LENT 2016: Week 3 - Being Holy

Based on Brian Coulter's BE HOLY Lenten Devotion, published by Presbyterian Today. 

2.22.16  Monday  Colossians 1:21 GNT
But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence.

          We  experience this period of Lent with reflection and perhaps self-denial or personal critique.  But the season doesn't culminate with the pain of a physical death as it did for Jesus.  We are freed from that life through reconciliation, through a relationship with God that transcends life itself.  What a gift...to be holy in the presence of God.  How will I respond?   What does being holy mean?  
  
God, in Christ....help me respond.  Amen.  


2.23.16  Tuesday  Revelation 22:11 GNT
Whoever is evil must go on doing evil, and whoever is filthy must go on being filthy; whoever is good must go on doing good, and whoever is holy must go on being holy.”

There are challenges and opportunities everywhere to find and follow evil, to witness abuse and apathy.  This is unfortunately part of our world.  But for those of us intent on 'being' holy, that holiness is our call and our responsibility.  If enough good and holy is spread, it will overcome the bad.  We can break the pattern of evil, the filthy of the world.  One step at a time.  We can change it in ourselves and spur change in others.  We can make HOLY the pattern of our lives.

God of my being, ....break my bad patterns.  Amen. 

2.24.16  Wednesday  Ezekiel 42:20 MSG
The walls separated the holy from the ordinary.
      Previous verses in this chapter narrate the exact dimensions and instructions for building the outer walls of the temple.  Precision and detail.  Perhaps another lesson in obedience, I don't know.  But the final verse 20 gives the walls their purpose: to make a distinction between the holy and the ordinary.  Author Coulter calls for us to look at metaphorical walls we might need to build in terms of habits and relationships. 
      I find this interesting.  We often make such distinctions!  Sundays mornings are holy, but Sunday afternoons perhaps not!  Church is holy, but my workplace is not!  We put holy into its walled off cubicle.    I love the Celtic concept in which EVERYTHING is holy, from making breakfast to taking out the trash.  When we SEEK the holy in all, we more easily BECOME the holy amidst the ordinary around us.  We can rub a little holy off.  
       In this age of separation walls, border dividers and such, I'm not sure that I am searching for distinction and division.  May our holy God come among us and we are able to see the COMMON HOLY within us all.  

Envisioning God....keep me ever holy.  Amen.  

2.25.16 Thursday  Leviticus 20:26
Live holy lives before me because I, God, am holy. I have distinguished you from the nations to be my very own.         
          Why do we have the notion that OUR holy makes us better, makes us more right, than someone else's holy?  Especially when THEIR holy is derived from the same God as our holy?  Christians take words such as above to be the chosen people, when those words were written to a Hebrew nation!  And then....Christ made it very clear that God's love was for ALL!  
          So holy puts us in relationship with God, but holy does not make us better than, on a higher level, or any more right than anyone else.  It puts us in a position to respect and honor and work together for that which is right and good.  Holy does not begat authority; rather holy gives birth to humility.  In what way do I reveal my holiness?  Humble or haughty?  

Lord, help me.....be humble in my holy.  Amen. 

2.26.16  Friday  1 Peter 1:15 MSG
...Let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. 

      I love the visual image of a life blazing with the energy of holiness!  A life radiating God's grace and hope.  How do we make it happen?  We train.  We take small steps of 'exercise' on a daily basis to live into such a state of holiness.  Prayer, scripture, reflection all are part of that daily discipline that gives us the energy and grace to blaze.  

God who calls,....train me for blazing holiness. Amen. 


2.27.16 Saturday  Leviticus 11:45 GNT
I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt so that I could be your God. You must be holy, because I am holy.
     Author Coulter goes into grammar details in this passage regarding imperative and declarative sentences, syntax and praxis.  I'm not even sure what the last two words mean.  But I understand his final words: we are to be a mirror reflecting God's holiness.  I know what mirrors are!  We are the face of God and Jesus Christ on earth.  What we DO in love shows others who God is. When we say we are a people of God and then do something ungodly, we are a poor reflection and blaspheme God's name.  What kind of mirror am I? 
     As I was writing my 'spanks' yesterday, I noted I wanted to DO more of what I say.  And then I noticed the short scripture for the day:  Be holy in all you DO.  Not just in words, but in actions.  A mirror reflects action much better than words.  
PS.  Had to look it up.  Praxis: common practice, practical application of a theory, Hmmm....that sounds much like putting our words into action!  

Holy One, make me...a reflection of you.  Amen. 

