“So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is wasting away, our inner man is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4.16

As I think about the recent dangers we as a church community have faced, I remember what a blessing we share as sisters and brothers of faith in our Lord. Insurance will cover our infrastructure losses. God  and his Son were protecting us (and Angie and son) from harm. Our church building will come thru this even stronger than before. Our faith is reaffirmed by the blessings we received because no one was hurt. Our wonderful friends at Avondale Methodist Church stepped right up and made us welcome to their facilities and hearts. Lets celebrate our good fortunes.

Jesus has once again shown his Love to us.

-Ed Boutwell

— Jelaluddin Rumi, translation by Coleman Barks

Copyright 1997 by Coleman Barks. All rights reserved.

Lent is said to be a time for introspection and laying bare the warped ways of our wayward souls; a time for laying our cards on the table, admitting at least to ourselves that we have stacked the deck, cheated the Dealer and even tried to beat the House.

“For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.”  (Psalm 51:3)

In the death throes of a failed marriage years ago many insults were hurled from both directions, I regret to say. In a heated argument my husband charged, “You’re just like your father!” He knew that would hurt because he knew my father had hurt me. My response was absolute denial. A sense of betrayal. Outrage. Defensiveness. Humiliation. Shame.

But after a while, in a rare moment of self-awareness, I was able to sit quietly with those words: “You are just like your father.”

And I decided that I was.

I was strong. I was determined to live. I had an adventurous soul and I didn’t really care what other people thought. I had no choice but to live life my way. My spirit would not wilt, I would not lose my voice, I would find my way. I was like my father.

I also admitted to myself that some of my worst qualities and most shameful behaviors were like my father’s.

And you know what?

I was relieved.

I was relieved of the burden of trying to measure up. I was relieved of the fear of being found out. It was all out in the open. At times I was an awful human being. I could let that truth come to light. I didn’t like it, but I could live with it.

Shame lost some of its power over me that day. I felt light. I felt free.

It’s true. I am like my father – his best and worst self. I am wheat and chaff. I am daylight and nightshade. I am hot and cold. I am sweet and sour. And on my good days, I am not ashamed.

Shame tried to burn me and bury me but I found life in something I later learned was called Grace.

-Rev. Angie Wright

In some Christian communities the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, is observed with prayer services that include placing ashes on the forehead of members of the congregation. At the time the ashes are placed on the forehead the minister may use this formula: REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DUST AND UNTO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN.

Ashes on the forehead is, in the first place, a sign of repentance, turning back to God. We remember that this is the response that Old Testament figures took when they had broken God’s commandment: they would wear sackcloth and cover themselves in ashes and fast to invoke God’s mercy and forgiveness. The ashes also remind us of the story of creation when, in the Garden of Eden, God breathed life into Adam from the dust of the earth. As Christians receiving the ashes it is important to remember that this is not intended as a morbid reflection on the human condition and our mortality. When heard in the context of Scripture these words: REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DUST AND UNTO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN are an affirmation of God’s creative love and unconditional commitment to the human race.(John 3.16) How do we know this? Because Jesus experienced himself as “dust” being born and dying as all human beings do. What all human beings have experienced from the beginning of time: “dust unto dust” becomes through Jesus, the New Adam, the beginning of a new creation, what we call “Heaven” which is, in fact, a reality we already participate in. Lent is simply a time to get “in sync” with what has already been given us: “The Kingdom of Heaven is within you.”(Luke 17.21) “He who believes in the Son, has eternal life.”(John3.16)

This community of BELOVED already excels in what are referred to as the corporal acts of mercy: clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, almsgiving. 

What we are challenged to are the more quiet and interior disciplines of prayer and meditation and reflection on the Word of God. 

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Getting “in sync” with our “Original nature.” We are made in the image and likeness of God. This is our original nature. Our original “face.” Lent is a time to remember who we are in God’s eyes not in the eyes of society or the world. Prayer and meditation are the most effective means to remember who we are. Take time to be still. Be present to yourself and present to the silence where God speaks to us in the depths of our hearts. 

