Peter was a rock...strong, unyielding, pulled himself up by his bootstraps... which of course was his problem. What he needed to be was a sponge... fragile, open, pliable... Soaking up love and spilling it everywhere he went.
(Reflection from Rev. Andrew Kukla)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 30
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
Measure in love.
lyrics from "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
Measure in love.
lyrics from "Seasons of Love" from the musical Rent
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 29
"I had hoped to be a sheep," he said. "But, I was scared of being sheared."
(Reflection from Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini)
(Reflection from Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 28
Abiding in God's love. What does this mean?
In the little French village of La Chambon, something extraordinary happened, yet those who participated considered what they did very ordinary. This little town saved over 5000 Jew during WWII from the Nazis. Living out the words over their church door "Let us love one another", they hid fleeing people and provided them life. When asked why they simply said they were doing what they thought everyone would do in their shoes. They did not see anything special about what they did and were in some sense embarrassed by the attention given to them for what they thought were natural, human actions. (I invite you to Google La Chambon-sur-Lignon and read more about this simple, yet profound village.)
God abides in love and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them. (1 John 4:16)
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
In the little French village of La Chambon, something extraordinary happened, yet those who participated considered what they did very ordinary. This little town saved over 5000 Jew during WWII from the Nazis. Living out the words over their church door "Let us love one another", they hid fleeing people and provided them life. When asked why they simply said they were doing what they thought everyone would do in their shoes. They did not see anything special about what they did and were in some sense embarrassed by the attention given to them for what they thought were natural, human actions. (I invite you to Google La Chambon-sur-Lignon and read more about this simple, yet profound village.)
God abides in love and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them. (1 John 4:16)
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Lent Faith Stories: Murray Beard
A word from Murray Beard:
One of my favorite bible verses comes from Hebrews 12:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
If we rely on our own faith and understanding, there are so many things that can hinder us and drag us away from running that race of life that Jesus wants us to run. I know in my own life there have been times that I have veered off the path set for me, sometimes even getting stuck deep in the ditch where for periods of time I wallowed in pity, selfishness, and ungodly behavior.
Fortunately there have been many in my "cloud of witnesses" that saw me in the ditch and rather than walking past decided to reach down and pick me up, dust me off and set me on my way again. I give thanks for people like my grandmother Era, who was a constant fixture in my life as a teenager; for Bill Tickle who extended a hand of faith and friendship when I was lost in the wilderness as a young father; for Dale Caswell, who leads by active example in how to love your neighbor. The list goes on and on- Joyce, Elise, Tom, Ingram, Katie, Clint, Mary Lou, Dottie, Richard, Carol, Laura, Max......
During this Lenten season, as you analyze your faith journey, who is a part of your great cloud of witnesses? Who are those people, present and past, that have made a difference in your life? If they are still alive, tell them thanks this day. Share with them how they have been important in your faith journey.
More importantly, whose list are you on? Look around you- is there a friend in need? Is there a teenager that needs someone to talk to? A young adult that looks lost? Make a difference in the life of someone else today. Keep them on the path so they can run the race with you. After all, it is not who gets there first. We all win if we cross the finish line!! Thanks be to God.
One of my favorite bible verses comes from Hebrews 12:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
If we rely on our own faith and understanding, there are so many things that can hinder us and drag us away from running that race of life that Jesus wants us to run. I know in my own life there have been times that I have veered off the path set for me, sometimes even getting stuck deep in the ditch where for periods of time I wallowed in pity, selfishness, and ungodly behavior.
Fortunately there have been many in my "cloud of witnesses" that saw me in the ditch and rather than walking past decided to reach down and pick me up, dust me off and set me on my way again. I give thanks for people like my grandmother Era, who was a constant fixture in my life as a teenager; for Bill Tickle who extended a hand of faith and friendship when I was lost in the wilderness as a young father; for Dale Caswell, who leads by active example in how to love your neighbor. The list goes on and on- Joyce, Elise, Tom, Ingram, Katie, Clint, Mary Lou, Dottie, Richard, Carol, Laura, Max......
