It’s Not too Late …. Yet

“And rend your heart and not your garments.
Now return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil.” Joel 2:13

There is a response in our weekly Lenten services that is based on this verse from the book of Joel. Lent is to be a time of examination, reflection, and discipline. It’s not unusual for any of us to drift away from these things, as the world is always with us, and always a distraction. Here Joel reminds us that what God requires is (once again) an open heart. True piety is not about an outward appearance of holy behavior — it’s about a change in the way we think, believe and act.

It also tells us, that it is not too late to repent and change. God will not reject us for our failures if we willingly repent and turn away from evil. Think of the loving Father in the parable of the prodigal son — God is waiting to welcome us back.

However, there is another parable in the book of Matthew. It speaks of the wise and foolish virgins and being ready for the Bridegroom. Those who were foolish slept during the time of waiting, and didn’t have oil for their lamps. Afterwards, they were not admitted to the feast. At some point it will be too late. As the parable warns,

““Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:13

We do not know when we will die, and we don’t know when Christ will come again. I pray that each of us will use our time wisely, particularly during this season of Lent. The best time to return to God is NOW.

For more posts about an open heart see:

A Heart Open to Joy

An Open Heart

Open Your Heart to True Piety

New Month/No Theme?

Hello readers! Normally every other month has a theme, but this month I decided to have no theme again. Why? Well, my study life and faith journey has been VERY eclectic. Our Bible study has been looking at the book of Revelation; in Sunday School we’re reading the book of James. I’ve been reading a book about prayer, and another about Puritan women. I’m preparing for a Lutheran Via de Cristo retreat, and as part of that process I’ve been considering personal piety and all that means. There are simply too many topics at work in my busy brain to limit myself (and any other authors) to just one! So this month, expect a wide variety of topics. We’re just going to see where God leads us!

This month also falls during the church season of Lent, a time when we should all be particularly prayerful. You may be attending extra church services, fasting, or spending more time examining your Christian life. Please send us your comments, as the Lutheran ladies would love to hear your story. Our wish is to be Christian women, learning together.

For more about Lent see these posts:

Henri Nouwen on Lent

A Lenten Message Part 1

A Lenten Message Part 2

New Month/No Theme

Can you believe it’s February already? Hopefully the worst of the winter is behind us. It’s staying light longer. If you’re anything like me, that gives adds a bit of energy to my step and my life in general.

This will be a no theme month — which doesn’t mean there are not themes to be explored. Valentine’s Day is this month — that makes me think about love in all its’ many forms.

Ash Wednesday and Lent are coming. Always a time for introspection, confession and honest evaluation of our lives.

Of course, who knows where the Spirit will lead. As usual, I’ll be reading, studying, attending church services, and other events. God speaks through all of our activities and I see His fingerprints everywhere I go.

Journey with me this month as we let God surprise us — maybe some of my fellow bloggers will jump in and surprise me as well!

God loves you and so do I!

40 Days of Decrease by Alicia Britt Chole

I used this book as my Lenten devotional this year and really liked it. Each day has a short reading and reflection, some quotes, some information about the history of Lent, a suggested Bible reading and also a suggested “fast.” Most of the time we relate fasting to food, and when we “give something up” for Lent, we choose a food item –coffee, desserts, maybe even meat. However, author Chole has some thought-provoking ideas on the subject. What about fasting from something like:

1. Regrets–put the mistakes of the past behind, and resolve not to dwell upon them
2. Fixing it–don’t try to fix the problems or pain of others–give them the gift of your supportive presence
3. Comparison–stop comparing your situation to others
4. Discontent–redirect the tendency to picture something more to thanking God for the blessing you have

This is just a sampling, but enough for you to get the idea. Some of the fasts are more challenging than others, and you can decide to try them for just one day, or for longer, as a spiritual discipline. At the end of each day there is some space for journaling about the Bible reading, if you’re so inclined.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. I think this is a book I could use over and over during the Lenten season.

For more about Lent see:

Lenten Discipline

Henri Nouwen on Lent

A Lenten Quote

Good Enough by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie–Book Review

Are you something of a perfectionist? Do you have difficulty waiting patiently? Do you feel a need to “fix” every problem for everybody? Do you have an inner voice constantly telling you that you aren’t good enough? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then you will enjoy this little devotional book.

Each devotion (there are 40) includes a meditation by one of the authors, a blessing or a prayer, a suggestion for taking a “good enough” step in deepening our spiritual life, and a quote. The message is that we don’t have to be perfect, we just need to keep going in the right direction. We need to focus on what we can do today rather than on an ideal that we may never attain.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. I’ve been using this as part of my morning Lenten devotions, and I like it so much that I’m planning to check out other books by Kate Bowler. She has written two memoirs, Everything Happens for a Reason and No Cure for Being Human.

