had been brought up in a devout Christian family and gained a strong relationship with the Lord.
He "prayed to God one hundred times a day and often one hundred times at night."
Patrick was confident the Lord was with him and, later in his life, he reflected over the reasons God allowed him to endure six years before an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and directed him to flee to the coast, 200 miles away, to catch a ship to Britain. This, in itself, took great courage.
Patrick was confident the Lord was with him and, later in his life, he reflected over the reasons God allowed him to endure six years before an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and directed him to flee to the coast, 200 miles away, to catch a ship to Britain. This, in itself, took great courage.
As each druid king came to know and believe in Christ, each area (now each county) became Christian. Churches were built and county had at least one church named after Saint Patrick. Saint's names were placed on druid markers over springs and worship areas, transforming druid territory to Christian territory.
In the forty years that Patrick evangelized throughout Ireland, the entire country was totally turned around and worshipped Christ.
Think about it: The reason we call people like Patrick a ‘Saint’ is because he and so many others gave their life, in obedience to the Lord, to spread the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Patrick was called to change all of Ireland. Others would not worship a pagan god and were killed because of their Christian faith. Still others worked as teams to cement Christian doctrine so that heretics would not lead vulnerable souls away from the Truth, the Word, the New Covenant, Jesus Christ.
Who, beyond the Apostle Paul, evangelized and whole nations to Christ? We do not know but many thousands have gone out of their comfort zone to live according to the purpose given to them by God in Christ.
Each of is called to share our gifts so that many nations, the entire world, turns away from sinful practices and focuses totally on God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We attribute the poem, set to music, to St. Patrick: “ “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
What a fabulous story to motivate each of us to keep moving forward according to those ‘whispers’ we hear from the Lord.
It’s not so bad to call upon the Lord in prayer one hundred times a day . . . and one hundred times a night.
Perhaps, during this time of stepping back from activities, can reflect on our own purpose and how God is using us mightily right where we are, right at this time.
God did not cause this illness to halt the world but He will use it to get our attention.
This is a perfect time to pray for revival. Pray that the vulnerable are protected and so grateful for that protection that they call on the Lord, Our God, to be with them. Pray that the young who may never have stepped inside a church, seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray and act. Reach out to family, friends and neighbors via phone calls, email or even a hand written note. Affirm to them that God is with them because you are praying for them.
Patrick prayed one hundred times . . . day . . . and night.
So can we.
Saint Patrick is a wonderful example of ‘brave’ during a tough time in his life.
His story may help us to keep us moving forward on our own path.
Blessed St. Patrick’s Day!
Mark 6:13-29
Psalm 119:103 [mem] “How sweet are your words to my taste. :111 [nun] I have inherited your testimonies forever. :116 [samekh] Sustain me according to your word that I might live.”
I focus on verse :116 but add the others as part of today’s conversation.
Psalm 119, as you have learned, is the longest of the psalms and the repetition regarding the love of God’s law seems endless. Yet, these stanzas, written in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, each begin with a word that uses that letter.
For instance, vs. :103-:110 are written with the letter ‘mem’ in mind, thus using words that begin with that letter. This psalm is a masterpiece in the same way that the ceiling of the Cystine Chapel in the Vatican is Michael Angelo’s masterpiece as an offering to God. Each word of every psalm is from God and given back to God as a it’s own masterpiece but the words in Psalm 119 [and Psalm 19 which follows the same pattern] are intricately woven into a Divine tapestry.
The words, “Sustain me according to your word that I might live,” instantly weave together a myriad of memories from my heart. Stories my parents shared with me come to mind regarding their lives during tough times. My own discoveries and challenges throughout my life weave through their stories as each word gives me strength and creativity to walk into whatever the Lord sets before me today, tomorrow, forever. My faith in Christ along with those memories give me a structure of strength, fortitude, ingenuity and creativity that I would not otherwise have on my own.
So often I read a psalm, linger over the words for a moment and then move on. After all, the words are not as intriguing as the endless saga we are reading in Genesis. Yet, today I step back a bit. I linger over words that bring back wonder-filled memories. It’s those memories that remain our treasure. Fond memories can hold us captive just as well as any story of intrigue.
I am sustained by memories my parents shared regarding
their part in World War II. Of course the dads went off to war or helped in some way if they were not physically able to go overseas. Moms helped out at the canteen but also followed the rationing guidelines. I remember the tin on the stove we were not allowed to touch, slowly filling up with bacon fat which my mom dutifully gave to our local grocer. He, in turn, handed it over to some official for use in the munitions plant.