During this Lenten season, as you analyze your faith journey, who is a part of your great cloud of witnesses? Who are those people, present and past, that have made a difference in your life? If they are still alive, tell them thanks this day. Share with them how they have been important in your faith journey.
More importantly, whose list are you on? Look around you- is there a friend in need? Is there a teenager that needs someone to talk to? A young adult that looks lost? Make a difference in the life of someone else today. Keep them on the path so they can run the race with you. After all, it is not who gets there first. We all win if we cross the finish line!! Thanks be to God.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 26
Love and authenticity.
There's some sort of tie between being authentic and being loving.
Love pushes us to our true selves.
Love invites others to their true selves.
I wonder that if there is no love, there is no truth.
(Reflection by Dr. Tom Walker)
There's some sort of tie between being authentic and being loving.
Love pushes us to our true selves.
Love invites others to their true selves.
I wonder that if there is no love, there is no truth.
(Reflection by Dr. Tom Walker)
Friday, March 25, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 25
Never able to carry a tune or keep rhythm she began to sing her own version of the classic Beatles song...
All you need is love...ladedadada...
All you need to give is love, love; all you really need to give is love...ladedadada
...and the band played on...
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
All you need is love...ladedadada...
All you need to give is love, love; all you really need to give is love...ladedadada
...and the band played on...
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 24
"What is love?"
"It's a long walk on a beach without needing to say a word."
"That doesn't make sense!"
"I know... but it's wonderful, isn't it?"
(Reflection by Rev. Andrew Kukla)
"It's a long walk on a beach without needing to say a word."
"That doesn't make sense!"
"I know... but it's wonderful, isn't it?"
(Reflection by Rev. Andrew Kukla)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 23
"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."
from the film Love Actually and shared by Rev. Katie Day
from the film Love Actually and shared by Rev. Katie Day
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 22
"I wonder what God's love tastes like?" I asked her.
She looked at me with a far away look and said, "I think God's love tastes like strawberries with a bit of powered sugar on them."
"I think it is more like chewy honeycomb with the bees still in it."
(Reflection by Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini)
She looked at me with a far away look and said, "I think God's love tastes like strawberries with a bit of powered sugar on them."
"I think it is more like chewy honeycomb with the bees still in it."
(Reflection by Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini)
Monday, March 21, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 21
All you need is love.
In the sermon yesterday, I mentioned a powerful video of this song by the Beatles. It is a song that I can't get out of my head when sung by 156 countries. Here is the link: http://www.wimp.com/needlove/
So, they will know we are Christians by our love?!?
What a call, what a challenge.
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
In the sermon yesterday, I mentioned a powerful video of this song by the Beatles. It is a song that I can't get out of my head when sung by 156 countries. Here is the link: http://www.wimp.com/needlove/
So, they will know we are Christians by our love?!?
What a call, what a challenge.
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Lent Faith Stories: Anne Torgerson
I have the best job.
When I go to work I get to tell stories, write dramas, paint pictures, make cookies. I get to teach history, enforce good manners and plan festivals. I sew costumes and set up tents. Next month I'm creating a museum. And through it all I get to boldly sing about God, tell about God, and celebrate God.
I have the best job.
And I want to thank Palms Presbyterian for playing a large part in leading me to this place.
Last spring the Women's Network hosted Beth Moore's study of Esther. I am a big fan of Beth Moore so I was eager to sign up for the class. From the very beginning Beth promised that the book of Esther wasn't just about one orphan girl realizing her destiny but it was about all of us finding our destiny. Feeling that my life had become rather stagnant, I held my breath and completed every assignment. Oh what would my destiny be?
The class ended. Good class. My destiny? No clue.
But four of us from our small group at the study decided to continue to meet and start a new study. We chose a book recommended to us by Andrew. It was How to Find Your Personal Path to Success - Keys to Living Out Your Purpose and Passion by Robin Chaddock. I was in it more because the women were fun than because I really thought I would get anything out of the book.
Long story short - I did get something out of it. I recognized the abilities, interests and passions that I had within me that I hadn't been fully utilizing. Just as I reached the end of the book, an ad for a job came to my attention. Normally I would have let it pass. But armed with a new sense of purpose and adventure I took a chance. As Mordecai told Esther, "Who knows?"