COME TO ME ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST

Getting “in sync” with God’s Word. During Lent the universal Church walks with us. We go on this pilgrimage together. And our “bread for the journey” is God’s word. We can use the lectionary on line (http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/daily/2013/2/13/) to take part in that bread of life. The readings from the lectionary are the readings that all UCC and many other denominations use for each liturgical season. Last year Angie suggested using the readings throughout the day to sustain us. We may choose to fast from food but we should never fast from the Word of God, our daily bread. This way, although we may be reading the scriptures at home alone, we are really in communion with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. It’s a beautiful thought. May God bless us during this Lenten pilgrimage and renew us in His love.

-Palmer

“Whisper words of wisdom~Let it Be”

Beatles Words from Jesus?

Or other prophets?

Blood on the land from so many who speak to us as we contemplate our own place.

Martyrs~~oh SO many that we can name, and those who are unknown.

Those who did not only gaze at their navels, but spoke Truth to Power.

Yet, first, did they not reflect?

Our leaders, inspirers, and yes, our own pastor is one of these.

Because Jesus was not wrong. He did not get lynched by not being radical to his time and place. He knew he would. He knew. Yet, he Let It Be.

Let us count the names ~ yes, too many, Thank God, so many!

Do we die on the cross along side? Dare we? Should we? Must we?

Good Friday. We anticipate the Resurrection. Because now we have the story, the history, the faith. But what if we were there then; confused, frightened, intimidated, betrayed?

Jesus answered him. “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 NIV 

Jesus telling “the truth” just at death? No, telling the truth always. The scary, today, truth. Truth to power. (little “p”) We have the power.

We have been gifted the Power (big “P’).

This time, as we pray, the blood must stop, the hate must end, the gift has been given of LIFE.

Let It Be!

-susan proctor

If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved! Romans 10:9

Confessions

I told a lie…

And the nail was hammered more deeply into Jesus’s wrist.

The devil giggled and said, “She’s mine!”

I broke a promise…

And the nail was pounded farther into Jesus’s feet.

The devil clapped his hands with glee and said, “She’s mine!”

Someone needed my compassion, but I turned away…

And the spear was plunged into Jesus’s side.

The devil smirked and said, “She’s mine!”

Then – through the blood, the sweat, the tears, the unbearable agony –

Jesus looked at me

With grace

And with steel in his eyes, he turned to the devil and said,

“Get thee behind me Satan!

“I love her.  She’s MINE!”

And Jesus?

I love him.

He’s mine.

– Marcia Bentley

A while back, Harper, the dog, and I were messing about in the canyon. There had been much rain and the river was ragingly spectacular. Entranced, I thought, “Well, I don’t hike as well as I did at twenty, but doing pretty good for fifty-six.” So, as I approached the watershed that I had circumvented going forward, I decided that I could jump it on the way back. So, I leapt! 

As I lay there with the water gurgling around me, gazing upon the sky, feeling my skinned knee, I chuckled, “Well, this is another fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into.”

Just as a child; testing our limits, boundaries, abilities, so we do in other life stages. I’m finding, as well, so I do in my spiritual life. 

Do we leap again~or not? Are we wounded~or revealed? 

And what is up with all this wandering about in deserts? Are we lost, searching, adventuring? Are we afraid or filled with wonder? Do we hear a call or just want a map? 

Jesus answered, “It says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Luke 4:12 

Faith pulls us up and calms us down. Faith inspires us and let’s us question. 

On and on we may question. Faith allows us. For, truly, we do not live by bread alone. 

And Hope ~always the hope, that we grow, learn from the boo-boo’s, joy and chaos. Whether we are healing from a shattered knee or a shattered heart. Faith in our healing, our limitations, our abilities. 

Divine Love. Wandering and wondering.                                                                       

– Susan Proctor