2.28.16 Sunday  Leviticus 19:1-2
Go, talk with the community of Israel, and tell them that they are to be holy, for I, the Eternal your God, am holy.

          Go.  Speak.  Tell.  Be holy.  Share holy.  Be intentional about it.  On purpose, not as an afterthought.  

          We are taking off today for another extended adventure, heading south and east toward Texas and Alabama.  Habitat builds, visits (hopefully) with our sponsored child, exploring God's creation, and family rendezvous.  Plenty of opportunities to go, to speak, and to BE HOLY.  

Spirit, set me apart....with intention.  Amen. 

Lent 2016 BE HOLY: Week 2 Source of Holiness

Monday, February 15
Psalm 77:13  MSG
O God! Your way is holy!
    No god is great like God!

      How do we know what holy looks like?  We look to the source of holy - God.  God is great; God works miracles; God forgives; God restores.  How can we be holy in a similar fashion?  How can our way mimic God's way?  That is a big challenge.  Yesterday in church as I listened to the sermon while sitting at the piano tucked in a back corner of the chancel, it occurred to me that it is easy to talk holy in generalities.  But the challenge is to be holy in the messy details of life. To be holy in last minute calls to play piano for worship.  To be holy in care-taking, to be holy in hauling food up and down stairs.    It is in the day-to-day living that we can use God's example for living a sacred life.  
Great God....God of wonder...make your way my way.  Amen.  

Tuesday, February 16
Matthew 7:6 MSG

“Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.
     The Message provides a bit more circumspect language here.  The Common English Bible simply says, 'Don't give what is holy to the dogs'.  Now, dog lovers may take offense at that, but the essence is - don't abuse that which is holy.  Holiness is a gift from God, it IS God.  We must treat it as such.  That means protecting and valuing all that is holy - each other, Creation, and God's commands.  What holy parts of my life do I fail to protect?  Do I abuse the sacred?  
Jesus, help me.... protect the holy.  Amen.  


Wednesday, February 17
Ephesians 1:4 MSG
Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love.
     Chosen by God.  To be made holy.  God chose me.  And you.  And the Jews. And the Arabs.  One God.  Chose ALL.  Therefore, we must honor and respect God's choices....and honor and respect all.  What a fountain of blessing, what a fount of responsibility!  
     Today's drawing is in preparation for my Zendoodling Tessellation class tomorrow night at Crossroads.  I had to try a few patterns out and decided to combine my efforts. 
 
Fount of every blessing....thanks for choosing me.  Amen.  


Thursday, February 18
1 Corinthians 6:11 GNT
That is what some of you used to be! But you were washed clean, you were made holy to God, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
     God is the active DO-er here.  God washed us, God made us right through Christ.  Nothing WE do makes us holy alone; we need the action of God.  We can't boast of our holiness, we must truly feel humble by it.  And then use such gifts for the glory of God.  
Gifts shared in humility not arrogance are true offerings. 
     Another Zoodle today...class tonight!  
Christ in Spirit....humble my spirit.  Amen.  

Friday, February 19
Leviticus 20:7-8 GNT 
Keep yourselves holy, because I am the Lord your God.  Obey my laws, because I am the Lord and I make you holy.”
     Rules to obey.  The text from Leviticus is from the Exodus period when the Israelites were struggling to discover what kind of life God meant.  The Ten Commandments were set.  The entire book of Leviticus lists laws to guide the people.   God promised a better life.  What did that life look like?  How do we find that life of freedom and joy, community and love today? It is a holy life; a life set apart by God.  How can we better live this life we have been given?
  You are my Savior....show me a better life. Amen. 

Saturday, February 20
Proverbs 20:25 CEB
It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,”
    and only reflect after making the promise.
          I had a little trouble understanding this proverb, and the various translations only helped a little.  The Message writes it, "An impulsive vow is a trap;  later you’ll wish you could get out of it".  We cannot act rashly.  Haste can indeed make holy waste.  There must be intentional actions on my part, well-considered and thought out, that will help me realize the holy that God has placed within me.  I am attempting to be more intentional about sending cards of thanks or prayers, an action that will become even more important when Rick and I temporarily leave our faith community in the next few weeks.  I am trying to write down my God-moments each day or to draw a prayer.  Intentional actions that hopefully help keep me in touch with my inner holy, and help me to express and share that gift.  
Slow me down....my Lord and Guide. Amen.