Stories swirl about regarding women who, having never worked in their lives, took pride in their new endeavors to learn to place rivets or solder pieces together in the airplane plant. Victory gardens were the rage as each grew what they could in tiny plots, even window boxes, in order to have some vegetables. Many healthy foods were scarce but people’s creativity stepped in and neighbors worked with one another to help in the ‘effort’ to win the war.’ “Sustain us according to your word that we might live,”
My mind flies back to fifth grade when we memorized Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. I remember little of it now, decades later. Yet, one phrase, like this phrase in the psalm, returns to me often and seem to ring true whenever we are in crises. “We are in the midst of a great civil war, testing whether this nation or that nation shall long endure . . . “ Our ‘civil’ war is within ourselves much of the time. Today we ask ourselves if we can endure not congregating with friends, staying away from our planned events, hiding away by ourselves . . . in spite of our incredibly advanced technology that keeps us tied to one another via our computers and phones. It’s not the same, is it. “Sustain us according to your word that we might live,”
Think about it: I could write down a dozen stories about my own life that come to mind as I chew on these words. Today I see the Lord’s presence, sustaining me, in each story. Yet, back when the story was unfolding in my life, I was clueless about the Lord’s presence in my life.
Others had to be praying for my protection and my salvation.
Others may have prayed, “Sustain her according to your word that she might live.”
As you reflect on these words, does a story come to mind?
Do you see yourself in the midst of some adventure in a precarious place in your life?
Do you see where Jesus is in your story?
Is He close to you, hovering near you or watching over you from a distance?
Does hindsight give you some idea that others were praying that you might “be sustained so that you might live?”
Think about an adventure that filled your soul at the time.
Think of today’s adventure as filling your soul with new insights.
Today you might ask the Lord, “Sustain me according to your word that I might live.” . . . and then GO . . . LIVE . . . live in the adventures given to us in scripture.
Live as a character in that book you’ve wanted to read.
Live as you write a letter . . . hand written, snail mail . . . to a sequestered friend who lives far away.
Live as you chat with others on the phone or FaceTime or on facebook or via other social media.
Live as you recall past adventures by writing stories about yourself.
Write your stories that might encourage the next generation, that might help others in your sphere of influence call upon the Lord, our God, the Lord, Jesus Christ and say, “Sustain me according to your word that I might live.”
Suggestion:
Use only one side of paper . . . one page on a computer.
Write a brief story about a precious moment in time that gave you pleasure.
Think about what prompted the moment, what happened ‘in’ the moment, how that precious moment enhanced your life just a bit.
For instance, I recall my dream to learn to ski.
I had zero money, borrowed to finish my senior year in college and had no clue what I would do next.
Because of good grades some organization gave me $50 at the end of my senior year.
I could have used that money to live on but I chose to purchase a pair of ski boots!
I’d never been on a ski slope in my life even though I live in Colorado at the time.
I’m a very practical person.
This did not make sense at all.
I had no inkling about a personal relationship with the Lord at that time. Yet, I knew my heart, I knew my limits, I’d been creative in finishing my education. God was holding me in the palm of His hand because someone out there [I think it was my grandmother] was praying for me, “Sustain her according to your word that she might live.”
3-19 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16; Psalm 89; Romans 4:13-18; Luke 2:41-52
Luke 2:41ff When Jesus became twelve he and his family went up to Jerusalem at the feast of Passover and remained for days. But Jesus stayed behind. When his parents found he was gone, they returned and found Jesus teaching in the Synagogue and they brought Jesus back to Nazareth with them. :52 and Jesus kept increasing in wisdom, stature and favor with God and men.
Jesus was twelve. This means he was ‘coming of age.’
Jesus and his parents, once again, made the long journey to Jerusalem to sacrifice, celebrate the Passover and then, extending their stay, celebrate this major step in their sons’ life. We do not know how long Joseph lived but we do know he was alive and well thus far.
Joseph was Jesus’ human father figure, the one who taught him, along with his mother Mary, to live as one dedicated to God. Yes, Joseph and Mary know Jesus was ‘God’s own forever.’ Yet, Jesus was also their son. For Jesus to have a human father figure until he came of age was a blessing and all in God’s plan. Jesus was increasing in wisdom and stature, being both human and divine.
