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Lent Day 27

11 Mar

Dear God, I want to start again by praying for my couple friend where the wife is very sick. I spent a lot of time praying for them last night during a sweet worship service at our church. Oh, Father, please be merciful. Oh, Jesus, please be merciful. Oh, Holy Spirit, please be merciful. Show their friends and family how to love them. Heal her. Give her strength. Support him. Give him strength. Support their children. Give them strength. Father, show me what you would have me to do for them.

While I am here, I have the three women who work with me who were pregnant. Two have now had their babies and one is still due in September. Please take care of all three mothers and their babies. And prepare their siblings for their new roles and big brothers. And for my friend pregnant with triplets, please protect her babies and her. Please protect all of them.

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer:

  • AM Psalm: 89:1-18
  • PM Psalm: 89:19-52
  • Jeremiah 16:10-21
  • John 6:1-15
  • Romans 7:1-12

Psalm 89 – Wow, this really took a turn. It was all happy and worshipful until verse 38 when it starts talking about you forsaking David. Was this during Absalom’s uprising? I don’t know. But it’s interesting. Of course, you never broke your promise to David. It just didn’t look like it in the moment. We can almost never see what you are doing in the moment.

Jeremiah 16:10-21 – I heard Father Mike Schmitz point out one time that after the exile, the Israelites really didn’t have a problem with idol worship anymore. Yes, the Pharisees were very legalistic by the time Jesus came along, but (and this is me, not Father Schmitz, talking) this almost seems like a kickback reaction to the Israelites being unfaithful and exiled. An accepting of the words of prophets like Jeremiah by them generations later.

John 6:1-15 – I wish we knew more about Andrew. It seems like every story about him is sweet and positive. I need to spend some more time with him at some point. In this story, he is the one who found the boy with the bread and the fish. He didn’t know how it could work, but he somehow saw the potential in it when the others saw impossibility. I think back to Andrew following John the Baptist and switching to Jesus. I think about him recruiting his brother Peter. I think about how brothers can often be opposites, and these two seem like opposites. Yeah, I like Andrew a lot.

Romans 7:1-12 – I wonder what Paul coveted. Much like I know the vices of my heart, Paul knew the vices of his own heart, and here he reveals that coveting was high on his list of personal vices. I also read this and think about someone I know who walked away from you because they decided it was easier to get rid of the “rule maker” to deal with the guilt of their sin rather than address it and accept your grace for themself.

Father, as I get ready to go into this day, help me to walk with your grace. Help me to remember the suffering of those around me, pray for them, and then serve in some way. I worship you as my Lord and my God.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 11, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 25

09 Mar

Dear God, I went with my wife last night to a presentation of “God’s Megaphone: A Visit with C.S. Lewis” by Steven Fenley at our local community theater. It was terrific and inspired me to get back into some of Mr. Lewis’s writings and also some of my own projects that are related to his work.

Of course, it started with The Problem of Pain, which Lewis called God’s megaphone to us. Then it went from there touching on a number of his works including The Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, and others. I’m so glad I went. Thank you for last night.

Now, as far as today goes, I am delighted to be here continue my Lenten journey using Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. Okay. You know that isn’t true. I’m not really delighted. It’s Saturday morning, and I’m feeling a little slothful. I’d love to kick back, make myself a big breakfast, and then watch some YouTube videos or find another way to just disengage my mind and “veg out.” But I know I need you. I know I need this. I’ve made this commitment to do this before I do anything else to start my day, so here I am. I know I need you. I know I need to worship you. I know it’s for my good. And it has been for my good over these previous 24 days. So I embrace it now, and, even as I finish typing this paragraph, am finding myself ready to connect with the Holy Spirit within me and spend some time with you.