Who knew? I love my job as the Children's Minister at Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to delve into the studies offered at Palms and allow them to change how I thought about myself and what I had to contribute. And I love my friends and family at Palms who continue to assist my development as they answer my questions, "How do you . . . " "Where did you . . . " "How can I . . . "
Thank you Palms Presbyterian!
Anne Torgerson
When I go to work I get to tell stories, write dramas, paint pictures, make cookies. I get to teach history, enforce good manners and plan festivals. I sew costumes and set up tents. Next month I'm creating a museum. And through it all I get to boldly sing about God, tell about God, and celebrate God.
I have the best job.
And I want to thank Palms Presbyterian for playing a large part in leading me to this place.
Last spring the Women's Network hosted Beth Moore's study of Esther. I am a big fan of Beth Moore so I was eager to sign up for the class. From the very beginning Beth promised that the book of Esther wasn't just about one orphan girl realizing her destiny but it was about all of us finding our destiny. Feeling that my life had become rather stagnant, I held my breath and completed every assignment. Oh what would my destiny be?
The class ended. Good class. My destiny? No clue.
But four of us from our small group at the study decided to continue to meet and start a new study. We chose a book recommended to us by Andrew. It was How to Find Your Personal Path to Success - Keys to Living Out Your Purpose and Passion by Robin Chaddock. I was in it more because the women were fun than because I really thought I would get anything out of the book.
Long story short - I did get something out of it. I recognized the abilities, interests and passions that I had within me that I hadn't been fully utilizing. Just as I reached the end of the book, an ad for a job came to my attention. Normally I would have let it pass. But armed with a new sense of purpose and adventure I took a chance. As Mordecai told Esther, "Who knows?"
Who knew? I love my job as the Children's Minister at Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to delve into the studies offered at Palms and allow them to change how I thought about myself and what I had to contribute. And I love my friends and family at Palms who continue to assist my development as they answer my questions, "How do you . . . " "Where did you . . . " "How can I . . . "
Thank you Palms Presbyterian!
Anne Torgerson
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 19
"Love never ends".
Never?
Never!
Really?
Really!
You sure?
I'm sure!
Wow.
I know.
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
Never?
Never!
Really?
Really!
You sure?
I'm sure!
Wow.
I know.
(Reflection from Dr. Tom Walker)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 18
Standing in front of his tiny church, we were looking over one of Jamaica's green mountain peaks...we stood in the muddy rut made by the wheel of a passing mule drawn cart...he turned and said, "I pray for you and your church." Tears flowed.
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 17
She and I looked down into a great pit filled with all manner of horrible sights and creatures and miserable looking people. And I wondered aloud what it might be, and she said it might just be hell, and I agreed it was good to keep them locked away down there forever, but she just kept staring and I'm pretty sure I heard her say that they weren't locked in forever, they just hadn't finished therapy yet.
(Reflection from Rev. Andrew Kukla)
(Reflection from Rev. Andrew Kukla)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 16
Most of the time
when I type the word "love" on my iPhone
I accidentally type "live" instead
and I wonder if
it isn't the same thing
after all.
(Reflection from Rev. Katie Day)
when I type the word "love" on my iPhone
I accidentally type "live" instead
and I wonder if
it isn't the same thing
after all.
(Reflection from Rev. Katie Day)
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 15
From the Desk of Rev. Laurie Furr-Vancini:
I arrive before everyone else.
Loads of food for BEAM lies on the floor.
Books on the front desk counter - heartbeat of God and pillars of creation.
Boys from the American Boys Choir frolic in the garden.
Gathering, 10, 20, 30 in red, white and blue.
Hackysacking, wandering, picking pomegranates.
My desk strewn with cameras, fish banks, worship prep, LOGOS, VBS paperwork.
The day to come.
All is right with the world.
God smiles.
Across the globe the numbers of dead from Japan rise as tall as tsunami waves.
God weeps.
I arrive before everyone else.
Loads of food for BEAM lies on the floor.
Books on the front desk counter - heartbeat of God and pillars of creation.