Jesus was so involved with the elders, parsing scripture, arguing about every tittle and jot, as jewish rabbis do on a daily basis, that he forgot about his obligation to his parents. Here is a ‘kid’ so immersed in adult processing of God’s word, that nothing else mattered. Jesus was in his element. He most likely spoke with assurance and conviction. He was right in there with the best Pharisees, elders, Rabbis and any men who were up to the challenge of digging deeply into God’s words.
Did Jesus ignore his parents on purpose? Absolutely not. This perfect child had no inclination to break one of God’s commandments. He was trained well, knew the passage he was to read for his ‘coming of age’ ceremony and took this pivot point in his life very seriously. He had just completed the ceremony of ‘becoming a man’ so to speak. Therefore, one might surmise, he would sit with the men and do manly things like parse scripture. Jesus was simply lost in the moment.
Joseph and Mary, devout to God to the core, may have looked up to heaven, breathed in deeply, and prayed to our Father in heaven . . . “This is our son!”
Like any jewish mother, Mary may have also said, “What’s a mother to do?”
Of course they were frustrated, worried, anxious as any parent would be. To Mary and Joseph, Jesus was their ‘little boy.’ Their first instinct is to find him and given him assurance that he would be OK. Little did they know Jesus was totally in his element. What a lesson for these parents. Perhaps this was their first inkling that Jesus was far greater than they could ever imagine. Perhaps this was a turning point for them as they could now step back from their roles as nurturer, protector, provider, parent.
Joseph was Jesus’ father-figure in every way. Jesus was begotten of God, the Father but Joseph was the ‘father’ who taught his son to be a carpenter, to be polite to all he met, to honor God is small ways, to serve the Lord with gladness even if the work day was arduous or tedious.
Joseph most likely was never without work. The city of Tiberius was just an hour away by foot and every carpenter was needed to help build this golden city of beauty. Jesus and Joseph may have walked many a mile together. Lots of father-son chats . . . or would it have been son-father chats? Jesus still had a long way to go in his spiritual maturity before God would direct him into his life-altering ministry.
Yet, Joseph was with Jesus from the beginning of his life in human form.
Think about it: We might know, by experience, how to raise a child.
Even if you are an aunt or an uncle, you may have experienced some sort of parenting role with nieces and nephews.
In fact, now that our “children” may be on their own, our hind-sight is 20/20.
We may have had great challenges when raising our precious gifts from God but perhaps we were not as consumed with the presence of God in our lives as were Mary and Joseph.
Do you ever think of your own pivot points in Christ?
Was our Lord carrying you, holding you, guiding you as you raised your children?
Indeed, if so, it still may not have been easy.
If Jesus was not central in your life when raising your children, most likely He did not become central in your child’s life.
That’s the toughest part of our mentoring, nurturing, isn’t it.
We do the best job we can to direct the path of our children and then we have to let them fly out of our comfy, nurturing nest.
All we can do now is pray every moment for their protection because that’s what parents do.
We grieve, pray, become elated when we see a spark and then see our hope die as that tiny ember burns out.
Through our prayers and continued communication of love and encouragement, we must rest in the fact that they have ‘come of age,’ they are on their own.
Because of your prayers, the Spirit of the Lord hovers around that young adult, waiting, expectant, always ready to enter into that person’s life.
The moment your prayers penetrate your “child’s” heart and soul is when Jesus hears the word, “yes” from the one for whom you are praying.
“Yes, I will give my sin to you.
Yes, I will receive you into my life today as my Lord, my Savior.
Yes, I will abide in you and grow into who You, God, want me to be.”
So keep praying.
God is working.
Pray that your child continues to say, “yes” for every growth-step the Lord presents.
Our job of ‘parenting’ prayer is never done until we are eternally with our Lord.
Psalm 88:4b “I have become like a man without strength.”
Psalm 91:11 “For He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
I love the Psalms because they seem too catch my mood of the day. It does not matter that these words were written for different circumstances, too many centuries in the past to even count.
I apply these words to where I am today.
I begin to laugh as I read because of today’s circumstances.
I’m part of the boomer generation. We’ve been there, done that, earned the t-shirt. I was in the airline industry for several years and, due to strikes, lost my job for one to three months at a time . . . with no pay. I got creative, used my savings, ate only home-made healthy foods and made do with what I had. I could not look for another job because, through past lay-offs, I knew I’d eventually return to my job.
“I have become like a ‘man’ without strength,” could have been my meditation the first time I hit a bump but I learned, after the first time, to maintain a bit of savings and to call on friends and relatives if there was a need I could not meet.
