Fourth Friday of Lent by Anonymous 3/12/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 92

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and faithfulness by night."
-Psalm 92:1-2 ESV

I know for myself when things are rough or not going the way I’d hoped, my first instinct is not to thank God for it. It is much easier to thank God when we’ve just received a promotion at work or we're able to spend extra time with family and friends. But to give thanks to God after we’ve lost our job or have been unable to see family in months as we are in the middle of a pandemic? — sometimes giving thanks isn’t so easy. Despite our circumstance, God is faithful and loves us, even when our situation clouds our view. We can be thankful even in troubling times, for we know that the Lord is with us.

What are you thankful for today? Give thanks to God for these gifts.

--anonymous

Fourth Thursday of Lent by Caroline Cates 3/11/21

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-21

“Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” -Romans 5:18 NRSV

These words from Romans 5:18 fill me with fear but also with joy. These words say we are all condemned which is scary. But they also say we are given life by one man, Jesus Christ. Doesn't this amaze you that the Lord gave his one and only son to save us from our own transgressions? God is gracious and merciful. We condemned ourselves and he still gave us another chance. Our God is great. 

This is why we celebrate Lent. To ask for forgiveness from our trespasses. Lent is a time to ask the Lord our God for forgiveness from our sins. Lent is a time to ask for forgiveness and to strive to be better. For some people Lent might look like giving up something important to you, while for others, it might involve spending more time with the Lord. Whatever your Lent may look like, we must always remember the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. This passage states that we are condemned but God sent his one and only son, Jesus Christ, to save us from ourselves. At the end of Lent is a celebration. This celebration is Easter, a joyous day when Jesus rose from his tomb to live again just like we will live again if we continue our walk of faith with the Lord. Always remember how much God loves you. 

Prayer: Lord, I ask forgiveness for my sins. I know I have made many mistakes, for I am a sinner. I am yours Lord and I will continue on my walk of faith with you, in and outside of Lent. Thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ, The Redeemer, to give me a second chance. As you have shined the Light of your love on me, please give me the strength to shine your light on others as well. Amen.

What can you do to shine the light of God's love on others this month?

--Caroline Cates

Fourth Wednesday of Lent by Donna Kimbrough 3/10/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 88

“O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.” -Psalm 88:1-2 NRSV

Have you ever thought that God was just not listening? Have you ever prayed so hard, for so long, that you think—surely God has heard my cries, yet no answers come?

In our impatience in this world, we expect our food to be fast, our internet to have lightning speed, and our packages to arrive the next day. We expect our questions to be answered, or we take our business elsewhere. We expect the world to kneel before us and fulfill all our wants and desires, and when it does not—we are flabbergasted! Miffed! Dare I say, even a little angry!

This is nothing new for us humans. Even the Psalmist, so long ago, writes to God and of God, “O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.” Yet the Psalmist does not hear an answer, and later he cries, “…I O Lord, cry out to you, in the morning my prayer comes before you. Why do you cast me off? Why do you hide your face from me?”

The writer cries and prays, shouts and even praises God, hoping, no, expecting an answer. But in this Psalm at least, no answer comes.

There will be times in our life when we feel that life may overwhelm us. There are challenges all around: a year-long pandemic, illness, isolation, suffering, the death of loved ones. How long must we continue to cry out before we are heard? How long until our suffering is acknowledged?

We have consolation in this Psalm. We hear that we are not alone, and that others who have gone before us have gone through the same struggles as we have. We can take comfort in that fact. We go through a period of struggles and disillusion, but we keep praying anyway. Like the Psalmist, we express our emotions from the deepest parts of our being, and we keep praying. We keep praying because deep down we know that God is listening, and that God hears our cries.

Prayer: God of grace, we cry out to you in our despair. Please hear our cry. Please hear the cries of others too, and help us all to know that you do listen. Comfort our hearts in times of trouble and help us to be a comfort to others in theirs. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

--Donna Kimbrough

Third Tuesday of Lent by Alan Hicks 3/09/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 78:1-39

"He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." -Psalm 78:39 NIV

The psalmist writes of troubled times for the Hebrews. They had been delivered from captivity in Egypt, but chafed at their fate as they wandered in the wilderness. Their humanity overcame their faith and they complained bitterly about the privations of their wilderness journey. Despite their ingratitude, God provided what they needed; yet they continued the cycle of straying from and returning to Yahweh.

As we struggle with pandemic restrictions and the fundamental changes to the most basic aspects of human existence, we too are tempted to wail, gnash our teeth and cry “woe is me”. In times such as these it is helpful to remember that God does not wish us ill and will never abandon us. With the divine gift of free will comes the possibility for suffering, but God knows our weakness and continues to provide what we need.

Perhaps the psalmist captures this dynamic well in Old Testament understanding when he says: “He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.” However, as we struggle with our masks and with the inability to be with one another as we would like, we give thanks for the expanded New Testament concept of grace sufficient for all our needs.

Prayer: Gracious God, we ask for the ability to put our current troubles into perspective, secure in the knowledge that your love for us and our concern for others is all that we need to overcome any adversity and to ensure that while we may be but a passing breeze in this life, eternity awaits with you. Amen.

