"Rejoice! Rejoice! Again, I Say Rejoice . . .!"

Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!

When you hear the word "Lent," what comes to mind?  Giving up those treasured sweets?  Turning down a mouth-watering steak?  Saying, "No," to a favorite television show or a social media site for 40 days?

There is nothing wrong with giving certain habits up for Lent as long as our hearts are in the right place.  And, our souls are focused on the why we choose to abstain from those practices.  Because, whatever we choose to do should be done in order to help us grow into a closer relationship with God.

And, we should do so with rejoicing!

I am reminded of what Jesus said when He instructed His disciples about the practice of fasting, of "giving up":  "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting.  Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:16)

So, what have you given up for Lent?  Has it been difficult?  Is it strengthening your commitment to the Lord?  Or, is the "doing without" doing you in?

If that's the case, maybe it's time to stop and rethink your direction.  Because, if you're walking around with a Pharisee face, you are inviting the sympathy of others, not welcoming the love God has for you.  Wants to give you.  Wants you to give in return.

Most importantly, in all times and in all places, even in the repentant season of Lent, the Lord wants you to rejoice in Him.  Rejoice in His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace.  Rejoice in His steadfast, unfailing love.

So, pack away the sackcloth and ashes!  Put a smile on your face!

And, shine the light and love and joy of God into this hurting and needy world.

~

Will you share your Lenten discipline(s) in the comment section today?

Will you join me in prayer?

We thank You, Father, that You love us enough to send Your only Son, Christ Jesus, to die on a cross for our sins.  During this season of Lent, help us to focus on this wondrous act of love and forgiveness as we prepare to celebrate the glory of the resurrection at Easter.  Let all that we do in Your Holy Name be done with rejoicing!  Amen.

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust

Genesis 3:19
Remember that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the first day in the season of Lent.  As she did last year, Pastor Emily will be offering prayers and ashes at our local Starbucks.  Unconventional?  Perhaps.  But, according to this article, which I hope you will take a moment to read, more and more Methodist Churches are taking Lent's message of repentance and forgiveness to the streets.

When Emily announces her intentions for Ash Wednesday last year, my husband, Danny, and I are elated.  She will be at the Starbucks just up the street from 7:00 until 9:00 in the morning.  As Danny works at home on Wednesday, we plan to go together and get Lent started off on the right foot.

As we are driving there, I wonder about what Emily will say, will pray, will do when imposing the ashes.  My previous experiences have all been in formal church services.  I really don't know what to expect.

But, I'm more than pleasantly surprised.

Emily hands each of us a small card with the purpose of Lent printed on one side and a Prayer for Forgiveness on the other.  As we follow along, she reads the purpose of Lent aloud:

We put ashes on our heads to:

• Remind us of all those around the world who are mourning and suffering.
• Remind us that we all have sinned, we all need repentance, and we all must cling to the promises and love of Christ.
• Remind us that in the passage of time, we will all someday die.
• Remind us of Christ's suffering, death and resurrection.
• Remind us that in the midst of this, we are still called, named, claimed, and loved Children of God.

Wow!  So humbling, yet so uplifting at the same time!  Emily places the cross of ashes on our foreheads, and together we recite the Prayer for Forgiveness.  This is the prayer I will leave with you today.  May your Lenten season be filled with God's love, mercy and blessings!

Merciful God,

I confess that I have not

loved you with my whole heart.

I have failed to be obedient.

I have not done your will.

I have broken your law.

I have rebelled against your love.

I have not loved my neighbors, and

I have not heard the cry of the needy.

Forgive me, I pray.  Free me for joyful

obedience, through Jesus Christ,

my Lord.  Amen.

REMINDER!  Beginning tomorrow, visit Kennesaw United Methodist's website here for your daily Lenten devotions.

Blogs! Blogs! Everywhere the Blogs!

Psalm 19:14
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Every morning, first cup of coffee in hand, I open my e-mail inbox to peruse the contents.  I weed out the unwanted ads and news feeds.  Click on anything which I think needs my immediate attention.  Answer the pressing e-mails.  And, save the best for last . . .

The blogs I subscribe to!

Most days, I don't read them until later in the morning or at lunchtime.  I save them like one would a coveted chocolate or favorite cookie, a special treat to be savored slowly and sweetly, at a time when it's most appreciated.  That, too, is the time I usually visit Facebook blogging communities to which I belong.