I was not a Christian the first time I was left high and dry.
I used my own ingenuity, felt quite alone and called no one to help.
I survived. Yet, when I became a Christian and learned what it meant to cling to the One who saved me from eternal nothingness, my life transitions were far less solitary. The times I lost strength and could do nothing more, I’d call a friend or two. Each commiserated with me then gave me sound advice to ‘put on my boots and keep walking.’ When we lose strength of soul, strength of God’s creativity, strength to keep moving forward, our friends can help.
Challenge: We must have an open heart, an open mind.
We must be willing to listen.
We must be willing to listen.
Life can get pretty frightening even when we have Jesus with us. In fact, it’s that fear that helps us cling to the Lord, seek His grace and learn from the words He gives us in scripture. Yet, wise words from ones we trust are like gold. It’s that fellowship that is a major part of growing in Christ.
That brings us to today. A majority of us are sequestered by choice as we follow the exportation of federal, state, local and community leaders. We made a choice to help our fellow citizens. We choose to separate from the flock, from family, from important gatherings and from daily routines to slow down the spread of this virus. We have technology to keep us involved in virtual gathering but the close-knit fellowship we are use to is fleeting. No hugs, no laughing together, no friendly jostling, no eye contact that tells the real story. We find plenty to do but, for some, it is difficult not to go about our daily routine, bumping into friends and acquaintances along the way.
That’s where the second phrase from Psalms touches my heart. “For He will give His angels charge concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
We have angels to guard us in ALL our ways! We are never alone!
If we sit quietly and simply wait for the whispers of the Lord to speak, we can hear His soft voice.
When we hear his voice we can act on His words.
When we act on His words, our angel can lead us, guide us, GUARD us in all our ways.
This is better than wise words from friends.
These are wise words from God with our guardian angel who can keep us moving forward in the right direction.
When we hear his voice we can act on His words.
When we act on His words, our angel can lead us, guide us, GUARD us in all our ways.
This is better than wise words from friends.
These are wise words from God with our guardian angel who can keep us moving forward in the right direction.
Think about it: Perhaps you are the type who loves being
alone. You cherish the moments you can read that thick novel that’s been sitting on the shelf.
Here is your opportunity.
What often happens is when we are sequestered, even if we like being alone, there is something within us that yearns to visit a friend, get out and shop, linger at the mall. It’s almost like a gravitational pull. If we are told ‘NOT’ we feel compelled to go and do.
Here is your opportunity.
What often happens is when we are sequestered, even if we like being alone, there is something within us that yearns to visit a friend, get out and shop, linger at the mall. It’s almost like a gravitational pull. If we are told ‘NOT’ we feel compelled to go and do.
This is when we can call on the Lord to help us with that ‘gravitational pull’ to be where we are not suppose to go. This is where our guardian angel can tug us back to where we are suppose to be.
First, make a list of all the things you’d like to accomplish during this ‘quiet’ time.
Next, cross off all those things on the list that take you out and about.
Then number in priority those things which you’d like to do that you CAN do at this moment in time.
Begin!!!
Maintain your regular routine of prayer and bible study.
Take a daily walk now that the gym is closed.
Take a daily walk now that the gym is closed.
Reach out by phone or snail mail to those who you know are not tech savvy.
Receiving a letter that one can hold and read many times may be the best treat many receive. These people may have been home-bound for a myriad of reasons before the sequester.
Continue to pray as you go about your list.
Ask the Lord to give you names of those who do not cling to Jesus, who need spiritual assurance that God is with them.
Begin . . .
keep going . . .
keep doing . . .
keep listening . . .
keep praying.
keep going . . .
keep doing . . .
keep listening . . .
keep praying.
All will be well because God is in control and we have our
guardian angel with us . . . always.
[I have not addressed those who are cloistered together as family, one on top of another, too close for comfort. All of us who are not in those circumstances can pray specifically for those families we know and then call them and ask them how we can help financially and creatively.]
3-21 Genesis 47:27—48:7; Psalm 87,90,136; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; mark 7:1-23
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted . . . but will provide a way of escape so that you will be able to endure the temptation.”
The Corinthians kept missing the mark regarding loving their neighbor. The rich took care of themselves and the poor managed the best they could. Their temptation was to forget what they had learned from Jesus’ example. “Love the Lord, our God . . . love your neighbor as yourself.”
They’d forgotten to take extra time loving the Lord, getting to know and understand their personal walk with Christ.
