“Remember and do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God in the wilderness. You have been rebelling against the Lord from the day you left the land of Egypt until you reached this place.” Deuteronomy 9:7
Honor your rebellion-
Know that it has no fixed domain-
Will not harm you-
Will lead you, rather, beyond the common vision-
To your true inheritance and appropriate reign.
Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Palmer Maxwell: Honor your rebellion
“Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
You say, ‘We know that God’s judgment on those who do such things is in accordance with truth.’ Do you imagine, whoever you are, that when you judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself, you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience?
Continue reading Lenten Reflection: judge not
This response was sent from Carmen to Jennifer, after Carmen read Jennifer’s Lenten Reflection last Wednesday.
This story really struck home with me.
More than a decade ago, my now-deceased brother, Curtis, and I had a conversation about this same situation after he had just given a panhandler $5.
“Lil Curt” felt it was his responsibility to share what God had blessed him with and not to judge; it was the receiver’s choice to do right with Curt’s gift.
Ever since then, I always have a $5 bill (and fruit) in my car tray that I share with folks asking for help. I always ask them to say a prayer for me.
I have always gotten a “thank you, God bless you” in return, and a warm feeling knowing my brother is smiling down at me from above knowing that he continues to teach his Big sister how to love unconditionally.
-Carm
Recently a friend of mine dismissed me from his/her life, saying that, although I was generous and compassionate with others, I was not so with said person. That my pain and honesty was cruel.
So, I have had much reflection on this. Who wants to be measured by someone who is keeping score on what a gift may be?
But what I have thus far sifted from this passage is this: that with any disputes, missed communication, slights, neglect, even anger with friends–that what has salvaged and brought us closer, is that underneath it all was a core of love. Simply love. Sustaining love. It bears all. Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Susan Proctor: giving up expectations
There is a great cartoon that shows Evangelists at the door of a woman’s sparse room asking her if she had found Jesus. Looking closely, you see “Jesus” hiding behind her curtains.
Hiding. From those whom are asking her “if she had found…” Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Susan Proctor: “giving up Jesus”
I spent part of my teenage years living in downtown Washington, DC. It was the height of both the crack epidemic and the Reagan administration’s gutting of social programs for homeless and low income people. My neighborhood, a diverse, high-traffic, mixed-use area, had some rough edges, but I loved exploring the streets and the subways. Along the way and with perpetual reminders from my understandably protective father, I learned habits of caution. I carry them with me to this day.
As a result, I am quite wary when anyone approaches me when I am in or around my car. So the other day when I pulled alongside a gas pump at a station on Crestwood Boulevard, I sent a glare in the direction of a young man who was ambling purposefully toward my van.
Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Jennifer Sanders: Change
“All those days you felt like dust, like dirt, as if all you had to do was turn your face toward the wind and be scattered to the four corners or swept away by the smallest breath as insubstantial— Did you not know what the Holy One can do with dust?
Continue reading Beloved Lenten Reflection: Blessing the Dust
For a child who didn’t spend much time in church, Lent was always about what my friends were giving up. Giving up chocolate. Giving up candy. Giving up cussing. Giving up rock ‘n roll. I didn’t get it, but I knew it had something to do with sacrifice.
Now I spend a lot of time in church, but I admit that I still don’t have a full grasp on Lent. Yet I am grateful for these 40 days that remind me to be attentive to the pushes and pulls in my life that diminish me and my relationships with God, the people around me, and yes, even the people I don’t want around me.
So I’ve decided to give up something for Lent. Continue reading Lenten Reflection: A New Thing
You were on your way home when you died.
It was a car accident. Nothing particularly remarkable, but fatal nonetheless. You left behind a wife and two children. It was a painless death. The EMTs tried their best to save you, but to no avail. Your body was so utterly shattered you were better off, trust me.
And that’s when you met me.
“What… what happened?” You asked. “Where am I?”
“You died,” I said, matter-of-factly. Continue reading Lenten Reflection: The Egg
“‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, or sisters, you did it to me.'” Matthew 25:36-43
This dialogue is from a text message exchange between Lynn Phillips and Grace Roberts. Mary Jane Falletta, Lynn’s mother, is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, and Grace has been helping out as Lynn’s Care Team leader.
Grace: She is so special to me and I’m thankful you are sharing her with me. I’m so honored. It makes me swell with happiness watching you love and care for your mom. Every mother and daughter should have that relationship.
Lynn: Your words about mom and me bring tears to my eyes. I have not always appreciated her/us, as I should. Thank you for being such an important person in our lives as we make this walk. Continue reading Lenten Reflection by Grace Roberts