And, then, there are the blogs which I follow at my Blogger site.  As I check often for comments which you, kind readers, so graciously leave, I note if there are any new entries from my writing friends.  How delighted I am when something pops up!  Often, I just dive right in to read them since I'm already on the Blogger page.

So many wonderful gifts of words to unwrap make every day feel like Christmas!

Out of curiosity, I decide one day to tally up the number of blogs I frequent.  I am astounded!  There are 50+ with two, recently recommended, in the offing.  That many???  I say a quick prayer of thanks that most of these talented writers do not post on a daily basis.  If that were the case, I honestly don't know when my own writing would get done.  I'd be having too much fun reading their works instead of working on my own!

While most of the blogs I subscribe to are Christian reflections, others focus on poetry, short fiction, book reviews, photography, and personal growth.  As different as they may appear on the surface, each blog always contains these two all-important ingredients:  encouragement and inspiration.  Is there any one of us who doesn't need those in our lives on a daily basis?  I know I do!

It's been said many times before and will be said many times again:  writing is a lonely profession.  Just you, the computer screen, and the keyboard.  Making the social connections I have through blogging and social media have bolstered me, comforted me, given me the human interaction I need to feel that I, too, can offer that word of encouragement or be the inspiration for someone else.

That is empowering.

That is humbling.

It's what loving one another is all about.

May the words we write, both in blogs and in comments, be ever acceptable in Your sight, Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer . . .

~

Are you currently a blogger?  An aspiring blogger?  Please share in the comment section and feel free to post the link to your website!

Will you join me in prayer?

Dear Father, we thank You for the gifts and talents You have so graciously bestowed upon us.  May we do nothing displeasing in Your sight, but ever strive to shine the light of Your love into this hurting world.  Amen.

"Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord . . ."

Luke 10:23
Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see."

My husband, Danny, is passionate about photography.  Everywhere we travel, his camera comes with us.  Because, as Danny says, "I never want to see the perfect shot and not be prepared to capture it."

But, taking that "perfect" shot doesn't mean Danny won't tweak it using Photo Shop, an essential tool for any serious photographer.  He has such an eye for color, contrast, cropping, and composition.  Even a so-so photo can breathe new life under his direction.  It's an amazing process to witness!

Recently, Danny adds a program called Photomatix which allows him to merge three images of different exposures.  The end result?  I'll let the following before and after shots speak for themselves . . .

Wow!  What a difference!

When Danny posts the new and improved sock photo to the Facebook page of a photography group he has joined, one person leaves this comment:  "It's so amazing to take the ordinary view of socks, of all things, and turn it into art."

Danny's response?  "God made the art.  I simply noticed."

~

Are you noticing God's artwork in the world around you?

Will you pray with me?

Open the eyes of our hearts, Father, that we might see Your mighty hand in all Your works.  Give us pause each day to notice Your miracles all around us.  Bless all those who use their gifts and talents to Your honor and glory.  Amen.

"Stormy . . . Bring Back That Sunny Day . . ."

Psalm 55:8
I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and the storm.

We know it's going to be a rough weather day.  We see all the predictions and we are prepared for the probable thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.  But, we don't expect it to hit us so early.

I am sitting at my computer, sipping my second cup of coffee, when I hear it.  The haunting, ominous wail of the tornado sirens.  At 8:15 in the morning?!  Really???

As my husband, Danny, is working at home this day, he is still sound asleep.  So is my stepson, Giovanni.  Oh, they are NOT going to like this wake-up call!

"Everybody up!  The sirens are going off!  We need to get downstairs!"

Danny doesn't need a second prompting.  He throws back the covers, tumbles out of bed, and stumbles down the hall, headed to check weather radar on the computer.  Giovanni is only a step or two behind.

The sirens are still sounding.

"If there is a tornado anywhere in the county, the sirens are set off," Danny murmurs sleepily while punching commands on the keyboard.  "We need to see where the storm actually is before we panic."

He's so right.  The map reveals that we are nowhere near the storm's predicted trajectory.  False alarm.

"So sorry," I say sheepishly.

"It's okay," Danny assures me while pouring a much needed cup of coffee.  "Actually, we need to keep the radar screen up today so we can quickly note any changes.  This is definitely not a day to take any chances."

So, we monitor the weather throughout the morning.  Ready to dash downstairs for shelter should the need arise.  I gather a few items which I want to have with us in case of an emergency.

We wait.  We watch.  Sure enough . . .

Just after lunchtime, the eerie, blood-curdling sirens are howling yet again.  Promptly, Danny checks the radar and tunes into our local weather channel.  This time, the threat is real.  The meteorologist on the screen indicates the cities in the line of fire.  Kennesaw is one of them . . .

