Category: Theology

holy week

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Holy Week this week.

Lent has been different this year for me.  Not as intentional as I’ve been in the past.  Honestly, I tried to give up facebook for the entire 46 days, just to have some extra focus.  Then it turned into just checking it if I needed to, and then just not wasting my time on there.

There are more important things going on around in the world than what your friends are saying on facebook.  That’s for sure.  I value my friends greatly, but more importantly, I value my REAL friends, the ones who are in my life and who pursue me as a friend, and that usually is distinct from facebook.

So much more I COULD say.  But I won’t.

This week is interesting, because it’s so full of the ancient, but also the new.  This goes in the realm of good, and of evil.  It seems the deceiver works extra hard these leading up to Easter days too.  Thinking he still has victory, somehow, someway.

But we have the victory.

Because HE lives.

It’s beautiful.

I’ve often thought about this, but I wondered, why is it that I’ve come to embrace and love the cross so much more as I’ve grown older?  The answer is simple: because I know I need it.  When I was younger, I didn’t see my need for it.  I was “good enough”.  I didn’t really do anything that bad.  But now I know.

Now I know I’m lost without the cross. Without the sacrifice.

This morning I read Matthew’s account of the crucifixion.  And cried.  Matthew 27.  Just the thought of Jesus bearing all the sin of the whole world on his shoulders still makes me weep.  I’m not being overly spiritual here.  Think about it.  The weight of everything we’ve ever done or will do weighing on him.  Pulling down on perfection.  White becoming black with no reason, no cause. Just love.

Humbling.

Why do we still slap him in the face and hurl insults at him today?  We do this through our actions and thoughts.  Every moment.  We are non-holy beings.  How could we ever deserve to be called holy?  Righteous?  Loved?

I plead with you my friends, can we strive to seek him?  Serve him?  Turn away from darkness into light?

Through his grace.  Through his grace alone.

Isaiah 53:3-6
(emphasis mine)

 3 He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care.

 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
   it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins!
5 But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on him
      the sins of us all.

lenten prayers and thoughts

MeridithLeave a comment

“Hope by its very nature captivates both our hearts and heads.  It evokes deep emotion.  It moves in and makes itself at home in our souls.  It takes up residence at the very core of who we are.  That is why it is so vital that we begin to place our hope in the Lord.” -Adam R. Holz

Breathe in me,
O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.

Act in me,
O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too may be holy.

Draw my heart,
O Holy Spirit,
that I love only what is holy.

Strengthen me,
O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.

Guard me, then,
O Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy.

-St. Augustine

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit…
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 32: 1-2, 10-11

“O God, the deathless hope of everyone, we rejoice that you support us both when young and even to old age.  When our strength comes from you, it is strength indeed; but when our own strength is all we have, it is feebleness.  You give refreshment and true strength.” -St. Augustine

“Come Sinners to the Gospel Feast”

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Here are the beautiful words to one of Charles Wesley’s hymns, I don’t know the hymn, but the words are touching, and so rich.  I’ve been reading through a book for the past year or so, divided into 52 weeks with different Wesleyan meditations.  Each lesson includes a different hymn by Charles Wesley; this is one I recently read, then discovered again today, and was touched.

This is the book here, if you are interested, “A Life Shaping Prayer”.

Come, sinners, to the gospel feast;
let every soul be Jesu’s guest;
Ye need not one be left behind,
For God hath bid all humankind.

Sent by my Lord, on you I call;
the invitation is to all:
Come, all the world; come, sinner, thou!
All things in Christ are ready now.

Come, all ye souls by sin oppressed,
Ye restless wanderers after rest,
Ye poor, and maimed, and halt, and blind,
In Christ a hearty welcome find.

This is the time: no more delay!
This is the Lord’s accepted day;
Come thou, this moment, at his call,
And live for him who died for all!

prepare the way

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Prepare the way for the LORD.
A voice.  In the wilderness.
Calling.  Shouting.
PREPARE THE WAY FOR THE LORD!

 

I was reading in Isaiah 40 this morning, actually, I was reading at first in Luke 3, then refrenced back to Isaiah 40… the prophecy of John preaching in the wilderness.

John’s central message was preparation, but part of that preparation was “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”.

The Season of Advent has finished, and we are now in the Season of Christmas.  The central theme of Advent is looking at Christ’s first coming, but looking forward to his second coming is also another theme that is often overlooked or missed.  This morning, I was struck with a question I hadn’t really thought about before…. what does it mean for US to prepare the way of the LORD?  For his second-coming?

Verse 5 in Isaiah 40 talks about the Glory of the LORD being revealed and says, “all people will see it together” in NIV, in another translation it says “and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”.  I still can’t help but think of the second-coming of Christ in this statement.  All people saw the salvation of God in the face of Jesus Christ, but when he comes again, we will ALL see with our own eyes what we’ve lived out in faith.  It also made me think of 1 Corinthians 13, the latter part of the chapter, verse 12,it says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known…”.

