I have discovered a new and exciting hobby of taking photos and sharing God’s Words as they inspire me to be in complete “AWE” of how great our God is! I hope you enjoy the photos.
What are you doing this weekend? How are you maintaining your sanity during this social-distancing? Humor helps!!
Social Distancing – Days 15 to 30
What’s your plan for what to do differently once we are able to emerge from this COVID-19 challenge? Let’s share ideas.
NoRmAl?
For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? From that time on,…
Good Friday- For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life…?
Good Friday, April 10th, 2020
On this Good Friday, in her devotional Rev. Sam ask readers to look inward at themselves and ask the question; what are you doing in the name of piety and literalism that leads you to the crucifixion and removal of real people, just as the Jews did to Jesus. The Jews did not want the bodies to be left on the crosses mostly because of hurting their “image.” They were also preparing for the Sabbath and to have those bodies, the body of Jesus left hanging would have profaned the sabbath so they made a request to Pilate to have the legs of the crucified broken and to have the bodies removed. My guess is that the Jews also wanted them removed so they could free their own burdens of seeing what they had done. They had crucified the promised Messiah.
During the season of Lent we embark on a journey of self reflection along with Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. When we choose to go on this journey, we are opening ourselves up to new possibilities and a reckoning of self to servanthood with Jesus. It can be easy and natural to develop a narrow view given our limited perspective. But if we are willing to open ourselves up to the power of the Holy Spirit and widen our field of vision to include others, we can grow in ways we never thought possible.
The world pandemic of COVID-19 has in many ways brought the world together for a common purpose. It is through devastating situations such as natural disasters and illnesses, when we see what is true, what is good and people win. Not, countries, nations, ethnic groups, political parties…just people. COVID-19 does not distinguish between race, religion, class, sex, education, rich or poor… We are all God’s children, and when we start seeing the world through the eyes of Jesus, we can more acutely form a theology closer to God’s and the cross. What is your theology? I was once ask that question by someone very dear to me. If I recall, I gave an answer similar to my conversion story. Coming to know God in a personal way, admitting that I am a sinner and God created me with purpose and Jesus died for me. After, reading this devotional today and experiencing Maundy Thursday service I know that my answer was well, incomplete at best. I hope that my theology keeps growing and expanding. It is through our life experiences and conversations with others we continue to more fully live into the life that God created for us. So, the question that Rev. Sam says we must continually ask ourselves is, “For whose sake are we practicing theology?” If it is not for the sake of every beloved child of God, it is not a theology of the cross.
The theology of the Cross or staurology is a term coined by the theologian Martin Luther to refer to theology that posits the cross as the only source of knowledge concerning who God is and how God saves.
References for Theology of the Cross:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology_of_the_Cross
https://opc.org/new_horizons/NH05/10b.html
Theology of the Cross
Practice:
Are the spiritual disciplines you are doing out of obligation, or are they shaping and molding you from the inside out?
Consider finding a Good Friday or stations of the Cross online service to watch.
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️
References:
Good Friday, April 10th, 2020
Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: FEAR
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: FEAR
• an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger
• to be afraid of
• anxious concern
• profound reverence and awe especially toward God
Fear, this is a emotion I have long wrestled with. I have learned that this emotion can be both good and bad. It’s good to have strong instinct to warn you of possible dangers. It is bad if you allow it to overwhelm you to the point of inaction. I have found, though I do not consistently apply said knowledge…I try to understand why I’m afraid, scared or fearful of something. Power is knowledge!
If you find yourself in fear of something, I encourage you to search for the reason why, after finding the facts you may well still be in fear but you will know why.
I know that darkness itself cannot harm me, it is the items and/or persons in the darkness that are potentially harmful to me. But I would still rather have the lights on!
The Bible gives us many examples of the word FEAR:
Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Isaiah 11:2-3
“The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.”
Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Psalm 34:4
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
Prayer:
Grant me Peace, Oh Heavenly Father. Let this fear just fall away, as my heart desires to seek You. For You are the rock of my life, my fortress, and my strength, even when I am weak.
~In Jesus Name Amen
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️
References:
https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/knowledge-power-quotation
Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020
Hello friends—
I have just listened to the Maundy Thursday service that my church posted online. I found it to be extremely moving and motivating, personal and spiritual.
Blessing you during this Easter weekend!
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️
Could you not stay awake with me one hour? Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go…
Maundy Thursday- Could you not stay awake with me one hour?
Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020
So, what is Maundy Thursday and why is it important?
Some people call it Holy Thursday, others as Maundy Thursday. But what does the “Maundy” in “Maundy Thursday” mean? It’s certainly not a commonly-used word or something you’re likely to hear outside the context of Easter. What did this term mean, and where did it come from?