  • AM Psalms: 87, 90
  • PM Psalm: 136
  • Jeremiah 13:1-11
  • John 8:47-59
  • Romans 6:12-23

Psalms 87, 90 – “I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me–Philisita too, and Tyre, along with Cush–and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion'” Yes, Father, thanks to you, I am born in Zion. I was listening to Mr. Fenley’s C.S. Lewis presentation I mentioned earlier last night, and he mentioned there are all of these little references wrapped throughout the Old Testament referring to the idea that one day your Kingdom will be for the Gentiles too. And then I get this passage from Psalm 87 this morning. Yes, through Jesus, I was born in Zion as well. Thank you! And I have to mention Psalm 90 since it is a psalm of Moses and mentions how fleeting our lives are. Moses gave up a comfortable life twice for the people of Israel. Once when he was 40 when he made a mistake but for the right reason and once when he was 80 and he responded to your call. His days were not easy, but you used him. Use me, Father, however you will.

Psalm 136 – What strikes me about this is the record of everything you have done to bless Israel. The recounting of your glory and provision. I need to do this more. I need to reflect more on everything you have done for me. Your love endures forever.

Jeremiah 13:1-11 – I have two thoughts about this story. One, you gave Jeremiah these instructions one at a time. He was ignorant of the next step until you told him what the next step was. His task was to just be obedient in the next thing you were telling him to do regardless of why or how much he understood. The second is the obvious. You were there with the Israelites. It’s obvious you hadn’t left because you were still there talking to Jeremiah and giving him to them as a prophet, but you were useless to them because their lives and decisions had made you useless. Oh, help me to not render you useless in my life.

John 8:47-59 – Following up on the passage from Jeremiah, this line from Jesus strikes me: “My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him.” At this point in their lives, you were among them and with them, but you were useless to them because they could not see you and did not know you. Oh, Father, help me to know you as much as is humanly possible.

Romans 6:12-23 – This passages brings it all home for my Lenten journey. I am only able to be here this morning because of what Jesus did. I am here because you sent a piece of your nature here to earth to live as fully man and fully God, teach me, die, and the come back to life. And to go back to Lewis, I cannot believe that the resurrection didn’t happen without discounting the entire Jesus story. He was either liar, lunatic, or Lord. Jesus, you are Lord.

Father, I thank you. I worship you. I submit myself to you. Make me salt in your world. Make me a source of love in your world. Oh, Lord, show me what to do one step at a time. Keep me ignorant if my knowledge and human wisdom will get in your way.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,p

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 9, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 24

08 Mar

Dear God, I was listening to a podcast yesterday that talked about the “gift of disillusionment.” Usually, I think of disillusionment as a negative thing, but the person being interviewed pointed out that it is actually the act of believing the illusion that is bad and being disillusioned can be good. The problem is that when we become disillusioned there is usually anger, hurt, and sorrow–mourning–that accompanies it and, if I don’t deal with it correctly, it can leave a hole in me. Several years ago, I went through a disillusionment process with parenting. I knew that I couldn’t control how things would go with my children, but at some level I believed if I followed the right formula I would be protected at some level. I was talking about it with a pastor friend one time and he told me, “It’s hard when we are disappointed in God.” Yes! That was it. Disappointed in you. I had an illusion of what life as a dad would be if I followed you faithfully and did the best I could with my children, but then it didn’t work out the way I hoped, and the truth of who you are and the reality of what you don’t do to override free will became clear. Thankfully, I was able to heal from this, although I still have some sorry, hurt, and anger.

So here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer:

  • AM Psalm: 88
  • PM Psalms: 91, 92
  • Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20
  • John 8:33-47
  • Romans: 6:1-11

Psalm 88 – Speaking of becoming disillusioned. the Sons of Korah here are really feeling it. They feel abandoned by you. They feel like you have heaped misfortune upon them. I can feel their pain. I can relate to their pain. I can also, now that I’ve come through the other side of some pain and worked with you through it, realize that their assignment of these things to you is in error. You didn’t do this. You didn’t fail them. You were with them, even as they wrote that psalm.