Thought for the day: Scripture assures us that this too shall pass and that God is with us always.

--Alan Hicks

Third Monday of Lent by Mackenzie Clayton 3/08/21

 

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 7:1-15

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place."
-Jeremiah 7:3 NIV

At the opening of this scripture, we see God speaking to a crowd through Jeremiah. He basically tells the people that changes to the heart and mind affect one’s behavior. Jeremiah also warns the people of deception and to repent against all evil things and doings. Instead, they must work together and trust in God to lead them in the right direction. The people cannot automatically expect salvation, but they must also earn it. Towards the end of the scripture, Jeremiah tells the people that judgement is inevitable in hopes that they will potentially change their ways.

After reading these words, I have learned a few things. We must not use God’s name in vain and we must not oppress those who need our help the most. God is always looking for the best in people and wants to do everything in his power to lead us down the path best suited for our lives. However, we cannot expect constant security if we rebel against his wishes and words. Mistakes happen, and sometimes we do things that we know we shouldn’t. It is a fact of life. God knows this. But, if we do not learn from our mistakes and fix our wrongdoings, then we are not growing as people. God wants us to be our best selves, but how can we do this without learning and growing? 

Thought-for-the-day:

The word “mistake” always has a bad connotation, but it doesn’t need to be like that. Mistakes can be seen in a negative way, but they can also be seen as a great learning experience. It just depends on how you look at them. Think about some of the mistakes you have made in the past. Did you fix them? If so, what did you learn from them? If not, how could you?

--Mackenzie Clayton

Third Saturday of Lent by Jackie Priestaf 3/06/21

Scripture Reading: Psalm 46

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” -Psalm 46:10 NIV

In recent years I have spent some time learning more about labyrinths and the purpose behind them. I was looking for ways to get closer to God and at the same time practice some self care and self discovery. What stuck with me is the process of releasing or focusing on something on the way toward the center, gaining insight or revelation in the center, and then (hopefully) bringing that back to the rest of your life.

This week I have spent more time than usual out in nature–sitting, hiking, taking pictures, just being present in the moment and with the people I am with. I realize that I experience a special closeness to God through nature. God speaks to me through nature, His creation. This is the prominent way God speaks to me. When I am stressed, have a decision to make, a hurt to process or an idea I want to explore I often seek out time out in nature among the trees, beside the water, in the mountains, or on the beach. Hiking or walking in nature is the most frequent way I submerge myself into nature. It hit me the other day that for me this process is like walking a living labyrinth.

Whether I am fully conscious of it or not, I usually have a desire, something on my mind, as I set out on my walk, hike, or trip. I release it to the wind and the trees, wrestle with it in my footsteps, and feel it flow around my body and out with my breath. Whether I end up at the top of a mountain, by a waterfall, or around a river before heading back home, something always flows back in and gives my thirsty soul life. For me it can be a feeling, an idea or resolution, a perfect photograph or even simply God’s peace. On my way back home I carry what I received in my communion with nature, the living labyrinth, and bring it back to my more routine moments.

This process is not a one time event but rather one I participate in relatively frequently. Although not as frequently as I wish I did. It never looks the same, even if I start at the same spot. Sometimes it’s a fast paced climb to the summit of a mountain pushing every fiber of my being, other times a leisurely walk around the river, or sitting quietly on a dock beside the water, propped on a downed tree by the water or in a gazebo in a forest. The method I choose to interact with nature doesn’t really matter, but my intention and mindset behind what I am doing does.

I need to use Kingdom eyes to see and appreciate the beauty all around me that He has placed before me. I need to stop, be still and listen for God’s still small voice if I am to have any chance of hearing it. I need to remember that the God who created all that I am experiencing and enjoying also created me. He is present with me not only in these moments but in all the moments. By spending time in His creation, the living labyrinth, I can escape the chaos and noise of the world and re-center myself, reconnect with God and as a result recharge myself.

--Jackie Priestaf

Third Friday of Lent by David Oakley 3/05/21

 

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 5:1-9

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city." -Jeremiah 5:1 NIV

My initial thought while reflecting on this passage is that, with COVID-19 quarantines, it’d be even harder to find someone in the streets....

This is not the most uplifting passage, I’ll say that. I was not previously very familiar with this book, and I found this summary helpful: “This book is intended as a message to the Jews in exile in Babylon, explaining the disaster of exile as God's response to Israel's pagan worship: the people, says Jeremiah, are like an unfaithful wife and rebellious children, their infidelity and rebelliousness made judgment inevitable, although restoration and a new covenant are foreshadowed.”

I think this passage really goes to show God’s anger at the Jewish people, especially in their infidelity and worship of false idols. Despite this anger, God ultimately demonstrates his forgiveness through Jesus. The Old Testament can sometimes feel rough to read through, especially when compared to the often more uplifting New Testament. Still, it is important to understand that God is the one in control, and we should do our very best to stick to God's ideals.

Thought for the day: In what area of my life do I need to remind myself that God is the one in control, not me? To lighten the mood a bit, the “avenge” line at the end of this passage made me think of this scene from Marvel’s Avengers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSnHM3rn1jc

--David Oakley