This is not a sin.
In fact, this seems like a simple misstep rather than a temptation. But they were 1/4 inch off base.
Their foundation, to Love the Lord, thy God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength, needed repair.
By making sure their foundation, a strong personal relationship with Jesus, remain spot-on, they needed to step back and re-measure their lives.
By taking time to stop each day, pray, listen and learn, their personal foundation would be so strengthened that they would no longer ‘do’ but would ‘be’ who God wanted them to be.
By growing to BE like Jesus, they would no longer be tempted to ignore the needs of their neighbors.
Think about it: Are we tempted to forget our daily time with the Lord when we are fearful or anxious?
Do we forget to ‘escape’ into His loving arms?
Do we say to ourselves, “I’ll step back from my regimen of prayer and study just this once?”
Before we know it, our anxiety skyrockets and we wonder why.
It’s that same temptation that is so very common to all of us. We tend to DO before we take time to BE.
BE still, just sit in your most comfy chair without noise, without any stimulus.
BE still and BREATHE deep . . . one looooooong, ten-second breath.
Hold that breath for ten seconds.
Breathe out slowly for ten seconds.
BE still, totally present with the Lord as you breath in Jesus’ name or the name of the Father, Abba.
BE still and concentrate on breathing slowly while saying His name.
BE still . . . let no other thought come into your mind for 1-2-3-10 minutes?
DO this exercise every morning, alone, in a quiet place . . . just breathe slowly.
The DOING is the BEING isn’t it.
Hard work.
How is your anxiety, fear now?
Are you less tempted to walk away from your daily time with the Lord?
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man . . . “
All we have to do is escape for awhile into the loving arms of our Lord and
BE.
Below is a prayer a friend sent to me.
[I meet weekly with a group from both protestant and Catholic churches. We share our experiences with Jesus and growth challenges as we have done for twenty years.]
We who are in a comfortable place in our lives can at least pray:
“May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.”
Amen.
March 22, 2020 Fourth Sunday of Lent
Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-14
Laetare Sunday: coincides with Gaudete Sunday in Advent = REJOICE.
We’re half-way through Lent so we can lighten up a bit.
Instead of the austerity of no flowers behind the altar, we ‘lighten up’ with bunches of Roses.
Instead of the austerity of no flowers behind the altar, we ‘lighten up’ with bunches of Roses.
Although we still cannot break our ‘fast’ from being with friends and family, or attending church, we can REJOICE that our sequester is keeping us well.
Psalm 23: “The Lord IS my Shepherd and I shall not
want. . . “
This is the perfect Psalm for today.
Most Christians know this by heart.
It’s a psalm of comfort when we need solace, a psalm that embraces our gratitude that we have a Shepherd who is taking care of us.
I copied and pasted this Psalm the way it is written for community reading because it is perfect for the meditative breathing we’ve learned. [Scroll down to the Psalm]
The * is a breath point.
Take a deep breath at each * and then continue with the second half of the stanza and move right into the next verse until you again see the * . . .
then stop,
breath deep,
and continue to the next *.
Or, if this method of meditation is uncomfortable, read each stanza and breathe deep.
Think about each word . . .
Who is shepherding you as you graze the green pastures?
Are you fed full almost too tired to stand so that you are pleased-sleepy?
Perhaps you thirst for more that is right there before you in God’s Word.
Feed,
chew slowly,
feed some more . . .
until you feel quite content.
Do you feel revived?
How is the Lord guiding you today?
Is He guiding you through anxiety, through fear, by the hour or by the minute?
Do you feel the loving arms of Jesus embracing you, leading you to new grazing fields in His Word, just as a shepherd leads his sheep?
Do you sense death and forboding around you?
Fear not.
The Lord is near.
Have you said “Yes” to God in Christ, turned to Him and let go of all that baggage that you’ve carried with you and now can place at the foot of the Cross?
Do you trust that evil may surround us but, because of faith, does not need to penetrate our soul?
God gave us His presence, through His Son, and offers us a banquet in the same way Jesus and His disciples received blessings, anointing, and the fullness of Christ at their Passover feast. Jesus said, “This is by body . . . this is my blood . . . take, eat, drink, in remembrance of Me. Do this often.”
Jesus’ presence is our daily banquet.
Digest the banquet of the presence of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Be filled to overflowing with the treasure given to us as we continue to say, “yes.”
Know that the goodness and mercy of our Lord is with us always and will never leave us. . . eternally.