Psalms 91, 92 – So Psalm 91 seems to be part of the illusion. I hope it’s not blasphemous for me to say that. But I just don’t believe this line (and the others like it): “If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the LORD, who is my refuge–then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.” I heard one time that Jimmy Stewart was inspired by the psalm as he served on a bomber in World War II. I’m sorry, but I think the protection you give me is on an eternal scale, but not necessarily what I would want for my earthly life. Yes, I give you credit for all the good in my life. I thank you for it. But part of my disillusionment is I no longer expect you to save me from the rain. I’m just looking for you to comfort me when the rain falls. To that end, Psalm 92 makes a lot more sense to me.

Jeremiah 11:1-8, 14-20 – Following my disillusion theme, Jeremiah certainly got disillusioned of the idea that he had the right to a happy, peaceful, fruitful earthly life by following you. You had a tough row for him to hoe. You needed him and he gave himself up to you. The other thing I notice relates to Christian Nationalism in our own country right now. Christians, in my opinion, are making an idol out of governmental entities and expecting them to do the work that Christians should be doing at the grassroots level. But Israel had all of the laws from the government. What they didn’t have were the hearts. You were calling for the Israelites to repent as individuals, not as a government. I saw an interview about some people trying to make moral movies outside of the Hollywood system because of it’s liberal bent, but even when they talk of Hollywood they don’t speak out of Christian love and concern for them. It’s “us against them.” It makes me so sad that your church has lost its love for the lost. Instead, the lost are our enemies and they must be subdued through strength, power, and force. It breaks my heart.

John 8:33-47 – There is a lot here about Jesus being who he said he was. I’ve said before that, for John’s Gospel, you have to believe the first 15 verses of chapter one. If you don’t, then Jesus is either a lunatic or a liar. But if those first 15 verses are true, then he is, indeed, who he says he is. Jesus, I’m cheating because I have 2,000 years of history to use as well as well-organized Scripture to read and good teaching to learn from, but I nonetheless believe you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

Romans 6:1-11 – I’ll admit that doing this Lenten focus on spending the extra time with you every single day over the last three and a half weeks has made a difference in me. I’ve responded to some hard things differently than I have in the past. The vices with which I struggle seem far away. I’m grateful that I am not a slave to sin because you, the Son, have set me free from it. I know I still sin. I will sin today. But there is still a freedom you give me that enables me to share love with others.

Father, I offer you this day. Live through me. Love through me. Speak through me. And teach me. Correct me. Guide me. Use your Holy Spirit to form me into the man you need me to be.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 8, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 23

07 Mar

Dear God, I have two coworkers who might be delivering babies today. One I know is. The other I’m not sure. We’ve prayed for them. I’ve prayed for them. I lift them up to you now. Be with these babies, their parents, and everyone involved in their lives. And help our work to know how to work around their absence while they are out with their babies for these first several weeks.

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer:

  • AM Psalms: 42, 43
  • PM Psalms: 85, 86
  • Jeremiah 10:11-24
  • John 8:21-32
  • Romans 5:12-21

Psalms 42, 43 – “Why are you downcast, O my soul? why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” These words were in both of these psalms, and I appreciate them. I woke up this morning a bit troubled. Could be some frustrations from work. Could be frustrations with a family thing. And I wish it was as easy as turning the switch that the Sons of Korah encourage here. I do put my hope in you, but I also mourn and have sorrow. But as I go into this day, help me to remember at each moment for whom I am living. I am living for you, O God.

Psalms 85, 86 – Psalm 85 is a lot about looking to be restored to you like previous generations were restored to you. David wrote Psalm 86, and I think it is refreshing to see him publish his insecurities and frustrations for all to see. Someone was once reading the prayer journals I write here and asked if I was okay. I told them that I really was, and to try writing down their own prayers. They will be amazed at what comes out. It’s actually very therapeutic. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being with me up close and personal in these times, encouraging me and guiding me. Comforting me.

