Darkness and Light

Lent Begins

d365.org Presence of God  (Daniel Ingram)
Long after the sun sets, its light remains in the reflection of the moon and the living things nourished by its warmth.  Close your eyes for just a moment. In this present darkness, be reminded that you are never alone. Feel God's presence already with you, calling you forward.  When you are ready, open your eyes and heart, and take these first steps in the journey to the cross.

SATURDAY, February 16  "Agent for God"

2 Corinthians 5:20-21  (The Message)

We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.   How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

     The thought that I am a representative of Christ is a bit overwhelming.  That is a statement filled with responsibility and obligation.  I am currently reading a book Not a Fan  that delves into the differences between being a "fan" of Jesus or a "follower".  To be a true ambassador (as many translations put it) is to be a follower, not just a vocal fan.  A follower DOES, with actions, what he/she believes.  A fan simply spouts  words of support (like I do here?)    Much to ponder, yet I am sustained by the next line, "Become friends with God;  he's already a friend with you."  What does friendship with God REALLY entail?  

     My thoughts are tumbling this morning as I have been reading through the Bingham's blog with the highs and lows of their heart transplant emotions.  Sierra's heart is in trouble and facing some serious treatment, Lindsey is still waiting to fully 'wake-up' from her transplant.  I am amazed at the strength of this family, at their faith.  Two other friends are in chemotherapy and radiation for cancer, another had surgery yesterday to remove a cancerous bladder, another is inoperable and awaits.......  So many to be praying for and with.  What can I DO as Christ's representative?  
     I just read through all of d365.org and found this line for today from writer Daniel Ingram, "To share in God’s story also means reconciling yourself to God and making God’s heart your heart."  Somehow that just hit home in light of our prayers for Lindsey.  Are we all in need of heart transplants?  To journey to the cross with Christ is to receive a new heart from God? 

     On the road today again to take my mom up to Redmond and gather with my sister's family for a few days.  I am thinking of Jim Kauth as we drive, and his journey today to solidify and mark his journey as Christ's representative.  Is Jim receiving a heart transplant today as well?  God be with you, Jim!  Blessings on the journey!     

FRIDAY, February 15  "Bubble Baths"

Psalm 51:10-12 (Common English Bible)

Create a clean heart for me, God;
    put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!

Please don’t throw me out of your presence;
    please don’t take your holy spirit away from me.

Return the joy of your salvation to me
    and sustain me with a willing spirit.

     I realize it is the day after Valentine's, and the scripture speaks of hearts, we celebrate with the Binghams at Lindsey's new heart, but it is the SPIRIT that caught me eye when I read the passage this morning.  A NEW spirit, a FAITHFUL spirit, the HOLY spirit that sustains a WILLING spirit.  When we give our HEART to God, this spirit is God's gift in return.  Wow!  We are washed clean in this spirit.  What is our obligation and responsibility to be that willing and steadfast spirit?  

    We are on the road this morning.  I shall simply post the Psalm 51 scribble since it included the key verse!  Besides, isn't it a wonderful thought to visualize God daily scrubbing us clean?  Is forgiveness just a wonderful bubble bath, filled with little spirit bubbles?  

THURSDAY, February 14  "Heart Treasure"

Matthew 6:19-21  (Common English Bible)

 “Stop collecting treasures for your own benefit on earth, where moth and rust eat them and where thieves break in and steal them.   Instead, collect treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moth and rust don’t eat them and where thieves don’t break in and steal them.   Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

It's Valentine's Day!
Relationships, loved ones, 
Family, friends. Treasure. 
Where is my treasure?
What is my treasure? 
Not things, not STUFF. 
People.  People I love.
People waiting to BE loved. 
Store up these treasures. 
A treasure chest of Valentines,
Ready to share.
Ready to scatter amid the world.  
Put MY heart into the treasure chest of God.

d365.org Benediction (8th century Irish song)  

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that thou art. 

Thou my best thought by day or by night. 

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light. 

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 13

Matthew 6:6 (The Message)

Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

It's Ash Wednesday.  I was a bit confused as I turned to Journey to the Cross online at d365.org and found the same scripture as last year.  I thought, "Is the whole devotion the same one?"  In checking the lectionary, I discovered that the Gospel scripture for all three years is the exact same passage from Matthew for Ash Wednesday.  It changes after that, but for this day it is the same.  

  

Lent is a time for inward reflection.  To find that quiet, secluded place alone with God.  To learn, to grow in faith.  To discover our place in the darkness of Christ's death. For without Lent, the brilliant light of the resurrection dims.  During Lent we consider our personal journey with God and the ways we block the Light.   It is a private journey, however, not a public display of piety.  It is a journey I have taken for the past four years in the early morning hours.  Time with God....well spent.  

Prayers today.   In California at this moment, Lindsey Lou Bingham is receiving a new heart.  Her family is experiencing the transition from darkness to light.  Another family of the donor heart is finding their way through a sudden darkness. May God be with both families, the surgeons and staff, and bring healing to all.