Learning to Say No

Ike Reeser submitted this quotation:

“Lent is the time for trimming the soul and scraping the sludge off a life turned slipshod. Lent is about taking stock of time, even religious time.  Lent is about exercising the control that enables us to say no to ourselves so that when life turns hard of its own accord we have the stamina to say yes to its twists and turns with faith and hope…. Lent is the time to make new efforts to be what we say we want to be.” - Joan Chittister

Listening: the other half of prayer

A thoughtful post from Joyce Tomblin:

In recent years, and mostly because of the influence of my now departed friend and sister, Cyndi Anderson, I’ve come to better understand my need for regular reflection on my life and the need to be deliberate in setting aside time for it.  For me Lent provides a time for this.  While I grew up thinking that Lent was purely a ritual for Catholic folks, I can see now that was shallow and judgmental thinking on my part.  That change in my thinking has allowed me to look at the customs of others to see how I might benefit from at least the spirit behind the custom.

So for Lent this year, I’m going to try to give up “talking.”  I want to practice more silence, more listening instead of talking – more listening to God, to others and to my own internal voice.  Recently, I heard someone say that prayer is a conversation, and half of a conversation is listening.  I want to do a better job of talking to God and hearing what he has to say, not just telling him how I feel or asking him for what I want.  I think talking to him is important, but hearing from him is definitely as important if not more.

Listening is harder for me, partially because I like to talk.  Sometimes when I’m talking I do benefit from actually hearing what I am saying.  Sometimes I am even convicted to make changes in my life because of what I am hearing myself say.  Wow!  God can even talk to me through me!  But I realize that there is much more to be learned than just what I might say.  So… I need to listen, especially to God as he speaks to me through his word and through others and whatever other ways he might use. 

Dear Lord,

Help me daily to set aside time to be quiet and to listen carefully to all that you have to say to me.  And as I hear you speak, give me courage and strength to obey.

Through Jesus,
Amen 

Blessing in Mourning

When Jesus said "blessed are those who mourn," he was pointing out the fundamental challenge that lies ahead of every disciple.  The growing disciple is one who see the world in all of its messiness and understands that she is implicated as well!  Indeed, it is in the realization of sin that gives way to God's reconstructive work.

Eugene Peterson writes: "A person has to be thoroughly disgusted with the way things are to find the motivation to set out on the Christian way.  As long as we think the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquillity, we are not likely to risk the arduous uncertainties of the life of faith.  A person has to get fed up with the ways of the world before he, before she, acquires an appetite for the world of grace."

It is the world of grace that the disciple longs for!

Your love covers the multitude of my sins.  So when I am fully aware of my sin, when before the justice of heaven only wrath is pronounced upon me, then you are the only person to whom I can escape.  If I try to cover myself against the guilt of sin and the wrath of heaven, I will be driven to madness and despair.  But if I rely on you to cover my sins, I shall find peace and joy.  You suffered and died on the cross to shelter us from our guilt, and take upon yourself the wrath that we deserve.  Let me rest under you, and may you transform me into your likeness.  --Søren Kierkegaard

Kingdom Investments

Malachi 3 records a rhetorical discussion between God and Israel.  God accuses them of robbing him in tithes and offerings.  It caused me to ponder how I might be robbing God.  Do I put His will first?  Am I fully invested in His work?  Am I in the Word enough? Praying enough (His will not my agenda)?  Am I so transformed that His Spirit cannot be missed in my life?

God challenges them to bring in the full offering and to test Him and see if He will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that they will not have room enough for it.  What a glorious picture!

What a beautiful and gracious God to call His people to give and to look for His abundant response.

Father, show us where we are slighting you. Show us where in our lives and as a church we are robbing you.  And call us to give to you first… and more completely: in radical hospitality, in risk-taking mission, in extravagant generosity and passionate worship.
Lord, we trust that when we seek you… we will find you, a great and generous God, full of power and love to transform us for your work in this world. Through Jesus, your great sacrifice, we pray.  Amen.
-Julie Clinebell

Missing the Mark on Sin

Each year that I have observed Lent there has been a new aspect that I have come to appreciate. This year it is the bold and honest call to repentance and confession. It has reminded my how poorly I am "missing the mark" on the way that I deal with, or don't deal with, sin.

At the risk of being facile, here is some of the most common ways I have seen us miss the mark.

1) Politically Correct It - Rather than referring to sinful motives, habits, attitudes, words, etc. as sinful, we deem them as "unhealthy behaviors," "poor decisions," or "mild vices" that are justifiable because we can make light and laugh about that harmless line of gossip or benign overindulgence with eating or shopping. As pluralism's roots get stronger, grow broader, and dig deeper into the soil of postmodern culture, judgment over sin will become less and less acceptable.