Jeremiah 10:11-24 – A lot of this is about the coming exile for Judah and the collapse of everything. But Jeremiah’s prayer at the end captures my attention: “I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, LORD, but only with justice–not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.” I am truly at your mercy, LORD. I have greatly sinned. In my thoughts and in my words. In what I have done and what I have failed to do. Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Have mercy on me, O LORD.

John 8:21-32 – Reading this passage, Father, just confirms to me that I would not have had time for Jesus in my life had I been alive and around him at that time. I’m sorry for that. He is a stone that would have made me stumble; a rock that would have made me fall.

Romans 5:12-21 – This just reminds me why I’m here and doing this for Lent. I am feeling my sin. I am feeling the depths of my depravity. But I am also being reminded that this is the reason you came, Jesus. You came, lived, taught, prayed for me, died, and then were resurrected for the depths of my sin.

Father, I have victory in Jesus, my Savior forever. Thank you.

I offer all of myself, including this prayer, to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 7, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 22

06 Mar

Dear God, I now have two friends I’ve talked with this week who are experiencing marital difficulties. I know I mentioned one of them yesterday. I texted with a second last night. Life is hard, and our human frailty makes it harder. Help me to be what you need me to be for my wife. I was listening to a podcast yesterday that talked about strained relationships with adult children. And while I can appreciate and relate to that, how many more have strained marriages or are divorced. Oh, Jesus, we need your healing. Oh, Holy Spirit, we need your counsel and your comfort. Oh, Father, we need your love and acceptance. Thank you for making all of that available to us.

Here are the verses for today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 119:97-120
  • PM Psalms: 81, 82
  • Jeremiah 8:18-9:6
  • John 8:12-20
  • Romans 5:1-11

Psalm 119:97-120 – As I think about the author of this psalm, I wonder about what parts of scripture he (assuming it was a “he”) had available to him at this time. The books of Moses? Maybe Joshua and Judges. Job? Probably not Ruth or 1 & 2 Samuel. So much of what he knew of you was “law.” And he loved you so that’s what he meditated on. Your law. That’s how he entered into knowing you. By knowing what you wanted from/for him. How do I enter into knowing you? Fortunately, I have a much more complete picture of you because I have both the Old and New Testaments. I have the advantage of learning lessons–paradigm-shifting lessons–Jesus taught.

Jeremiah 8:18-9:6 – “My sorrow is beyond healing, My heart is faint within me!” This is the translation from the New American Standard and pretty close to the New Living Translation. I’ve been using the NIV for this Lenten season, but it had a note that the meaning of the original Hebrew was vague for the very beginning. It translated verse 18 as, “O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me!” I like calling you my “Comforter in sorrow.” I need to remember that.

John 8:12-20 – The Pharisees had a lot of problems and things wrong with them, but I sympathize with their situation. How were they to know? I certainly wouldn’t have known. But they were also very focused on maintaining their cultural structures. They needed to maintain the influence they had and the standing Judaism had within the current world order of Rome being in charge. Jesus was bothering that construct as well and their ability to see him for who he was ended up being tainted by their desires for self-preservation.

Romans 5:1-11 – Jesus, my reconciler with the Father, thank you!

Father, I am so grateful to be able to be here this morning, worshipping you, meditating on the words that have come through the efforts of so many people starting with those who originally wrote them. I am grateful for the redemption of my soul through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. I am grateful for the laws you gave us so that we might have a chance at the fruits of your Spirit growing in our souls. I am grateful for my wife, my children, my job, my friends, my coworkers, my community, my state, my country, and this world. I am grateful that you meet with me here this morning, your Holy Spirit possessing me and loving me. I offer all that I am to you.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 6, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 21

05 Mar

Dear God, it’s voting day and I am here a little extra early so I can go vote before work. I’m not so much worried about the national or state-wide elections, but more the local elections (sheriff, state representative, county attorney, etc.). Whatever happens today, I put my faith in you and not the candidates who win or lose. You are my God. They are not.

