Saturday, April 11th, 2020

John 19:38-40

Today is Saturday, the day after Jesus’ crucifixion and there is grief and loss. The grieving process is different for each person though the stages of it remain relatively the same. From my personal experience grief has had an ebb and flow rhythm to it. Time has helped and the missing is always there, I’m ok with that because I’m no longer afraid of the missing. I have beautiful memories and my heart is full. Rev. Sam talks about the Jewish practice of Shiva when someone dies. And in her devotional today she shares her personal story of loss on page 47. When people are grieving is not the words or the things people say and do, it’s their presence that makes all the difference.

Below is an excerpt from an article I found online at: https://reformjudaism.org/practice/lifecycle-and-rituals/death-mourning/everything-you-need-know-about-jewish-custom-shiva

“The psychological brilliance of Judaism is apparent in its carefully ritualized structure for dealing with grief. The open expression of sorrow is part of the process, even encouraged. Yet, beginning with the family’s arrival at home after burial, a process begins that leads the bereaved gently but firmly back to life and the world of the living.”

“The first stage in this gradual process of healing is called shiva. The period of shiva is intended to see mourners through the first days of intense grief and disorientation; Jewish tradition recognizes that grief continues long after shiva and offers additional rituals to support mourners beyond this initial period of grief.”

Today, let us be mindful of life and death. Our world is currently in the midst of a horrible pandemic and thousands have died due to the illness. Let us lift up in prayer to God all those grieving the loss of a loved one, a beloved member of someone’s family. I recently found out that a family member of mine had lost her husband of 21 years. I cannot attend the service and many people who want to cannot due to the current limitations surrounding COVID-19 and social distancing. As soon as I heard the news I reached out to family members to give me condolences. In times like this we often feel helpless but that is so not true. We always have our prayers, God will hear our prayers. He is our Rock and our Redeemer. I know my cousins will be ok, they believe in God and in His Love. We all know that Dave is with the Lord and we will see him again. The grieving is…our hearts will miss him.

“I thought I could describe a state; make a map of sorrow. Sorrow, however, turns out to be not a state but a process.”

—C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed

Practice:

Be in contact with someone grieving. If you need words, try: “God is with you. So am I. What do you need?”

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️

References:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.abingdonpress.com/

Saturday, April 11th, 2020

Photo-a-Day Challenge Word for today is: WAIT

Hello friends—

When I read the word for today, my mind filled with lots of things related to waiting. The video I posted is from a minor accident I was in this past winter. If you look closely, the clock shows 6:13. It was early one morning and I was driving to pick up my aunt for a doctors appointment. I was only about 5 miles from her house when I slid into a small ditch. I was so upset with myself for not being more careful. Luckily I have a cousin with a garage and towing service! Thank God, no injuries and no damages to the car or the ditch! So after all this I was still able to pick my aunt up and make it to the appointment only to find out it was cancelled due to the weather. Have you ever heard if the term,”Hurry up and wait.” That’s exactly how I felt that day. Did you know the phrase can be found in the dictionary? I googled it and this is what I found:

That was a fun story to tell about waiting.

To a more poignant story of waiting is the very first Easter weekend, so long ago. Today I exchanged text messages with a friend and we talked about how this year will be so different compared to past Easter celebrations. No family gathering with a meal and time spent with loved ones because the majority of people around the world are dealing with COVID-19 and social isolation. I began to think about how the disciples must have dealt with their first Easter weekend. They too were experiencing a different kind of Passover celebration from previous years gone by. Their teacher, their friend and their Lord had just been crucified, killed and sealed in a tomb. I am picturing John, Mary, the mother of Jesus and her sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene standing at the foot of the cross watching the horrible crucifixion of their beloved. Not only did they watch but had to wait to receive Jesus’ body for a proper burial. Such loss is unimaginable. I am sure they experienced many emotions over that weekend. Yes, this year is going to be different and even difficult, I strongly suggest to dwell in the memories of the past and plan for meaningful times in the future. Know that you are not alone, you are never alone because of the cross and Jesus’ victory over death. I invite you to image what that Friday night and Saturday were like so long ago…can you fathom just how much Jesus loves you? We know the rest of the story, don’t rush to Sunday, live into Saturday, seek God and the Holy Spirit to sustain you and when Sunday comes let loose, Christ is RISEN!

Friends, it has been a joy to share this Lenten season with you. May God cover you with His everlasting Love now and forevermore. ~Peace

ειρήνη – “Peace” in Greek, reference listed the below. 

~Peace~ειρήνη~Charlotte 🌻🙏🏻❣️☀️

References:

https://disciples.org/

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

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:

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.abingdonpress.com/

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://disciples.org/

https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/knowledge-power-quotation

https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://biblehub.com/greek/1515.htm

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

https://www.biblegateway.com/

What Does “Maundy Thursday” Mean?

https://www.abingdonpress.com/