Boys from the American Boys Choir frolic in the garden.
Gathering, 10, 20, 30 in red, white and blue.
Hackysacking, wandering, picking pomegranates.
My desk strewn with cameras, fish banks, worship prep, LOGOS, VBS paperwork.
The day to come.
All is right with the world.
God smiles.
Across the globe the numbers of dead from Japan rise as tall as tsunami waves.
God weeps.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 14
(Sermon excerpt from Sunday, March 13th
"God is Insanely Loving" by the Rev. Andrew Kukla)
All that we find and see in scripture that is filled with the proliferation of sin AND forgiveness, brokenness AND restoration, and the time and again way in which God is moved to try again with God's people means that God - despite God's anger and frustrated hopes - has not given up... God's deep, passionate love of everything will not give up.
They say the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result. And by every shred of evidence I see, God is insane... God is insanely in love with you - with all of us - with all of creation.
"If you do not know love, you do not know God, for God is love."
---------------------------------------------
If God loves everyone and everything, and never gives up that love, how does that have a radical call on how we might choose to act towards everyone regardless of those things that we think divide us: race, creed, nation, status, world view, and even how they might treat us?
"God is Insanely Loving" by the Rev. Andrew Kukla)
All that we find and see in scripture that is filled with the proliferation of sin AND forgiveness, brokenness AND restoration, and the time and again way in which God is moved to try again with God's people means that God - despite God's anger and frustrated hopes - has not given up... God's deep, passionate love of everything will not give up.
They say the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result. And by every shred of evidence I see, God is insane... God is insanely in love with you - with all of us - with all of creation.
"If you do not know love, you do not know God, for God is love."
---------------------------------------------
If God loves everyone and everything, and never gives up that love, how does that have a radical call on how we might choose to act towards everyone regardless of those things that we think divide us: race, creed, nation, status, world view, and even how they might treat us?
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 13
Today marks the first Sunday in Lent. It will also continue Palms second year of the Journey to Discipleship. Last year we began a new tradition of using Lent as a time for intentional focus on discipleship. As we Journey to the cross with Jesus we, like the disciples of the Bible, place ourselves at Jesus feet to hear his teaching and learn to walk in the way of Jesus in our daily lives.
A question I am often asked is, why discipleship?
It seems that many of us find the word disciple daunting, intimidating... too much. We prefer to think of ourselves as Christians, or members of the church. And yet Christ's command to his original twelve disciples is not to go make members of the church - or go gather adherents to a set of beliefs (Christians). Christ tells them to go make disciples, people who will follow Jesus with them, learning to walk in the way of Jesus in all they do and say.
As I read scripture there is very little daunting or intimidating about the disciples - in fact they are usually getting it all wrong. They too struggle with Jesus words, and they too often miss the meaning. They lose faith and struggle to grasp the vision. The only single attribute that I find in the disciples that sets them apart from others is that when the rubber hits the road, when they are challenged and afflicted by Christ's words, they still choose to follow in the way Jesus leads them. Others hear discouraging news and fade into the night (Nicodemus and the rich young ruler for instance), but the disciples - thick brained, over-eager, prideful men that they are - constantly stay with Jesus. Peter sums it up, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)
If you see in Jesus one that you wish to follow... if you sense that in Christ you find the way, the truth, and the life... then you are a disciple! You are called by God to follow in the way of Jesus and to share that gift by nurturing, equipping, and sharing the journey with other disciples. Naming yourself as a member of church is about naming where you find community... and that's important. But being a disciple? It is the essential journey of a lifetime where we follow Jesus and learn to live according to his word and way.
This Lent I hope that you find ways to connect deeply with God in answer to your call to discipleship. This particular year we have focused our conversation on love. Hearing those words we say in every baptism, "We love because God first loved us," (I John 4:19) we pause to reflect on how we are living that out in our life. As disciples how are we learning to live in Christ-like love.
Why discipleship? Because I firmly believe that being a disciple is what it means to be human. Being human is being God's children who follow God's son into the world in the way of love.
Join us on the journey!