I visited with a friend last night who is having marital problems. We’ve been talking about the same thing for years. Honestly, and maybe I was wrong about this, but I couldn’t help but wonder if both of them wouldn’t be better off without each other. It was a hard conversation for me, and I am not sure I did or said the right things. Please guide my friend through this process. And while I’m praying for others, I want to mention a deacon at our church and his wife. He is facing a grave health situation, and I pray that you will care for him and comfort him. Please comfort his wife and care for her as well through your body.

Here are the passages for today from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 78:1-39
  • PM Psalm: 78:40-72
  • Jeremiah 7:21-34
  • John 7:37-52
  • Romans 4:13-25

Psalm 78 (I’m just going to do the whole psalm this morning since I always neglect reading the PM psalm in the evening) – This is an interesting history for Israel up through David. I wonder if they sang this or just read it as poetry. I’m always fascinated that the Israelite historians capture at least most of the bad with the good. I don’t know what they left out, but what they included in the bad is impressively bad (including David impregnating a woman and killing her husband). Thank you for this gift.

Jeremiah 7:21-34 – More negative storytelling about the Israelites. But poor Jeremiah. Oh, how my life is so much better than his. I do feel bad for prophets like him and Hosea who had to live truly sacrificial lives. It’s amazing what they had to endure. Why do I ever complain? You have been so good to me.

John 7:37-52 – First, I’ll go back to what I said yesterday about everyone disagreeing about who Jesus was, but, in the end, they were all wrong. No one understood who he was–even those who believed he was the Messiah. Second, here’s our second Nicodemus story. Our little closet Jesus follower also had no idea what Jesus was about to do, but when Jesus is crucified Nicodemus will step up and show his love for Jesus in an amazing way.

Romans 4:13-25 – “[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Thank you.

Father, walk with me today. Live through me today. Again, help my friend struggling in marriage. Guide beyond any advice or counsel I gave yesterday. It’s on my heart this morning. Please help both of them.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 5, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 20

04 Mar

Dear God, we adopted a dog three days ago, and I have never been around a dog so scared and timid. We got her from a shelter after she had been there four months. They’ve had a hard time adopting her out because she wouldn’t bond with people while they were there. My wife and I decided to give her the patient love she needs. But it’s been wild to see just how untrusting she is. I spent an hour and a half in the backseat of the car yesterday with her loving on her while we went to visit my sister, and yet as soon as we get out of that situation she stops trusting me again. This will take a while. Is this how some people respond to you? The church or a parent hurt them and they cannot trust you? Do you hold that against them, or do you wait patiently with your hand out beckoning them to come?

Here are today’s passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 80
  • PM Psalms: 77, 79
  • Jeremiah 7:1-15
  • John 7:14-36
  • Romans 4:1-12

Psalm 80 and Jeremiah 7:1-15 – I’m going to combine these because they made me think of the same thing while I was reading them (that’s probably why they were put together for today’s readings). I couldn’t help but think of Christians (or some who are conservative Republicans who have claimed the label Christian without actually knowing what that means or being a disciple) who want to call the nation to be these things, but they want to do it from power and force. That strategy is not in here anywhere. You aren’t saying that they Israelites need more laws. You’re saying that they need to be persuaded from the bottom up, starting with the psalmist (in this case, Asaph) and Jeremiah. They need to be warned. They need to be loved. They need to be called to you. I was talking with someone Saturday morning about the Church as an institution, and she was saying that like all institutions it needs to have a certain size so that it can be effective. I countered that the difference between the Church and other institutions is that as soon as it starts thinking about size it starts to act like the world and the opposite of what Jesus taught.

John 7:14-36 – As I read this passage I think about those who didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah and those who did–they were both wrong. Those who didn’t believe were obviously wrong (and I’d have probably been in that group if I’d have been there at the time) and the group that believe was wrong because they thought they were getting a leader to conquer and kill. To quote Michael Card in his song, “They were looking for a king to conquer and to kill. Who’d have ever thought he’d be so meek and humble?” (“Scandalon” by Michael Card).

