"Strength Arise as We Wait Upon the Lord . . ."

Psalm 27:13-14
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.  Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Imagine that you are one of Jesus' disciples.  Peter, perhaps, or John, or James.

It is Saturday.  The Jewish Sabbath.  The day after the crucifixion.

The first day in three years without your teacher, your friend, your Lord.

How are you feeling?  What are you thinking?

Are you reaching out to your fellows, offering comfort and solace?

Or, are you so grief-stricken, still in shock, you cannot speak a word?

In hiding.  Frightened.  Heart-sick.  Bereft.  Bereaved.

And, even with others around you, feeling so wretchedly, miserably, utterly abandoned.

Forsaken.

Alone . . .

Then, through your tears, your sobs, do you hear Him?  Talking to you?  In your mind?  Or, through words spoken by another?

Remember.  What.  He.  Said.

"Son of Man . . . to Jerusalem . . . suffer . . . die . . . in three days . . ."

In three days . . . In three days . . . In three days . . .

Does the most fragile glimmer of hope dawn within you?

Or, are you so plunged in darkness, there is no room for light?


In three days . . . In three days . . . In three days . . .

Tomorrow.  The third day.

Will it be as He said?

Will we see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living?

"I will rise from the dead . . ."

He will rise . . . He will rise . . . He will rise . . .

Do you believe it?

Do you dare?
~
Can you even imagine life without our Risen Lord?

Will you join me in prayer?
Let us wait in hope today, Father, as we prepare to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Your only Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  May this last day of the Lenten season be filled with prayer, reflection, and fasting as we remember how His disciples must have felt the day after His death.  We are so thankful to be people of the resurrection.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 95, 88 or 27
Lamentations 3:37-58
Hebrews 4:1-16 (morning)
Romans 8:1-11 (evening)  

Seven Sayings

Psalm 22:1
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?


In doing some research about Good Friday, I stumble upon a Christian meditation with which I am unfamiliar.  One which, according to Wikipedia, is practiced during Lent, Holy Week, and Good Friday.

It is called the "Seven Sayings".  These are the seven sentences Jesus spoke while He hung on the cross, and they are taken from all four Gospels.

For those of you who do not have a church home or are unable to attend a Good Friday service today, I thought these Seven Sayings would be a most reverent and reflective exercise as we remember the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Will you meditate on these with me today?  Read each saying, then prayerfully contemplate the word associated with it.

1.  Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.  (Luke 23:34)
      FORGIVENESS
2.  Truly, I say to you, you will be with me today in Paradise.  (Luke 23:43)
       SALVATION
3.   Woman, behold your son, behold your mother.  (John 19:26-27
       RELATIONSHIP
4.  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
      ABANDONMENT
5.  I thirst.  (John 19:28)
      DISTRESS
6.  It is finished.  (John 19:30)
      TRIUMPH
7.  Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.  (Luke 23:46)
      REUNION


~
What are your thoughts after meditating on the Seven Sayings?

Will you pray with me?
Thank You, Father, for sending your only Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins.  As we reflect upon His crucifixion, His suffering, His death, may our hearts be filled with compassion and overwhelmed with thankfulness for all He has done for us.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 95, 22 or 40:1-14 (15-19), 54
Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-33
1 Peter 1:10-20
John 13:36-38 (morning)
John 19:38-42 (evening) 
 
 

"Do This in Remembrance of Me . . ."

Mark 14:16
The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them.  So they prepared the Passover.


The Last Supper . . .

The last meal Jesus will ever share in earthly form with His disciples.  His closest friends.

And, the enemy He knows is about to betray Him.

The beginning of the end.  Here.  In this upper room.  At Passover.

A holy meal of remembrance for the Jews.  When the blood of the unblemished lamb, smeared onto their door lentils, spares the lives of the firstborn.  Defeats the angel of death.

Delivers God's chosen people from Pharaoh's ruthless grip.

Remember . . .

The bread.  Lifted up.  Blessed.  Broken.

"This is my body . . ."

The cup of wine.  Lifted up.  Blessed.  Poured.

"This is my blood . . ."

And, the Passover is transformed.

A new commandment is given.