Know that by allowing the Lord to be present with us always, by feeding on Him, we are ‘in’ the house of the Lord because we ‘house’ the Holy Spirit.
Through Baptism and the calling of the Holy Spirit to enter into our soul and take over our lives, all we have to say is ‘yes’ and we dwell in the ‘house’ of the Lord forever . . . and ever.
Chew on each word, picture yourself handing over to the Lord each thought that confuses you, unsettles you, leads to future fears.
Jesus is present with us, now, at this moment.
Let’s cling to His precious presence at this present time.
Repeat this Psalm as often as you choose.
The Lord is with you, holding you in the palm of His hand.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Take time to memorize these words if you haven’t already
done so.
Read it aloud. Get use to your own voice.
Let the family hear you - ask them to join you.
Hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest one verse at a time.
Take as long as you wish.
Our Lord is working inside your soul.
Today our church bulletin is sent out electronically.
Church service will be streamed on facebook and then archived on the web site.
Perhaps your church is doing the same.
God gifted us with great minds to bring forth this amazing technology we use today.
Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow this Laetare Sunday.
3-23 Genesis 49:1-28; Psalm 89; 1 Corinthians 10:14—11:1; Mark 7:24-37
Genesis 49:10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, not the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him, and the obedience of the peoples is his.”
Judah was Jacob’s first legitimate son, born to his first wife, Leah. Indeed, the first son inherits the ‘scepter,’ the authority to continue as patriarch, the one who inherits the greatest of blessings and passes even greater blessings through the next generations. Judah, the Lion, holds firm through war and famine and Israel’s destruction and through the exile of God’s chosen people. Judah, given land that would house the City of God, Zion, Jerusalem.
The scepter, the reign of Judah, its strength to stand firm under God’s presence, shall not depart but remain steady through the reign of messiah. Indeed, King David, the lineage of both Mary and Joseph, comes from the tribe of Judah. The scepter of leadership and God’s abundant blessing is passed from generation to generation . . . to us who are grafted in through our faith in Messiah. “The obedience of the people is His.”
In other words, God’s presence in Judah never ceased, through centuries of triumph and destruction. God’s presence on the Holy Mountain remained through the Davidic Kingdom, who was a stepping stone to the King of kings and the Lord of lords, the messiah. Judah was ‘blessed’ with the mountain and temple which housed the Old Covenant, the scepter of God’s reign until it was time to move God’s reign from a ‘place’ to a ‘people.’ . . . “Until tribute comes to him, and the obedience of the peoples is his.” This phrase points to New Covenant, Messiah, beyond the Davidic Kingdom.
Think about it: The action of “Blessing” was passed from the “Father of all nations”, Abraham, to each generation to this day.
Jacob, re-named ‘Israel’ after his struggle with God, was the father of the twelve tribes that embraced his new name, the twelve tribes of Israel.
Israel gave blessing to each son just before he died. We know the story of how Jacob received blessing from his father Isaac, through a deceitful scheme. Yet, because of God’s grace, this ‘deceitful’ one after his “struggle” with God, reckoned with God and was made righteous. [Israel means ‘struggle.’]
Blessing may be symbolic today but it is powerful.
Dad was from the ‘silent’ generation and spoke few words.
He provided well for his children and loved us in his quiet way.
When his offspring had children of our own, he visited each of us, scattered from west coast to east coast, in order to re-connect with us and give us blessing.
Our observation of his honorable life was blessing enough even though we knew far too little about his incredible accomplishments.
Yet, dad’s blessing meant the world to me. We’d always had a strong bond.
If I asked the questions, he would give detailed answers. I have most definitely become my father’s daughter even though I also have many wonderful traits from my mother. Blessing solidified all that I’d absorbed from both parents.
Blessing is the scepter that is passed from one generation to the next.
Blessing affirms who we are as offspring of the one blessing us.
Blessing is meant for good.
Blessing, by father or mother, girds each in the next generation for the task set before us.
Blessing, if not given to us by father or mother, can be given to us through our Father in heaven, the ONE who is . . . forever.
Blessing from God is continuous, non-stop, never ending for all who place our life at the foot of the Cross and ask Jesus to reside in us and preside over our life.
Blessing begins with our ‘yes’ and then continues as we
become intimate with our Lord, through prayer, through understanding His Word, through digesting His Presence as we worship Him and receive Him into ourselves, body and soul, daily.
Blessing . . . pass it on.
“The Lord bless you and keep you, make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord life up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6: 24-26
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