Romans 4:1-12 – I don’t know how wide the net of Jesus’s act of sacrifice and resurrection gets cast. In the analogy of our new dog who does not trust because of what has been baked into her past, do you make that allowance for the person who is so damaged by life that they can’t bring themselves to trust you?

Father, be with me today. My soul is unsettled as I get ready for work. There is a lot to do today, both in my activities and the relationships that must me addressed. Help me be exactly who you need me to be today.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 18

02 Mar

Dear God, I have a couple of important visits with people today. One is breakfast and one is lunch. Oh, God, speak to me and make me who you need me to be today. Help me to be discerning about when I should speak and when I shouldn’t. And help me figure out what to say.

So here are the verses today in Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalms: 75, 76
  • PM Psalms: 23, 27
  • Jeremiah 5:20-31
  • John 7:1-13
  • Romans 3:19-31

Dear God, I just have to start with this. I know it’s a PM psalm, but I came across something two years ago for the 23rd Psalm that I loved.

“Here in the Psalm” by Sally Fisher

I am a sheep
and I like it
because the grass
I lie down in
feels good and the still
waters are restful and right
there if I’m thirsty
and though some valleys
are very chilly there is a long
rod that prods me so I
direct my hooves
the right way
though today
I’m trying hard
to sit at a table
because it’s expected
required really
and my enemies—
it turns out I have enemies—
are watching me eat and
spill my drink
but I don’t worry because
all my enemies do
is watch and I know
I’m safe if I will
just do my best
as I sit on this chair
that wobbles a bit
in the grass
on the side of a hill.

“Here In The Psalm” by Sally Fisher from Good Question. © Bright Hills Press, 2016.

There is so much I like about this. First, it’s one thing to say you are my shepherd, but it’s another thing to own the identity as your helpless lamb: “I am a sheep and I like it.” Right off the bat, I am entering this common story through a different lens. Then, well, it’s just everything. Water is easy to reach. Protection from my enemies (it turns out I have enemies). Just lovely.

Now, for the other passages.

Psalm 75, 76 – These are just straight praise psalms. I try to picture their author, Asaph, writing them. Just writing down his worship of you. Amen.

Jeremiah 5:20-31 – Verses 30 and 31: “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” It’s the line, “…and my people love it this way.” Oh, Father, help me to hear and seek your voice and your voice alone for my counsel and my authority. Yes, you put others in authority over me. Help me to discern when it is you speaking and when it is them. Help me to find joy in your commands and rest in your peace.

John 7:1-13 – What a story. Such open conflict between Jesus and his brothers. And the people didn’t know what to think of Jesus. But I can guarantee none of them thought he was eventually going to willingly be crucified as a sacrifice for them. Those who believed thought he was going to lead Israel. Those who didn’t thought he was a false prophet. I’m convinced that absolutely no one understood what was really going on. And Jesus’s brothers goading him was just another thing he had to deal with.

Romans 3:19-31 – “Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too…” Oh, thank you for the grace of including me in your family. As your child. Oh, thank you.

I offer you all of these things and the two meals I am having with others today as a sacrifice to you. Help me to do and say (or not say) whatever you need me to regardless of what it costs me.

I offer this prayer to you and my worship in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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Lent Day 17

01 Mar

Dear God, It’s been a hard nine days or so. Seems like it started last Wednesday. Very little good news compared with the challenges. It’s maxing out my capacity for compassion and patience. It makes me wonder if I’m leaning on myself to generate compassion and patience instead of looking for it to grow out of me from the Holy Spirit. Is there a time when a Spirit-filled person can still run out of compassion and patience? I suppose Jesus did every once in a while. Love is not “easily” angered (1 Corinthians 13). Maybe I’m being too hard on myself. Very grateful I’ve been digging into the Lenten journey. I spoke with a dear woman who is a friend/volunteer, almost 80 and very spiritual yesterday. I’ve told her this. “You’ve heard the phrase resting b**** face. Well, you have resting joy face.” Anyway, I brought up Lent and, having grown up Baptist as did I, she saw it as an empty ritual that started with the Catholic church and she had no need for it. I think I was able to convince her to maybe try to see it in a different light.