"Do this in remembrance of me."

The lamb.  Innocent.  Pure.  Holy.

Sacrificed.  On a cross.  Dying for the sins of many.

Body broken.  Blood poured.

The death which forgives.  Redeems.  Raises up.

His death defeats death.

And, we are delivered, once and for all, from its grip.
~
Will you be attending a Maundy Thursday service today in remembrance of Jesus?

Will you pray with me?
May we faithfully and with thanksgiving, Father, remember our Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread and the sharing of the cup.  In communion, we are made one body in Him and He in us.  May this union infuse us with His love that we might love others.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 102 or 142, 143
Lamentations 2:10-18
1 Corinthians 10:14-17; 11:27-32
Mark 14:12-25 

"All You Need is Love, Love. Love is All You Need . . ."

2 Corinthians 2:8
I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.

Pastor Wallace tells the story of a middle-aged couple, Bob and Gail, who regularly attend services in one of his former churches.

Several weeks into his ministry there, Wallace notices that while Gail participates in the prayers and hymns, Bob sits or stands stoically.  Silently.

Never moving his lips in prayer.  Never lifting his voice in song.

And, naturally, he is curious about Bob's behavior.  Decides to, as genially as possible, confront him about it.

Wallace catches up with the two one Sunday after service as they are getting into their car.

"Wait up there a minute, Bob," he shouts and waves as he runs toward them.

Bob straightens up behind the open car door.

"What can I do for you, Pastor?"  He asks sternly.  His jaw is set.  His eyes, emotionless.

Wallace senses that the waters are icy, but takes the plunge anyway.

"Just wondering about something, Bob," he says.  "I see you and your wife here faithfully every Sunday.  She seems to enjoy being here.  But, it doesn't look to me like you are getting much out of it."

"What do you mean by that?"  Bob's voice has a definite edge.

"Well, my friend, I never see you pray.  Never see you sing.  People that come to church are usually eager to participate in worship.  Because, worship is all about telling the Lord how much we love Him."

Bob's eyes narrow.

"I told Jesus I loved Him when I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.  That's plenty enough telling."

"C'mon, Bob," Wallace cajoles, "certainly you don't mean that.  Why, I'm sure you tell Gail here on a regular basis that you love her, don't you?  So, why not tell the Lord regularly?"


"I told Gail I loved her the day I asked her to marry me.  That's plenty enough telling."


Without another word, Bob gets into his car.


Gail follows, but not before Wallace sees the dark, deep wells of sadness that are her eyes.
~
Whom will you reaffirm with love today?


Will you join me in prayer?
Let us show and tell others we love them every day, Father.  May the love You have for us shine through us always.  May our prayers and praises we give to you say, again and again, how much we love You.  Amen.


Readings
Psalms 55 or 74
Lamentations 2:1-9
2 Corinthians 1:28-2:11
Mark 12:1-11

 

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say

2 Corinthians 1:10
But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No".

Do you say what you mean and mean what you say?

Is your "yes" authentic?  Is your "no" for real?

While I can answer all these questions in the affirmative now, there are years in my past when my addiction to people-pleasing clouds my sense of self.  That genuine self.  The one so burdened, so chained, it doesn't even know how to cry out for freedom.

Not wanting to step on toes.  Not wishing to hurt anyone's feelings.

I float on the tides of others.  Never making waves.  Saying nothing to rock the boat.

While my shrinking-violet self cowers on a shelf.  Gathering dust.  Insecurity.  Uncertainty.

Fear . . . 

Because, to express that self means I could make someone angry.  Resentful.  Spiteful.  Hurtful.

Peace!  I want peace.  At any cost.

A "yes" that should be a "no".  A "no" that should be a "yes".

And, I want to be liked.  By everyone.

Which is impossible.  

Because, the old adage is true - you can't please all the people all the time.  Nor, should you try . . .

Slowly, but surely, the hard way, I learn this.

I reclaim my self on the shelf.  Take her down gently.  Meticulously dust her off.

And, in seeing her restoration, I weep.  For all the times I ignored her.  Didn't trust her.  Refused to believe she could stand on her own two feet.  As, God knows she can . . .