Sunday, February 21
2 Corinthians 5:16-21 CEB
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!
   I love transformation and metamorphosis.  I love drawings that in which the image slowly changes into something totally new.  In doing a little Google research on metamorphosis, I discovered the range of other creatures that undergo radical transformations in a physical way, from butterflies to lobsters, frogs to protozoa.    
    To become Christian is to be radically changed, the only difference for us is that this is a spiritual and emotional transformation.  Our physical beings are the same.  From the outside we LOOK as we always did.  But our actions reveal the changed NEW being on the inside.  What a gift from a loving God!  May we seek to see the positive changes in ourselves and others and honor the grace of God's abundance.   
Gifting God...create me anew.  Amen.   

LENT 2016 BE HOLY: Week 1 - Set Apart

This series of meditations is from the Presbyterian Today Lenten devotional BE HOLY Brian Coulter. Copyright 2015 by Presbyterian Mission Agency.  

ASH WEDNESDAY, February 10
Job 42:6  MSG
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
    now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!
     Today is Ash Wednesday.  The start of the Lenten season leading up to Holy Week and ultimately the Resurrection of Christ.  Lent is a time for reflection, for re-assessment and re-connection with our God. It is a time to take measure of our gifts and our shortcomings.  Where is repentance necessary?  How can I open up and share the gifts God has given me?  Who do I need to forgive?  
      I wasn't able to attend the service tonight at the Methodist Church because Rick and I were serving dinner to the PYGs.  But I am going to use the BE HOLY devotions written by Brian Coulter and published by Presbyterian Today for this season's meditations.  I also copied off a list of 'alternate' tasks to take on during Lent rather than giving up something.  Tasks that emphasize relationships and service.  
      Each devotion ends with a breath prayer, a simple, slow and short prayer phrase that corresponds to inhale, exhale.  I will try to incorporate the prayers into my drawings.  

Lord, I repent...in dust and ashes.  Amen. 

Thursday, February 11
Exodus 23:2  VOICE
Even if the majority of people are doing evil, do not follow them. Also when you are called to give testimony in a dispute, do not let the crowd pressure you into perverting justice. 

     How often did I witness 'Group Pressure' in the middle school teaching years.  It can be so very hard to go against the crowd, to let your conscience with God overrule friends pulling hard against that conscience.  Yet, at other times, a sense of teamwork as a group can get things done, when consensus can rule for good.  In all, however, God and God alone must be our guide.  

Help me to follow ... you and only you, God.  Amen. 

Friday, February 12
Romans 12:2 VOICE 
Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind.

 

   Some translations use the term conform.  Conform and transform.  The first implies against the will, molded by society and standards beyond our control.  But to be transformed is to be changed for the good into something altogether new.  And to be transformed from the 'inside-out' is really appealing.  That takes the essence of who I am and creates something of great potential and beauty.  As an artist, it is like taking a stack of junk materials and transforming them into beauty.  They are no longer what they used to be.  God is the artist.  Am I the junk material?  (My drawing is based on my propensity to take abandoned Habitat materials from the dumpster and try to transform them....:)

Creative God....transform me.  Amen.  

Saturday, February 13
John 17:17 MSG
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; 
Your word is consecrating truth. 
    Jesus is praying in the garden of Gethsemane prior to the crucifixion.  He is praying on behalf of the disciples, beseeching God to sanctify them, to make them holy.  Other translations say to dedicate them to God in truth or to immerse them in God's truth.  
     How rarely do we start our day with the request to be made holy this day!  How often do we immerse ourselves in God, in God-speak or God-action?  Yet, that is our call if we are to call ourselves followers of Christ.  We are made holy, set apart for God's work.  We belong to God.  May we act in such a manner every day.  

Holy Spirit....sanctify me.  Amen.  

Sunday, February 14  FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT
1 Timothy 6:17  MSG
Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.  
     Culture tells us to get rich.  We are bombarded with prosperity plans, accumulating 'stuff' to show we have succeeded.  But the gospel message is to be rich in God.  To be holy means to revel in the abundance of God-light; to live a life of true LIVING! To leave a legacy of abundant service, generosity, and good works, is all the success we need measured.  And it is a legacy to our future heirs that is of far greater benefit.  May I strive to accumulate God-wealth....not material things.  May I strive to constantly share and be generous with God's blessings. May I let go of the 'thing' strings and open myself to the abundant living in God.   

Holy God....open me to life. Amen.  

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS - February 2016

WEEK TWO....