Blessings and Love,
Rev. Andrew Kukla
On each of the six Sundays of Lent our Lenten Devotional will be short testimony from a Palms member of how discerning discipleship and living into the love of God has changed their life. Sharing stories of faith and discipleship is essential in Christian community but not always easy to do. We hope this can be one more way that we help each other to engage in this rich and wonderful practice of nurturing one another at Palms. If you have a story to tell we invite you to share that story on our blog or facebook page, you will find the links to each of those below. You are also welcome to send an email reply. Community is about sharing stories that feed faith - share yours today!
A question I am often asked is, why discipleship?
It seems that many of us find the word disciple daunting, intimidating... too much. We prefer to think of ourselves as Christians, or members of the church. And yet Christ's command to his original twelve disciples is not to go make members of the church - or go gather adherents to a set of beliefs (Christians). Christ tells them to go make disciples, people who will follow Jesus with them, learning to walk in the way of Jesus in all they do and say.
As I read scripture there is very little daunting or intimidating about the disciples - in fact they are usually getting it all wrong. They too struggle with Jesus words, and they too often miss the meaning. They lose faith and struggle to grasp the vision. The only single attribute that I find in the disciples that sets them apart from others is that when the rubber hits the road, when they are challenged and afflicted by Christ's words, they still choose to follow in the way Jesus leads them. Others hear discouraging news and fade into the night (Nicodemus and the rich young ruler for instance), but the disciples - thick brained, over-eager, prideful men that they are - constantly stay with Jesus. Peter sums it up, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life." (John 6:68)
If you see in Jesus one that you wish to follow... if you sense that in Christ you find the way, the truth, and the life... then you are a disciple! You are called by God to follow in the way of Jesus and to share that gift by nurturing, equipping, and sharing the journey with other disciples. Naming yourself as a member of church is about naming where you find community... and that's important. But being a disciple? It is the essential journey of a lifetime where we follow Jesus and learn to live according to his word and way.
This Lent I hope that you find ways to connect deeply with God in answer to your call to discipleship. This particular year we have focused our conversation on love. Hearing those words we say in every baptism, "We love because God first loved us," (I John 4:19) we pause to reflect on how we are living that out in our life. As disciples how are we learning to live in Christ-like love.
Why discipleship? Because I firmly believe that being a disciple is what it means to be human. Being human is being God's children who follow God's son into the world in the way of love.
Join us on the journey!
Blessings and Love,
Rev. Andrew Kukla
On each of the six Sundays of Lent our Lenten Devotional will be short testimony from a Palms member of how discerning discipleship and living into the love of God has changed their life. Sharing stories of faith and discipleship is essential in Christian community but not always easy to do. We hope this can be one more way that we help each other to engage in this rich and wonderful practice of nurturing one another at Palms. If you have a story to tell we invite you to share that story on our blog or facebook page, you will find the links to each of those below. You are also welcome to send an email reply. Community is about sharing stories that feed faith - share yours today!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 12
"I'm giving up something for Lent."
Giving up. Those words puzzle me. They speak too much off self, of my control, of faith on my terms.
The early Christians said Christ emptied himself. He didn't give up, but emptied. I wonder what I need to empty this Lenten season.
(Reflection by Rev. Tom Walker)
Giving up. Those words puzzle me. They speak too much off self, of my control, of faith on my terms.
The early Christians said Christ emptied himself. He didn't give up, but emptied. I wonder what I need to empty this Lenten season.
(Reflection by Rev. Tom Walker)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Lent Devotional: March 11
Ash Wednesday
I came home from worship.
She said, “Hey, what have you been doing, your forehead is dirty?”
I said, “I was reminded how vulnerable and fragile life is and how deeply I am loved…”
“Oh,” she said, “…here’s a napkin to wipe that off.”
I thought to myself, “not yet…not yet…”
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
I came home from worship.
She said, “Hey, what have you been doing, your forehead is dirty?”
I said, “I was reminded how vulnerable and fragile life is and how deeply I am loved…”
“Oh,” she said, “…here’s a napkin to wipe that off.”