I abandoned her.  She was so alone.  As I, in debonair nonchalance, thought I could make the world my friend.

When, all along, she deserves nothing less than my love.  God's love.


I know that now . . .


For, God's love finds me.  He calls me His friend.

I am precious in His sight.


And, now, He is the only one I wish to please.
~
Are you a recovering "people-pleaser"?  I welcome your stories here!


Will you join me in prayer?
Help us, Father, to be the real, authentic self You created us to be.  Thank You for your ever faithful love and friendship.  May we so do Your will and walk in Your ways that others will see Your steadfast love through us and come to know You.  Amen.


Readings
Psalms 6, 12 or 94
Lamentations 1:17-22
2 Corinthians 1:8-22
Mark 11:27-33

 

Believe You Will Receive

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

When you go to God in prayer, what do you ask for?

For yourself?  For others?

Healing?  A better job?  Restored relationship?  Travel mercies?  Blessings for spouse and family and friends?

And, when you have asked for in prayer doesn't turn out the way you hoped, how do you react?  Are you disappointed?  Angry?  Bitter?

Do you stop asking God for anything anymore?

Or, worse, do you stop praying altogether?

Because, His answer is "no"?

And, you don't get what you want.  Right then.  Right now.

I have been there . . .

Wallowing in self-pity.  Immersed in the dark night of the soul.

Not.  Asking.  For.  One.  Thing.

Until . . .

Something so momentous, so unimaginably wonderful happens.

Something I have asked for.  So long ago, I cannot recall when.  Exactly.

And, I see . . .

In His time, in His way, in His great love, He answers me.

Shows me why "thy will be done" is the perfect prayer.

Always.

He gives me the love of my life.  The joy of my heart.

Danny.

And, today marks seven years since we exchange wedding vows.

Where two become one.

Because, God joins us together.

Happy Anniversary, my Love!

~
How have your prayers been answered?

Will you pray with me?
Father, You know our needs before we ask.  Help us to accept Your answers to our prayers be they a "yes" or a "no".  Let us always trust in Your plan for our lives.  Thy will be done.  Amen.

Readings
Psalms 51:1-18 (19-20) or 69:1-23
Lamentations 1:1-2; 6-12
2 Corinthians 1:1-7
Mark 11:12-25  

Hosanna in the Highest!

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Zion!
See, your King comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.


Palm Sunday.

The most bittersweet of all services . . .

The Lord Jesus, riding humbly on a donkey, enters Jerusalem.  Is greeted by wildly cheering crowds.

"Hosanna!  Hosanna!  Hosanna in the highest!"

Palms are waved jubilantly, then strewn with cloaks along His path to quell the rising dust from so many feet.  Running to meet Him.  Walking beside Him.  Following behind Him.

Shouting!  Laughing!  Rejoicing!  The people welcome their Redeemer King.

The Messiah.  Triumphant.  Righteous.

"Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!"


The Light of the World.


The One who will save them.


And, then, when the dust has settled . . .


In the span of just days.


This very same crowd, whipped into a frenzy by the authorities, shift their allegiance.


Turn on the One to whom they had turned.


"Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!  Crucify Him!"


And, there is beating.  Scourging.  Mocking.  Jeering.


Darkness falls.  


All is lost . . .


We mourn His suffering.  We weep for His pain.  We die with Him.  And, into the tomb, we follow Him.


And, wait for the light to shine once again.


For, unlike His scattered and despairing disciples, we know what they did not:


The joyous outcome.


"Alleluia!  He is risen!  The Lord is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!"
~
Will you be attending services during Holy Week?


Will you pray with me?
Heavenly Father, You sent Your only Son, Jesus, our Lord, to die for us that we might be reconciled to You once and for all.  Let us with humble and reverent hearts reflect upon His suffering and sacrifice as we prepare to celebrate Easter.  May we never cease to be thankful for the greatest love ever shown to the world.  Amen.


Readings
Psalms 24, 29 or 103
Zechariah 9:9:12 (morning)
Zechariah 12:9-11, 13:1, 7-9 (evening)
1 Timothy 6:12-16 (morning)
Luke 19:41-48 (evening)