Saturday, March 8 – Changed by life!

Tomorrow is the First Sunday in Lent.  Read ahead through the eleventh chapter of John.  Jesus raises his friend Lazarus from death...and seals his own death in the minds of his opponents.  We will also dedicate the new processional cross during worship.

What gives life to your dead times?  Does this change you?

Read the whole chapter and ask yourself the following questions:

1)  What word, phrase or image lingers in my thoughts?

2)  Where/How does this chapter connect with my life?

3)  What does God want me to do or be in response to his Word?

Friday, March 7 – World Day of Prayer

I pray that they may all be one. Father! May they be in us, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they be one, so that the world will believe that you sent me. –John 17:21 (TEV)

Today is World Day of Prayer...a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.

• It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.  The first Friday of March is the annual day of celebration – to which all people are welcome.

• It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.

Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. The motto: “Informed Prayer & Prayerful Action”.

God of all, Jesus told us to ask and we will receive.  Open our ears so we may receive your word and be wise in our asking, seeking, & knocking.  Open the door...of life...together.

Thursday, March 6 – The Lord is MY shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd;
         I have everything I need.
² He lets me rest in fields of green grass
         and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.
³ He gives me new strength.
         He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised.
⁴ Even if I go through the deepest darkness,
         I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me.
         Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.
⁵ You prepare a banquet for me,
         where all my enemies can see me;
 you welcome me as an honored guest
         and fill my cup to the brim.
⁶ I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;
         and your house will be my home as long as I live.
                                                                       –Psalm 23:1-6 (TEV)

A different version to spark deeper appreciation...

Shepherd of my soul, lead me, guide me, provide for me... everything I need...always by your gentle, eternal grace.

Wednesday, March 5 – Ash Wednesday

I am the good shepherd. As the Father knows me and I know the Father, in the same way I know my sheep and they know me. And I am willing to die for them. –John 10:14 (TEV)

Tonight we will be reminded that “You are dust and to dust you shall return” as we “impose” ashes on one another’s foreheads.

One day we will die and our earthly life will be over. 

But the Good Shepherd was not only willing...but did lay down his life for his sheep—you and me.

What a wonderful reminder along with the reminder of our mortality.  Tonight we are also reminded of our immortality because we follow the Good Shepherd...into life eternal!

Lord Jesus, I am forever grateful for your shepherd’s love which led you to lead me into eternal pastures.

Tuesday, March 4 – Fat Tuesday

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.   –Hebrews 12:1-2 (NRSV)

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday.  Another name for this day is Shrove Tuesday.  Shrove is the past tense of the English verb, shrive, referring to absolution of one’s sins following confession & penance. Thus Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the custom of Christians being shriven before the beginning of Lent.

What do you need to be shriven of?  Where is there excess “fat” in your life?  I have a “front pack” which needs to be removed (or at least reduced :)).  I also have other kinds of “fat” that I could lose.  Today I’ll think about it.  Tomorrow I’ll begin to do something about it.

Create in me a clean heart...mind...imagination...body...and soul.  Give me courage & strength to let go of the ‘fat’ that so easily clings.