2.7.16 Sunday  Romans 15:30
 I have one request, dear friends: Pray for me. Pray strenuously with and for me—to God the Father.......that I will be delivered from the lions’ den of unbelievers in Judea.
     Reading the first half of this verse, I thought 'Paul is being a little egotistical..one request is to pray for self?'  Yet all translations go on to say...in my next endeavors or in the trials to come.  Paul knows he is going to face difficult times and he is confident that prayer can see him through.  It isn't ego speaking, but faith.  Faith in the power of prayer.  

       About three weeks ago, a member of our congregation made a similar request.  She was about to undergo cancer treatments and asked for our prayers.  She knew the prayers of the people could help her through.  I rejoiced when she called this week to share the doctor's news:  no trace of cancer left!  The power of prayer.  It was exciting for me to know that one of the many names on my drawings had received the desired answer to prayer (God always answers eventually, just not always as WE want!)

May I continue to spend time each day in prayer, knowing you, Lord, are present and at work; knowing my prayers are being answered each day.  Awaken me to see the answers, to see my prayers at work.  Strengthen my faith in the power of prayer.  Amen.  

2.8.16 Monday  Psalm 145:2
Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
    each one tells stories of your mighty acts. MSG

     I am skipping the suggested verse for today because I wanted to 'record' some information on 'The Power of Awe', an article I found in a Good Housekeeping Magazine!  The article concentrates on the healing power of awe and wonder - moments that can take our breath away.  The Old Testament speaks of holy awe, or a reverent awe of the power and might of God. Personally I think the two can often be the same, as our Creator God is the source of what many might consider 'ordinary' awe.  

     Scientifically, awe is defined by two elements according to Melanie Rudd, awe researcher.  "First, you feel you have encountered something vast in size, complexity or power.....and second, the experience must change your perspective in some way."  In nonscientific terms, awe blows your mind away!   It "takes you off autopilot and makes you feel you are in the presence of something bigger than you, but that you are also connected to this bigger thing."

BENEFITS OF AWE:

1. Awe expands your sense of time. 
2. Awe can bond you to others. 
3. Awe may make you healthier.  

HOW TO PUT MORE AWE INTO YOUR LIFE:

• Chase what inspires you. 
• Zero in on details.
• Do something new.
• Take mini awe breaks. 
• Try big stuff too.
• Spend time with kids. 
• Reflect on past moments of awe. 

What a beautiful thought....to live in a state of holy awe!   
"The Power of Awe" by Jennifer King Lindley, Good Housekeeping Magazine, January 2016. 

 2.9.16 Tuesday  Psalm 63:3
Your constant love is better than life itself,    and so I will praise you. GNT

   Constant, steadfast love deserves recognition.  It commands gratitude and praise.  Awe and wonder can remind us of and put us into a holy state, but to be wrapped in the arms of a loving God all the time is worthy of our utmost praise, glory, and honor.  We can't give God credit enough.  We can't praise enough.  We can't say thank you enough.  
Open my eyes today to see those moments of God-love that happen over and over.  Open my mouth to declare my praise and thanks.  Open my heart to share that love with others.  Amen.  

2.10.16  Wednesday  Proverbs 15:4
Kind words heal and help;
    cutting words wound and maim. MSG

     Our words matter.  The childhood adage of 'sticks and stones may break bones, but words will never hurt' is so untrue.  I think it was meant as a positive statement from the receiver...'I won't allow you to tear me down'.  But in truth, words can destroy.  Emotional and verbal abuse can be devastating.  Sometimes it becomes so much the norm that both sides accept it as how life is.  But no.  We don't have to speak to each other in harsh ways.  Kindness can work wonders.  And sometimes, we say words that we don't realize hurt.  We unintentionally hurt because we don't realize the pain hidden inside another.  
     I watched a video clip on Facebook the other day where a man suddenly received glasses that let him know the 'back story' behind those he encountered.  He could see the hidden sufferings and pain.  What a difference it suddenly made in how he treated those he met.  If we assume everyone has some back story of pain, words of encouragement can always help. 

Lord, may I stop and think how might words are perceived before I utter them; may I treat everyone as needing a kind word of encouragement and strive to uplift all I encounter during the day.  Amen. 

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season, six weeks leading up to Holy Week and the Resurrection of Christ.  I am going to suspend my daily scripture meditations for this period and turn to the Presbyterian Today devotional, BE HOLY, written by Brian Coulter.  Scripture Meditations will resume the end of March after Easter!  

WEEK ONE....