"I think it's time to head downstairs," Danny observes.  I can't agree more.  He takes the laptop with us so we can continue to get updates while we hunker down, praying for those in the path of this storm.  Hoping no tornado will touch down at all.

We dodge the bullet . . .

We give thanks to God.

~

While we feel grateful and blessed to have survived this day of storms, many living about 35 miles north of us are not as fortunate.  The photo above, which I borrowed from a local radio station's website, shows the tornado which actually touched down, causing considerable damage.  Buildings leveled and cars tossed like toys.  Hundreds injured and one poor soul killed when a tree falls on his mobile home.

Will you pray with me today for the victims of this vicious storm?

When stormy weather hits our lives, Father, remind us that You are our shelter and our strength.  We ask prayers of comfort and healing for everyone affected by the recent tornadoes.  May Your grace and presence dwell with them and with those who have come to their aid.  Bless them, dear Lord.  Amen.

"Hopelessly Devoted to You . . ."

Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Pastor Emily decides to put together a series of Lenten devotions written by various members and staff of our church, Kennesaw United Methodist.  Imagine my delight when she asks me to not only provide the readings assigned to each day, but also to proofread and post each writer's contribution!

After writing devotions for almost two years now, this is right up my alley.  I can't wait to read others' interpretation of scripture, their stories, and the prayers they offer.

And, Emily has given me permission to redesign the church's blog space in any manner I choose.  That is exciting in and of itself!  I'm not sure at the moment what font or background I'll select, but I know I'll have a grand time creating our new look.

If you haven't decided on a Lenten discipline, or even if you have, I hope you will plan a daily visit to our blog beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 13th.  You are bound to be inspired and uplifted by these meditations and reflections.  I know I've been in reading the ones which have been submitted thus far.

So, plan to join us here, would you?  And, if the spirit moves you, take a moment to leave the authors your comments.  I know your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

~

Will you be joining in with Kennesaw United Methodist's devotions this Lent?

Will you pray with me?

We thank You, Father, for all those who volunteered to write a post for our Lenten Devotional Series.  May the words of their mouths and the meditation of all of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.

Inviting Allie In

Romans 8:39
Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Allie arrives at Danny's home years ago when his boys are small.  She is a stray. An outdoor cat looking for a home.

Feeling sorry for her, Danny begins feeding Allie outside and makes sure she has fresh water.  The boys are smitten with this gorgeous kitty.  They beg their father to take her in.

"A cat in the house will drive the cockatiel crazy," Danny tells them, "but we can make her a comfortable place in the garage."

Everyone is pleased with the arrangement.  The boys shower Allie with lots of love and attention, making sure she goes outside with them when they play in the yard.

And, Allie seems perfectly happy and content to be where she is, even though it means being separated from the family more often than not.  She grows accustomed to it.

When Danny and I are planning our wedding, we discuss the pet situation.  I am bringing my dog, Maggie, who never met a cat she didn't like, and cat, Jordan, who never met a cat she didn't hate.  We are hoping beyond hope that Jordan will make an exception when it comes to Allie.  Since the bird is no longer with us, we would like nothing better than to have all our pets together.

So much for that hope . . . You can read all about Allie and Jordan's strained relationship here.

So, poor Allie remains in the garage, and Jordan gets the run of the house.  We go out of our way to spend time with Allie, but I think it's never enough.  I hate that she is separated from us, but what alternative do we have?

Then, as many of you already know, we have to put down a very ill and elderly Jordan this past December.  I am heartbroken.  I weep while cleaning her food and water bowls for the last time and bag up her litter pan for the trash.  The house seems so empty without her . . .

Danny offers comfort.  "Let's wait a week or so for Jordan's scent to fade, and then we can try Allie in the house.  What do you say?  Don't you think it would make you feel better about losing Jordan if you had Allie to keep you company?"

"I'm sure it would," I say, "but, after all those years in the garage, will Allie be able to adjust?"

"We won't know unless we give it a try.  I'm game if you are."

I am.  We invite Allie in.  And, this much beloved cat adjusts beautifully!

Indeed, we are blessed!

~

Are you going through the pain of being separated from a loved one?

Will you pray with me?

We are so thankful, Father, that nothing and no one can ever separate us from Your love which is in Your precious Son, Jesus.  Comfort those who cannot be with the people they love at this time.  Reassure them that they are cradled in Your loving arms.  Amen