2) Politicize It - Rather than finding the biblical passion for righteousness, holiness, and justice, we find our political parties passion for certain sins that define your family values and commitment to a Christian nation. This is not to say that certain issues in the social/political world do not have sinful implications, but when legislation on someone else's choice bothers me more than my own love of money, something is off. (BTW, I would love to see how legislation against loving money would work out! :-)

3) Militarize It - Before we get ready to pick up our Swords of the Spirit and turn them into Clubs for Self-Righteous Bludgeoning of Others, we must be careful of the other extreme. The first two are part of one extreme of ignoring or truncating a biblical perspective on sin. The other extreme (option 3) is using biblical truth to condemn, abuse, and exclude others. Note that the only time Jesus came close to bludgeoning people with condemnation of their sin was towards the lifelong faithful and religiously elite (that would include me and most of the readers of this blog). Just because we want to resist minimizing sin doesn't mean we have to harm others with its truth. This type of extreme with sin concerns itself with the sin in other churches, in other people, but rarely in ourselves.

Though there are a myriad of ways people deal with, or, better, don't deal with, the reality of sin, these are the most common "missing of the marks" that I have seen hiding behind the facade of Christianity.

Lent proposes none of these. Lent does call boldly for repentance and confession, yes. Lent does call for an honest articulation of sin, absolutely. But Lent calls us to do these things with our own hearts, not other people, directly in the crosshairs.

Just take a few moments to pray the "litany of penance," a common prayer used on Ash Wednesday, and see what a biblical assessment of sin looks like:

Most holy and merciful Father:
I confess that I have sinned by my own fault
in thought, word, and deed;
by what I have done, and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved you with my whole heart, and mind, and strength. I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven.
Have mercy on me, Lord.

I have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. I have not been true to the mind of Christ. I have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on me, Lord.

I confess to you, Lord, all my past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of my life.
I confess to you, Lord.

My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people,
I confess to you, Lord.

My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I,
I confess to you, Lord.

My intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty in daily life and work,
I confess to you, Lord.

My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith that is in me,
I confess to you, Lord.

Accept my repentance, Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to human need and suffering, and my indifference to indulgence and curelty,
Accept my repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for my prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from me,
Accept my repentance, Lord.

For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept my repentance Lord.
Restore me, good Lord, and let your anger depart from me,
Favorably hear me for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation,
That I may show forth all your glory in the world.

By the cross of your Son, our Lord,
Bring me with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

(Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

Maybe we need to being with a repentance for the sin of how we have either minimized sin or abused others with judgment over their sin. Then let us use this season, and this prayer, for a time of soul searching, heart piercing repentance that the Spirit may purify us and make us ready to fulfill His purpose for us. Pray this collect that I wrote for such times as these:

"Consuming Fire,

You are pure.

Burn away all my unholy desires, thoughts, words, actions, and attitudes

That I may by wholly yours

By the work of your Spirit in the name of Jesus, Let it be."

Prayer for the Day

For a video form of meditation click here.

Your kingdom come, your will be done.

One of the greatest challenges of following the way of Jesus is learning that our lives are to be given over to God's way.  I am not suggesting that we all become preachers or monks; I am saying that we must be confronted with what it means for us to be whatever we are--mother, father, accountant, salesperson, teacher, friend--as if it were Jesus being that person.

To do so means that we must first let go of our expectations and relinquish our will.  This particular season presents a time to engage with that letting go and receiving God's blessing in being more fully Jesus in our lives.

Here is a prayer from Blaise Pascal that addresses our relinquishment:

O Lord, let me not henceforth desire health or life, except to spend them for Thee, with Thee, and in Thee. Thou alone knowest what is good for me; do, therefore, what seemeth Thee best. Give to me, or take from me; conform my will to Thine; and grant that, with humble and perfect submission, and in holy confidence, I may receive the orders of Thine eternal Providence; and may equally adore all that comes to me from Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preparing for Lent: An Exercise

Shawn Duncan prepared the following exercise for the NL youth group.  I think it has great value for a broad audience:

Preparing for Lent

A guide to help you decide what practices would be most beneficial for you to engage in so that this Lent can be a truly meaningful and transformation season.


Prayer Time:
Begin by setting aside some time to be quiet and undistracted.  This process should not take more than a half hour, but it would be most beneficial if you were not be interrupted.