Soon we will see it all together.  The Glory of God.  Revealed.  The fulfillment of our faith and salvation in the face, body, and death of Jesus Christ, and in his return for us.  What do you think, what does it look like for us to help prepare the way for the LORD today?

I think Matthew 28:18-20 gives us just a small glimpse of our duty and role

Repentance, Forgiveness, Baptism… same message still today!

Lenten Reflections so far..

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Disclaimer: I am in no way claiming to know everything about everything with Lent, the church year, or any other fasts, I’m just reflecting on some thoughts I’ve had during lent this year.  Enjoy.

Lent is a really beautiful time, full of uniqueness of any other time during the year that I experience.  Growing up I never had any understanding of the traditional Church calendar, only Christmas and Easter being the most significant moments of celebration within the church.  Yet as I’ve grown older, I see that part of the rhythm of life walking with Jesus in my own spiritual journey has let me to see the great significance of the Church calendar, and how it can foster a new understanding of who God is through it.

Some things I’ve read recently through Upper Room, have described Lent as the “awkward” season, which I guess in many ways is true.  Lent is one of the longest fasts during the Church year, which can have many challenges, depending on what type of fast you are doing.  Lent leads us to the cross.  Yet again.  Separate from each Sunday being a celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  We are lead on a journey of sometimes barrenness, cleaning, reflection, prayer, and sometimes great trial.  Saying “no” to the “old man” of sinful nature is never easy.  Fasting from things we enjoy gives us just a taste of the pain Christ endured, but really, can we compare not having meat and diary for 40 days to the suffering and death of Jesus Christ?  Or the sacrifice of video games/sweets/facebook/television.  Seems insignificant to me.  Compared to the cost, yet shows us that at the same time.

This time, I’ve approached Lent differently than other times.  Prior to Lent this year, I realized the depth of my need for being filled by God’s presence and His Holy Spirit, so there have been many things I “cut out” or limited prior to the beginning of Lent this year, which was needed because of the kind of work I do for the Kingdom.  New habits during the day.  New times of worship, praise, refreshment.  I gave up something that actually seemed like it would be “easy”, but has turned out to be really hard… meat.  Who would have thought?  Anyway, instead of focusing on what I would give up, I added in a practice that has really opened my eyes.  I’ve studied the Old Testament a little more deeply, and I’m still stuck in Genesis, but have a much greater understanding than I had before.  All creation and history points us to the cross.

“All God’s plans have the mark of the cross on them, and all His plans have death to self in them”.

This blog isn’t meant to stir a theological discussion, so please don’t take it as that.  God is speaking into our lives each moment, I believe, and drawing us to himself through many of the mundane, typical, every day things that we do.  If I had not been more intentional about knowing him, I can tell you for certain that the difficult things I’ve encountered over the past few weeks would have been handled quite differently if I had not been in the place I’m in today.

Easter is near.  I can’t wait.  Honestly, it is a day I always have looked forward to.  Spring, and new life are all around us, but also the celebration of victory over death, and the new life we have in Jesus Christ.

Well, that’s it for now.  I’m looking forward to the tofu I will be having on my salad for lunch today.  Should be delicious.  I’m actually thinking I may order a steak on Easter, which I don’t think I’ve ordered a steak at a restaurant in years… hummm….

Blessings.

great read on Lent

Meridith1 Comment

Well, back to things that are more important, yet just as exciting, if not more so than The Bachelor…

Glenn Packiam is great.  He was the key-note speaker at a Worship Conference I attended a few weeks ago, and one of the Worship Pastors at New Life Church in Colorado Springs.  Check out his latest blog, on Lent…I wish I could have written it myself!  It was a great read, enjoy!

http://glennpackiam.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/02/why-im-observing-lent-this-year.html

Completely unrelated, check out David Crowder Band’s album “Church Music”… it’s inspiring!  I will admit, it has been a long time since I went to the store and purchased an entire album that had a physical CD with it, but I’m enjoying the tunes FULLY.  It’s very unique for them, but I’m loving every track!

Blessings to you all… all who are thirsty.  I’ll leave you with a great quote from Tozer… “Thirsty hearts are those whose longings have been wakened by the touch of God within them”…may you worship today and be touched by Him.

Colorado, worship, the Kingdom of God

Meridith5 Comments

Goodness, I have so much running around in my brain.  I feel renewed, yet exhausted at the same time.  Is that even possible?  I guess…

I just got back from an amazing Worship Conference in Colorado Springs, at New Life Church.  I didn’t really know what to expect exactly, it’s been years since I’ve gone to a worship conference, especially one of this number!  There were about 3,000 people there, and over 40 States represented.  Each day was filled with great speakers, amazing times of worship, and great fellowship.

I feel emotionally inspired, yet overwhelmed.  God is so big, why do we always forget this?  My passion and calling to worship ministry was deepened during this conference, in a way I can’t really explain.  Worship is something so sacred, and so unexplainable.  There are so many ways worship ministry can be done in church as well, I’ve only seen a few models of worship.  As a worship leader, I’m called to lead, no matter what the circumstances.  I also must speak and guide with boldness, and will conviction.  I need those.