I thought to myself, “not yet…not yet…”
(Reflection by Rev. Carol DiGiusto)
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lent Devotional: Mar 10
Smeared with ashes of palm fronds,
"You are dust and to dust you shall return" still ringing in our ears,
we dashed through the rain to our cars, our homes, our families,
our chores, our tv shows, our jobs, our lives,
almost forgetting that mark of death we bore into the world,
until we absentmindedly rubbed our forehead or walked past a mirror,
noting with surprise that even television and soap cannot separate us
from our own mortality.
--Reflection from Rev. Katie Day
"You are dust and to dust you shall return" still ringing in our ears,
we dashed through the rain to our cars, our homes, our families,
our chores, our tv shows, our jobs, our lives,
almost forgetting that mark of death we bore into the world,
until we absentmindedly rubbed our forehead or walked past a mirror,
noting with surprise that even television and soap cannot separate us
from our own mortality.
--Reflection from Rev. Katie Day
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Lent Devotional: Ash Wednesday, March 9
We arrive today at another season of Lent and the Palms Journey to Discipleship. This year our theme is "Living in Christ-like Love". We will journey together through a sermon series on love using I John 4:7-21, through Sunday school classes themed on discipleship and love, and through a lenten daily devotional. This year our devotional will look a little different.
The Palms staff has become intrigued at the power of short story and few words to evoke deep thought. So this year our devotional will not be lengthy reflections but provocative thoughts for you to wrestle with... we will provide you a spark in hopes that you will write your own devotional.
Each Monday will begin with a short thought and question from the sermon the day before, and then each day a different pastor will add another short provocative thought into the mix. We invite you to play with these and think on them through your day. You can even make it a conversation by making a comment or responding to comments on our blog, you will find the link to it below.
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a day we call Ash Wednesday. Many of us associate Ash Wednesday as something Catholics do, and aren't sure what the service is about - except maybe we know that you get ashes put on your forehead.
Ash Wednesday is really about beginning a journey with Christ to the cross. The ashes remind us that "from ashes we came and to ashes we will return". Ashes then become symbolic for death and life in the same way that Christ will forever link his risen life with death upon the cross. The Resurrected life in Christ only comes to us in a journey through death and brokenness. The ashes then are our own confessional awareness, our own experience of death and brokenness that leads us to life in Christ.
This year the scripture that captured our attention for Ash Wednesday comes from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
But we have this treasure in clay jars,
so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power
belongs to God and does not come from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
For while we live,
we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
(2Co 4:7-11)
I hope that you take some time today to reflect on this passage, and join us this evening for the Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. It is the begining of our community journey this lent in discipleship, a journey following Christ to the cross and to resurrected life.
The Palms staff has become intrigued at the power of short story and few words to evoke deep thought. So this year our devotional will not be lengthy reflections but provocative thoughts for you to wrestle with... we will provide you a spark in hopes that you will write your own devotional.
Each Monday will begin with a short thought and question from the sermon the day before, and then each day a different pastor will add another short provocative thought into the mix. We invite you to play with these and think on them through your day. You can even make it a conversation by making a comment or responding to comments on our blog, you will find the link to it below.
Today marks the beginning of Lent, a day we call Ash Wednesday. Many of us associate Ash Wednesday as something Catholics do, and aren't sure what the service is about - except maybe we know that you get ashes put on your forehead.
Ash Wednesday is really about beginning a journey with Christ to the cross. The ashes remind us that "from ashes we came and to ashes we will return". Ashes then become symbolic for death and life in the same way that Christ will forever link his risen life with death upon the cross. The Resurrected life in Christ only comes to us in a journey through death and brokenness. The ashes then are our own confessional awareness, our own experience of death and brokenness that leads us to life in Christ.
This year the scripture that captured our attention for Ash Wednesday comes from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians.
But we have this treasure in clay jars,
so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power
belongs to God and does not come from us.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not forsaken;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying in the body the death of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.
For while we live,
we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake,
so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh.
(2Co 4:7-11)
I hope that you take some time today to reflect on this passage, and join us this evening for the Ash Wednesday service at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. It is the begining of our community journey this lent in discipleship, a journey following Christ to the cross and to resurrected life.
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