Once alone and quieted within, pray these prayers carefully.  Do not simply speak the words and move on.  Pray them in such a way that they settle within you and serve as catalysts for further reflection and prayer.


“Search me, O God, and know my heart
  test me and know my anxious thoughts
See if there is any offensive way in me,
  and lead me in the way everlasting.”
~Psalm 132:23-24


“Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in me a new and contrite heart, that I, worthily lamenting my sins and acknowledging my wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen” (The Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

You would also profit from a prayer through Psalm 51.


Thoughtful Examination
If you haven’t already done this, take out a journal, a notebook, or just some loose paper.   In written form, prayerfully reflect on the following questions as a guide for self-examination.  Be open to the Spirit.  Allow the difficult, painful process of examination to happen.  After working through this, formulate a realistic plan that is appropriately challenging for where you are in your spiritual life.


Distractions: What am I doing with my time, energies, talents, and money that is distracting me from a God whose “glory fills the earth” (Isa 6)?  What relationships, hobbies, uses of time are creating too much noise to hear the “still, small whisper” of God (1 Kings 19)?  Do I need to get rid of these things or learn how to use them in a healthy way?  If the latter is true, what does that look like?


Desires: What desires of the flesh (wealth, acceptance, pride, success, beauty, pleasure, the affection of the opposite sex, control over my future etc.) have become more important to me than knowing Jesus and following Him?

Distance: What relationships, attitudes, activities, possessions, etc. are creating distance between me and God?  What are the places in my weekly routines (home, work, school, with friends, etc.) where I feel that God is most absent from my heart and mind?  How can these areas, along with all my life, become more open to a God who is present and working in all places at all times?

Devotion: What simple, yet deliberate and disciplined, routine of devotions can I keep over Lent to empty out the clutter and invite God’s to reign in my life?  Remember that fasting, repentance, giving to those in need, set times of prayer, regular worship are the most common, but not comprehensive, list of practices the church engages in during Lent.


From the Book of Common Prayer, 1979
“I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word.  And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer.”



Finding a spiritual friend or mentor to walk with you through these decisions and through the season would be even more enriching.  Regular conversation about the practices and how God is shaping your life through them could certainly deepen this for you.

Thinking about Lent

Ike passed along a helpful article by Frederica Mathewes-Green,  an author and minister that can be found on  Christianity Today's website.   During our current  series on  5ive Practices of Faithful Congregations, we  are exploring things we do--what we practice.  Mathrewes-Green offers a cogent rationale for certain practices that can accompany the season of Lent as a way of deepening our awareness of God and of our connectedness to others.



Actually, the web article introduces several other web articles.  Take a look at what others are saying about the practice of Lent.

Why "Prepare" for Lent?

It really isn't something we have done historically in our tradition.  So why bother with it?  I have heard these kinds of questions before and it does give me pause.  However, it may be that we are missing something that is so integral to the way of Scripture itself that we fail to take advantage of the  calendar.

Scott McKnight comments on the practice of Lent this way:

"Some (low church) folks roll their eyes when they see that word "Lent" in the title of this post, and other (often high church) folks said, "Ah, yes, something for all of us." The Church calendar is designed to embody the gospel itself on an annual basis: we begin the birth of the Messiah and then through a season called Epiphany and then we move into Lent and Holy Week with focus on Good Friday and Easter, and then we head for Pentecost and the rest of the year is called Ordinary Time. Ordinary Time is designed to focus on various elements of the Christian faith and mission.

How do you prepare for Lent? Or how will you prepare for Lent? Or, from another angle, why do you not prepare for Lent?

Well, some will say, the NT doesn't teach a church calendar and so there's no need for it. To which I (really not "I" but the Church) say, "Hold on, dear friend." God so ordained Israel's life so that it would re-live and embody the great saving events in God's relationship with Israel. So, let's begin right there: God evidently really does care to institutionalize saving events into a calendrical form. The Christians, from very, very early, wisely restructured the calendar to be shaped by the saving events in the life of Jesus."

You can find McKnight's comments here. 

The larger tradition of the church has find great value in re-enacting the great works of God through Jesus Christ.  The practice of Lent gives concrete place in our life for relinquishment, repentance, sober reflection, and recounting the core of our faith.  All in all, these are things that healthy Christians should do--at least on a yearly basis!

I hope that you will take the time to participate in Lenten reflections this year with others.  

This blog will be a simple resource for daily reflection and prayer.  Beginning Ash Wednesday, 17 February, a new post will appear here.  You are invited to come, read, and reflect on the post.  Join us and participate in a virtual community as we move toward Easter!