With all of that said, let’s get into today’s readings from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 69
  • PM Psalm: 73
  • Jeremiah 5:1-9
  • John 5:30-47
  • Romans 2:25-3:18

Psalm 69 – This was a GREAT psalm. I have a few things to say about it. First, I feel better about what I wrote at the beginning of this. It seems that David is in a similar place where I am. And while he writes psalms, I write these prayers to you. I worship you in this way. Second, it is interesting that David was estranged from his brothers. I guess it makes sense, but it’s still sad. Third, as he writes for the destruction of his enemies, I wonder how his prayer changed for Absalom. David was devastated when Absalom was killed in the rebellion he led against him. It’s so different when it is your child. Oh, how we long for our children to be happy and to be in relationship with them.

Jeremiah 5:1-9 – Verse 1 struck me: “go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive the city.” Let me be a person through the life I offer to you that brings peace to this city and your favor/forgiveness.

John 5:30-47 – Verse 39-40 struck me: “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” May everything I absorb from the Scriptures point me to you, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

Romans 2:25-3:18 – Verse 3:28-29 struck me: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” Oh, Lord, let my heart be completely circumcised and submitted to you. Let me see not the praise of people, but your praise and smile alone.

I am here to walk with you today, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Help me to do it well and to hear your still small voice.

I offer this prayer to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirt, my Father,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 1, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

Lent Day 16

29 Feb

Dear God, there is so much going on today. With my wife. With my children. With my job. With things outside of my job. This particular day is very full, and my heart is unsettled. Oh, Lord, help me to rest in you. Help me to mercifully love. Help me to keep no record of wrongs, but give the grace to others that you give to me. Help me to comfort. Help me to apologize appropriately. Help me to experience your peace and minister your peace. And help me to simply get the work done that is before me.

With that said, here are the passages you have for me today through Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalms: 70, 71
  • PM Psalm: 74
  • Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28
  • John 5:19-29
  • Romans 2:12-24

Psalms 70 and 71 – David had more enemies that I do. Sure, he was the king. People within the kingdom and outside of the kingdom were after him. Even before he was king, anyone who felt threatened by him made themselves his enemy. I’m grateful I don’t have enemies like this in my simple life. Not that I want to avoid enemies if I happen to have them because of my love for and service to you, but I’m grateful I haven’t had to draw that line too many times yet (although there are some who consider me their enemy).

Jeremiah 4:9-10, 19-28 – I have to tell you, these passages today are depressing me. Maybe it’s because there are a couple of issues on my heart that are really distressing me, but I am having difficulty reading these verses this morning. I am sorry that you have experienced and even allowed yourself to experience so much anguish as well. I know your people cause you anguish. I know I cause you anguish. What I feel right now is nothing compared with what you feel with our rejection and rebellion. I am sorry for any anguish I cause you.

John 5:19-29 – Jesus’s judgment is a scary thing. Not that I am scared. I am grateful for Jesus in my life. For the Holy Spirit. For you, Father. And I don’t totally understand how this all works out or where the “cut line” is between eternity with you and eternity without you. I don’t know what the afterlife looks like. But I know that Jesus was more frustrated on a day-to-day basis with the people in the church than he was with the people outside of the church. On the day of his crucifixion, he was likely more frustrated with Caiaphas than he was Pilate or Herod. That doesn’t mean that Pilate and Herod will make the cut. I don’t know how you will do that. But I do know that I am delighted to love and serve you because you bring light into darkness. And this is your world.

Romans 2:12-24 – Let no one blaspheme you because of my actions. Please keep me from that. I am sure I have done things that have caused others to reject you. I am sorry. I can think of one person in particular who seems to have rejected you because of me. Please heal that wound and help that person find you on a path that is completely separate from me.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on February 29, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Psalms, Romans

 

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