Etymologically, the consensus is that “Maundy” comes from the Latin word Mandatum (itself from the verb Mandare), which is translated “commandment.” * https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2011/04/what-does-maundy-thursday-mean/
If you have never experienced a Maundy Thursday service, you are missing out on a truly humbling experience. It is a service usually consisting of washing one another’s feet, although I have experienced the washing of one another’s hands as well. Both form feelings of vulnerability, at least they did for me. It is uncomfortable because most people are not at ease letting someone else touch their feet; let alone wash them. And, yet this is exactly what Jesus did for the disciples. The King of Kings, became a servant to them and washed their feet.
In this act of humility, Jesus was teaching the disciples. Jesus gave them a new commandment recorded in John 13:34-35
Maundy Thursday is important because Jesus showed us how to be his hands and feet in this world. Just as the disciples spread the word of Jesus and His Kingdom, we too are called to continue the work.
“And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations; and then the end will come.” ~Matthew 24:14
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” ~Mark 16:15
“…and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” ~Luke 24:46-47
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ~Acts 1:8
Practice:
Whose feet do you need to wash? Sing or listen to “The Servant Song” (The Faith We Sing). Consider finding a Maundy Thursday service to watch or listen to during this time of “shelter in place” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trust in God during these difficult days.
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️
References:
https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
What Does “Maundy Thursday” Mean?
https://www.abingdonpress.com/
Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020
Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: MESSAGE
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: MESSAGE
• a communication in writing, in speech, or by signals
• an underlying theme or idea
• a verbal, written, or recorded communication sent to or left for a recipient who cannot be contacted directly
• a significant point or central theme, especially one that has political, social, or moral importance
Thinking about the Bible and all the many stories recorded in it, tells me God has been offering messages since the very beginning. The very creation of the world was the audible voice of God. And, God continues to speak with us today through many different modes of communication and use of messages. I’ve included verses below from Genesis chapter 1, 2 and 3 highlighting the first recorded voices in the Bible. As you continue through the Bible God uses Prophets to rely messages to His people.
The Four Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel
The Twelve Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
The word prophet defines someone who gives the declarations of God. These men and women did not exist for their own glory but for the glory of God. The Hebrew word for prophet is Nebi, which is derived from the verb action, “to bubble forth” like a fountain. The English word for prophet comes from the Greek word prophetes which means to “speak for another, especially one who speaks for a god.”
*Reference: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/who-were-the-major-and-minor-prophets-in-the-bible.html
Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29
“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
“And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
“And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.”
“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.”
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years.”
“And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.”
“And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.”
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
Genesis 2:16-18
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”
These are the first recorded words of man, speaking in the Bible.
Genesis 2:23
“And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
The first recorded words of Lucifer (the serpent) in the Bible, speaking to Eve
Genesis 3:1
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
Eve’s first recorded words in the Bible.
Genesis 3:2-3
“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”
These were the messages of the Old Testament, in the New Testament we receive God’s message through God’s Son, Jesus Christ. He becomes flesh and lived among men.
John 1:1-5,10-11,14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️
References:
https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/who-were-the-major-and-minor-prophets-in-the-bible.html
https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: LOOK
Hebrews 12:2
“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.”
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes (LOOK) to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Merriam-Webster Dictionary: LOOK
• to ascertain by the use of one’s eyes
• to exercise the power of vision upon
• to direct one’s attention
• to gaze in wonder or surprise
The photo above is significant to me because I was visiting a friend, I had not seen in several months. We were celebrating at Universal Studios Florida. It’s a fun photo because we were ask to pose with our hands out with an expression of looking surprised! I think it turned out pretty good. Such fond memories.
As we continue our journey through this Lenten season, looking has become a daily adventure for me. Looking at photos especially for this particular activity my church is hosting online. The other “looking” I am pursuing is inward at myself and my relationship with God and others. I’ve also been looking through my bible at favorite scripture verses as well as looking up passages in my new Bible Commentary. The season of Lent is a journey we take for ourselves and is extremely personal. It is also a communal journey with other believers, as we RELIVE Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. Every year we make this pilgrimage and though the scripture verses and the story remain the same, it is we who change with each passing year. I have celebrated many seasons of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services and not a single one was like another. Jesus remains “The Good Shepherd,” we the sheep of His flock return again and again, each year with new insights and a renewed spirit. I pray that you have heard the voice of your Shepherd this Lenten season. He is calling for you, be still and know!
~ Blessings to you!
ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below.
~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️
References:
https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm
DISCOVER 
You must be logged in to post a comment.