2.1.16 Monday   Nehemiah 1:11
O Master, listen to me, listen to your servant’s prayer—and yes, to all your servants who delight in honoring you.  GNT
     Hear me, God.  Listen to my prayer.  Answer me with success.  Nehemiah wants the king's blessing and beseeches God to listen!  
     How often do we tell God what WE want!  Listen to me, God!  NOW!  I want something!  So rarely do WE do the listening and ask the question, 'What do YOU want, God?'   

May I spend more time during my prayers listening for God's desires in addition to my intercessory prayers for others.  

2.2.16 Tuesday    James 1:17
Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light.  MSG      

      Every good gift comes from heaven.  Gifts of relationships, gifts of opportunities, gifts of beauty and pleasure, gifts of assurance and comfort.  All from God.  Every day.  Do we open the gifts?  Do we acknowledge the giver?  
      I love the image of rivers of light....I can visualize the unending and flowing source of God bounty, a continual blessing.  Perhaps it is time to voice a 'thank you' card of gratitude to God, the giver.  

So often our prayers are a litany of intercession, desires, and requests, God.  May we remember to offer our praise and gratitude for the ever-flowing river of grace that cascades down upon us.  Thank you, God.  

2.3.16 Wednesday    Psalm 53:2
God sticks his head out of heaven.
    He looks around.
He’s looking for someone not stupid—
    one man, even, God-expectant,
    just one God-ready woman. MSG

     Peterson's The Message translates this verse in MUCH blunter speech - stupid, expectant, ready.  The Good News version is a little more subtle: "...any who are wise,  any who worship him."  God is seeking God's people: those who will respond and act, those who worship and praise, those who expectantly are prepared to receive the grace God is so ready to bestow.  Is ANYONE out there?  Sometimes we wonder!  Am I truly a 'God-ready' woman at all times?  

Lord, may your grace fill my heart that I am prepared and God-ready to do your work on earth.  May you look with favor and say 'here is a group of people ready to do my will'.  May I be one of the 'anyones'.  


2.4.16 Thursday  Ephesians 6:24 
May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love. GNT
May His grace surround all who love our Lord Jesus...with a never-ending love. VOICE

     I had to include both translations of this final verse from Ephesians because somehow, for me, there is a difference between grace that surrounds and grace that just....is.  I love the image of being SURROUNDED by GRACE.  I guess it is like being surrounded with love; being in the presence of God; life in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are many ways, perhaps, to describe the state of oneness with our Creator.  But whatever words we use, such grace is a desirable blessing!  

Surround me, Lord, with your love, grace, and presence that I might be strengthened to love and be a blessing to those I encounter.  Amen. 


2.5.16 Friday  Proverbs 21:4
Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful. GNT      
     Well, that verse doesn't mince any words!  Other translations aren't any 'gentler'.  Conceit and arrogance are sinful.  Period.  And we all commit this 'sin' at some point or another.  While some may sin more flagrantly than others in this area, we ALL have those moments at some point when we think we are better than others, when OUR concerns and needs become more important.  Humility is a tough virtue to achieve.  

Forgive me, God, when I turn inward and think only of self, when my actions preclude the feelings of others and I hurt people with my arrogance. Hear my prayers this day.  Amen. 

2.6.16 Saturday  Amos 5:14
Seek good and not evil—
    and live!
You talk about God, the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    being your best friend.
Well, live like it,
    and maybe it will happen.  MSG     

     The first thing that came to my mind when I read 'seek good' was Heather Linde's recent book, given to us by our CAV friends, Clint & Kathy.  In the book (the title of which escapes me but it has to do with making lemonade!), obituary writer Linde speaks of finding the good, the beautiful, in the lives of the people she writes about.  Obviously in our personal actions we must seek to do what is honorable and right - 'good' - but if we look for the same in our encounters and relationships, we will find it!  Life WILL be better!  We will find, not just good things, but God's presence as well!  

   So,  I just did a Google search.  Linde's book is simply called FIND THE GOOD.  But it does have a lemon on the cover!  Amazon summarizes the book:  

As the obituary writer in a spectacularly beautiful but often dangerous spit of land in Alaska, Heather Lende knows something about last words and lives well lived. Now she’s distilled what she’s learned about how to live a more exhilarating and meaningful life into three words: find the good. It’s that simple--and that hard.

     Lemons are very appropriate for today.  In my 'Bountiful Basket' last night I must have received at total of 15 tiny little lemons.  An abundance!  While they sit on the counter this week, may they remind me to  'seek the good' constantly! 

     God, may I not only find the good in others, but strive to affirm it as well in a personal way.  Short affirmations can be moments of grace in the lives of others and opportunities to affirm your presence as well.  Amen.