Lent2018
Where do you experience calm in your life?
I was diagnosed with ADHD in third grade. At the time I did not know what that meant, but I did know that I always needed to be doing something, and sitting still was not my forte. The only thing that captivated me was soccer. No matter if I was watching it on TV, or playing it, I was hooked. It could be the end of the world, but if I was playing soccer, I wouldn’t notice. Within the chaos of the game, I would be consumed with a sense of calm. Nothing in life makes me feel that way. The prophet Isaiah says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; when through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you won’t be scorched and flame won’t burn you.” Our lives are busy, they are filled with so many things. How then do we find our clam in the madness? In everything that we do, especially those that make us feel overwhelmed, God is present. Through this season of Lent, open up to the peace of God in your life.
What brings you to a place, where you can feel calm?
Bryce Miller
Lent2018
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones sang, “You can’t always get what you what. But if you try sometimes you just might find you get what you need.” Sometimes we feel like it’s never enough. No matter how much we have or how much we achieve there must always be more. We are like hamsters on a running wheel. That’s why we sometimes call life “the rat race.” There is a place for ambition and drive in our lives. But it can easily be misplaced and become a consuming hunger that dominates our lives. Sometimes we just need to stop.
Hebrews 13:6 says this, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” We are loved by God. And if we will but look around us, we find that we are richly blessed by God. Slow down. Take that look. You are blessed. And God is with you. Contentment is a wonderful thing.
Larry Lenow
Lent2018
Ephesians 2:19-22 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”
All of us are hardwired at birth to need to belong. A newborn who is not nurtured will soon die from isolation and loneliness.
If we are fortunate enough to grow up in a nurturing family, we will experience belonging and learn how to include others in our life.
If our family of origin is less than ideal, we will hunger more for a place to belong.
In the season of Lent we learn from the life of Jesus, especially through his life of sacrificial love for a fallen world, that we are God’s family, we belong, and that is God’s gift of inclusive love to all of us.
Likewise, the church is called to extend God’s gift of belonging to the lonely, the troubled, the alienated, the outsider, the “others”. We will find them everywhere – at the store, at work, at school, at play, even at Church.
Let us all pray, in this season of Lent, that God will sharpen our vision to recognize those who need to belong, and to welcome them into God’s family and into ours.
Doug Hill
Lent2018
11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11
When do we experience joy? Perhaps at the birth of a child. Perhaps at a graduation. Perhaps at the news of an engagement. Perhaps at the gift of retirement. Perhaps at a time when all of the family is gathered together – parents, children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.
Joy – that feeling of exponential happiness.
This picture of Abby’s team winning the state championship in 2015 captures joy for me.
But I dare say that there are those who have never experienced joy. There are those who are now walking in the valley of grief; those who have just received a diagnosis of cancer; those who have received an eviction notice. There is no experience of joy currently for them.
The psalmist reminds us 5” For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5
Who do we know that needs to experience joy this Lenten season? Jesus reminds us in the gospel of John, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). May God provide occasions for us during this season of Lent to point others towards the source of all joy – Jesus the Christ.
Judy Oguich
Lent2018
Body, mind, spirit … Many of us try to promote health in one or more of these areas. What are we seeking when we do? Exercise, eating well, and meditation are all ways to improve or maintain various aspects of our health, but our practices certainly do not guarantee that our bodies will not harbor illness, that our minds may not unravel with age or that our spirits will not encounter brokenness. However, our efforts may have a greater benefit, Peace; Peace in knowing we are taking care of a special gift! Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received of God? You are not your own; you were bought for a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This Lent, I encourage you to strive for good physical, mental and spiritual health, and in the process, experience the Peace that comes from honoring the God who loves us all.
Teresa Given
Lent2018
Do you need to forgive someone? On the other hand, maybe you are the one that is hungering for forgiveness.
The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:31-32 says: Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.
That is just one of the many scriptures that talk about forgiveness. So, “piece of cake”, right? God makes it clear that we are to forgive, so we do it, right? Unfortunately, that is not always what happens. Sometimes we associate “forgiveness” with approving of what someone has done to us or that it is a sign of weakness. In reality, forgiveness does not mean we condone the wrongdoing and being able to forgive is a sign of personal strength and health. Holding on to bitterness, anger, hurt and hate harms you. Forgiving frees you.
Asking for forgiveness can be hard, also. James 5:16 says: 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
Sometimes we do not follow through with asking for forgiveness because we are not sure if the other person will forgive us. There is no guarantee of that, but asking is still important, because it will help to free us. As you know, from the scriptures, God forgives and confessing to Him could make all the difference.
In my life there are many things I regret doing. Not being able to forgive myself for those things was overwhelming, until I asked forgiveness from God. When I did that, I knew I also had to forgive myself, so I could let go of the guilt and regret that had trapped me.
Forgiveness is necessary.
Dear God, You have made it clear how essential forgiveness is. Help us to forgive others, ask forgiveness from You & others and forgive ourselves. Amen
Leila Denton