For more posts about devotionals see:

90 Days with The God Who speaks –Book Review

Women of Courage: a Forty-Day Devotional — Book Review

On-The-Go Devotional by Leslie Hudson — Book Review

Henri Nouwen on Lent

“God’s mercy is greater than our sins. There is an awareness of sin that does not lead to God but rather to self-preoccupation. Our temptation is to be so impressed by our sins and failings and so overwhelmed by our lack of generosity that we get stuck in a paralyzing guilt. It is the guilt that says, ‘I am too sinful to deserve God’s mercy.’ It is the guilt that leads to introspection instead of directing our eyes to God. It is the guilt that has become an idol and therefore a form of pride. Lent is the time to break down this idol and direct our attention to our Loving Lord.“

Henri Nouwen

For more by Henri Nouwen see these posts:

Discernment by Henri Nouwen with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird–Book Review

Spiritual Formation by Henri Nouwen–Book Review

Learning from Henri Nouwen & Vincent van Gogh by Carol A. Berry–Book Review

New Month/No Theme

It’s April already and it’s time for a no theme month. Our group is continuing the study of union in Christ, and so there may be some additional posts on that topic. I’m constantly reading (What’s Your Superpower?) so there will definitely be some book reviews. Then there’s Lent and Easter — I’m a liturgical Christian and the seasons of the church are always in my thoughts and offer rich fields for developing themes and posts.

There’s just no telling where the Spirit will lead, but I pray that:

“…. these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

I’d love to hear suggestions or see some posts from our other writers. In the meantime, I wish all of our readers a blessed Easter season. God loves you and so do !!

A Different Kind of Fast

During Lent it’s very common to undertake a fast. Here’s an interesting suggestion from the devotional I’ve been using, Good Enough by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie.

Do you want to fast this Lent? asked Pope Francis.

Fast from hurting words and say kind words.

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude.

Fast from anger and be filled with patience.

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope.

Fast from worries and trust God.

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity.

Fast from pressures and be prayerful.

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others.

Fast from grudges and be reconciled.

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen.

For more about fasting see these posts:

Martin Luther on Fasting

Taking A Break

Lenten Discipline

I Must Decrease

In the third chapter of John, some of the disciples of John the Baptist are concerned because suddenly Jesus is attracting more followers. John, of course, understands exactly what is going on. Jesus is the bridegroom, the Messiah, the one for whom everyone has been waiting. In consequence of this, John says:

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

John knows he is only the servant, the messenger. It is Jesus who is the real thing.

If we are united with Christ, the same thing is true of us. We must become more and more like Christ. Our sins and our worldly desires should decrease. Our goal in life will be to show others what Christ is like. When we live with the mind and heart of Christ, we will draw others to Him. We will be the face of Christ in the world.

Lent is a good time to think about this. For some it’s a time to emphasize their piety by giving something up — usually fasting from a food or drink they normally indulge in like coffee, meat or desserts. There’s nothing wrong with this if it serves to remind us of Christ. However, as one poet put it, why not fast from “your sin, not your bin.” For the next few weeks try fasting from anger, or envy, or greed. Add generosity and kindness to your plate. Allow Christ to increase in you. If you do this for forty days, you will have created a habit of holiness that will last the rest of your life.

For more about being the face of Christ see:

Have You Seen Jesus?

Portrait of a Christian

How To Be A Christian Witness

Seven-Mile Miracle by Steven Furtick–Book Review

In this book, author Steven Furtick examines the seven last statements (or “words’) of Jesus from the cross in light of the spiritual journey of every believer. He boils each one down to its’ essential meaning:

*Forgiveness –“Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

*Salvation–“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

*Relationship–“Woman, here is your son … Here is your mother.” John 19:26-27

*Abandonment–“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46

*Distress–“I am thirsty.” John 19:28

*Triumph–“It is finished.” John 19:30

*Reunion–“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” Luke 23:46

Each section includes questions for journaling or group discussion. At the end there is a forty-day reading guide with Scripture selections on the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This was an easy read would be a good pick to use as a spiritual exercise during the season of Lent. Since the author is not Lutheran, there were some theological statements I disagreed with, mainly around the issue of “making a decision” to choose Christ. As Lutherans, we believe Christ chooses us.

VERDICT: 3 Stars due to the theological issues.

For more about the death and resurrection of Christ see:

Martin Luther on the Resurrection

Martin Luther on God’s Victory Over Death

The Resurrection is Now