The Kingdom of God.  Also not a light subject.  I have my big paper due on Sunday, and I’ve been trying all day to get another big dent into it, but it hasn’t happened.  Before I left for the conference, I made myself finish at least the first section, now I’m working on the next.  It’s such a hug subject just to put a definition on… ehhh.  Many of you have asked to read it, I’ll post it on my blog as soon as it’s finished.  The pressure of so many people wanting to read the paper also makes me want to perfect it… I’ll try, but I’m only human, so no heavy pressure, ok?

leavin’ on a jet plane

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A week from today, I will be finishing my packing, saying last good-byes, and getting ready to go to the airport.  It’s so weird, honestly, and in many ways it still seems really far away, just because there is so much to do between now and then.

I’m filled with so many emotions, and my heart is pulled and torn so many ways.  I knew this day would come, but it doesn’t make it any easier, and it doe

sn’t make the future seem any clearer, it just gets scarier and makes me more afraid, to be honest.  

I’m also confronted with questions about God, his character, and who he is.  I know that he is so good, and scripturally we know he never will leave us, but I question his involvement in our lives, free will, and how much control he really has in our lives.  I think these are healthy questions to ask, and frankly I don’t have answers for them.  I believe that there are a number of paths to choose for my life at this point, but I do want his best, and I suppose in faith I need to trust in the leading of His spirit inside my heart, and trust his voice.  I knew that peace and his voice when it was time for me to come to Thailand, so I need to trust for that same peace when looking at the future.

Easier said than done.

 

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passions

Meridith1 Comment

What is passion?  How is passion grown in our hearts?  I don’t know the answers to these questions, but as I’ve learned, God reveals in our hearts the things we are passionate about, and often these passions are connected with the gifts we are given, and talents we have.

Passion is often defined as more of an emotional experience we have, but I’ve learned that passion is both an emotion, but also something that can be buried and grown deep in our hearts, and that “emotion” has roots, and is stronger than a passing feeling.

We all know the story Jesus tells about the master who gives his three servants “talents” or coins to invest, and it is the choice of the servant what is done with those gifts.  (The parable is found in two of the Gospels, in Matthew 25:14-30, and Luke 19:12-28).  In this familiar story, we can also see ourselves.  God has given us things in this life, maybe they are material things like money, maybe it is time, maybe it’s a spiritual gift, there are a number of things that could be seen as the “talents” in our lives, and we can choose to be selfish with those things, or we can choose to serve God with those things.  Part of serving God with these things may also look different, maybe it will mean DEVELOPING a certain skill, talent, or gift.

Our God is gracious, but I pose a question that I’m not sure has an answer: if we are given something and don’t do anything with it because we are scared of losing it, or afraid of disappointing God, can that be taken away?  Can we “lose” a passion we have?  A gift or talent we have?  Money?  Time?  Spiritual gift?  I think so.  INVESTING can mean a number of things, but if God has been the one to give us that gift all along, I don’t think we should fear losing it, or more importantly, providing for our needs.  In the parable, the master called the servant “evil and lazy”, or burying his money.  In Luke, the servant of the King said he was afraid because the King was a harsh man, and “severe”.  

I have a number of thoughts about this parable, and also passion, and faith, but time has run out for now.  There will be a “Part 2” coming soon, I have some thoughts to share about how this has impacted me recently.

I’d love to hear your thoughts… I think this is something many of us wrestle with, and it’s nice to know we’re not alone.

Love you all.
Mer

lenten reflections (so far)

MeridithLeave a comment

Here is a website I wanted to share with FAQs about Lent, I thought I’d share: LENT 101.

Let’s be honest, our lives are way too busy.  I’ve felt conviction since I began lent, last Wednesday, because the thing I chose to ‘give up’ has still not created the space I was hoping for to simplify my life.  There’s always something more to be done, and it’s always a never-ending list.  

One author describes lent as being a “heavy season”, in which we are to deal with the attitudes, thoughts, actions, and all the physical and spiritual junk we’ve accumulated in our lives.  Honestly,  I don’t even know where to start.

I encourage you to do your own cleaning out.  Lent is actually where the term and idea of “spring cleaning” came from, and also includes the physical side of our homes, only we should remember to give away things we do not want, and give them to those who are in need.

“Contradictions, sicknss, scruples, spiritual aridity, and all the inner and outer torments are the chisel with which God carves his statues for paradise” -Alphonsus Liguori 

“Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again”.

prayer

“God of mercy, come into the hidden places of our hearts.  Christ of compassion, come into the broken places of our world.  Spirit of life, come into the polluted places of our lives.  Forgive us, heal us, redeem us, lead us from death to eternal life.”

Our father in heaven, holy is your name.  
May your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  
Give us today our daily bread.  
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.  
Lead us not inot temptation, but deliver us from evil.  
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.  
Now and forever.
Amen.