Saturday, April 07, 2007
Good Friday
Palm Sunday has come and gone. Lent has been lamented. Maundy Thursday was spent on the ballfield in the cold rain. And then Friday came.
I have never really understood why we call it Good Friday. But however the Holy Day received its name, we observe it at our church.
The service takes on many forms - but they are always somber. This year included communion, scripture, song, poetry, music and a homily all woven together to lead us in a time of quiet reflection. It was beautiful and poignant.
No matter how the service is planned, the ending is always the same.
We have a free-standing wooden cross outside of our building. It was placed there early in our existance. Encircled in rocks and always surrounded by beautiful plantings it is the wonderful mix of beauty and roughness.
Just as we mark time in our sanctuary by changing the colors to reflect the Christian calendar, we also change the colors on our cross outside. Red, purple, white and green are the most often seen colors. But after our services on Good Friday it is always changed to black.
The congregation leaves the sanctuary in silence. We gather just outside our door or in the foyer to watch the changing. Our pastor and our children and youth journey to the cross. The red cloth is removed and the black is draped. Hugs and quiet small talk are exchanged as our church family departs.
It is one of those traditions that is leaving an impression on my boys.
My 14 year-old has reached the "when I grow up I will not make my kids (fill in the blank)" stage. Last night it was "attend a Good Friday service." But as the service ended both of my boys were up out of their seats and on their way to the cross with our pastor. No complaining. No hesitating. They were participating in the journey.
My prayer is that they will always participate in the journey laid out for them.
simple faith
Palm Sunday has come and gone. Lent has been lamented. Maundy Thursday was spent on the ballfield in the cold rain. And then Friday came.
I have never really understood why we call it Good Friday. But however the Holy Day received its name, we observe it at our church.
The service takes on many forms - but they are always somber. This year included communion, scripture, song, poetry, music and a homily all woven together to lead us in a time of quiet reflection. It was beautiful and poignant.
No matter how the service is planned, the ending is always the same.
We have a free-standing wooden cross outside of our building. It was placed there early in our existance. Encircled in rocks and always surrounded by beautiful plantings it is the wonderful mix of beauty and roughness.
Just as we mark time in our sanctuary by changing the colors to reflect the Christian calendar, we also change the colors on our cross outside. Red, purple, white and green are the most often seen colors. But after our services on Good Friday it is always changed to black.
The congregation leaves the sanctuary in silence. We gather just outside our door or in the foyer to watch the changing. Our pastor and our children and youth journey to the cross. The red cloth is removed and the black is draped. Hugs and quiet small talk are exchanged as our church family departs.
It is one of those traditions that is leaving an impression on my boys.
My 14 year-old has reached the "when I grow up I will not make my kids (fill in the blank)" stage. Last night it was "attend a Good Friday service." But as the service ended both of my boys were up out of their seats and on their way to the cross with our pastor. No complaining. No hesitating. They were participating in the journey.
My prayer is that they will always participate in the journey laid out for them.
simple faith
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Lamenting Lent
35, 36, 37. . . .yes, Holy Week days are included in Lent - dang! I was hoping it ended at some point midweek.
That is, unfortunately, how my Lent is going this year. Some things have been really great. It's not like my journey has been stagnant. It's just that what I gave up this year has been surprisingly difficult to sacrifice.
It's not very Baptist of me - to observe Lent or to give up wine - but, that's what I did. Not just any wine. Oh no, I gave up the other drink (besides coffee) that I refer to as the "Nectar of the gods" - red wine.
The first few weeks were not too bad. But the last couple have been much more challenging. And this week - well I am pretty convinced that absolutely no one who has teenagers should ever ponder giving up alcohol during Lent!
See, there I go again. Exagerating my sacrifice - I can have any drink I care for, except red wine. The issue is the value I have placed on this particular beverage. It is for me a treat. An occasional glass allows me a sense of pleasure. Kind of like my morning coffee. A deep breath, a sip - it soothes my soul.
Coffee. . .that was a Lent journey that also proved difficult during the final week. Perhaps it is because we see the end in sight. Easter is just a few days away. But this week was very difficult for Jesus. Friday comes before Sunday.
Perhaps this journey is on course afterall.
simple faith
35, 36, 37. . . .yes, Holy Week days are included in Lent - dang! I was hoping it ended at some point midweek.
That is, unfortunately, how my Lent is going this year. Some things have been really great. It's not like my journey has been stagnant. It's just that what I gave up this year has been surprisingly difficult to sacrifice.
It's not very Baptist of me - to observe Lent or to give up wine - but, that's what I did. Not just any wine. Oh no, I gave up the other drink (besides coffee) that I refer to as the "Nectar of the gods" - red wine.
The first few weeks were not too bad. But the last couple have been much more challenging. And this week - well I am pretty convinced that absolutely no one who has teenagers should ever ponder giving up alcohol during Lent!
See, there I go again. Exagerating my sacrifice - I can have any drink I care for, except red wine. The issue is the value I have placed on this particular beverage. It is for me a treat. An occasional glass allows me a sense of pleasure. Kind of like my morning coffee. A deep breath, a sip - it soothes my soul.
Coffee. . .that was a Lent journey that also proved difficult during the final week. Perhaps it is because we see the end in sight. Easter is just a few days away. But this week was very difficult for Jesus. Friday comes before Sunday.
Perhaps this journey is on course afterall.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A Time Thing
As usual, it is either feast or famine in our schedules. The past several weeks have been feast weeks. We recently returned from a trip to our Nation's Capital. It was thought provoking and wonderful - there will be more about this in coming days.
But for now, let's get back to Lent. Yes, I know, it's almost over!
As I have said, sometimes I observe Lent and sometimes I do not. Last year I sorta' just fell in to it.
Looking back, I am not sure exactly what all was going on that led me to be so obsessed with time management. Perhaps I was just having a "Golden Spell" or maybe I was just wrapped in to a daily mantra of "If I can organize it, I can achieve it!" Whatever the case, I was literally getting up and putting my watch on first thing in the morning.
Seriously scary - running around in jammies, constantly checking my watch to see if everyone was on schedule, fretting over lost minutes. It was nuts!!! And yes, there is a clock in practically every room of our home. But for some reason that did not matter. I was depending on my watch to order my day.
Observing Lent was not really on my radar. But then my watch stopped working. I am sure the batteries were dead, as were the batteries in my back-up watch. For some reason, I did the unthinkable - I simply chose not to replace them.
At first it was weird - nothing on my wrist to give me a false sense of controlling my time. I, literally, had to repeat the line all my Orange friends who refuse to wear watches use - "There are clocks everywhere in the world."
And without realizing it, God was beginning my Lenten journey. Without a watch to guard my time, my pace slowed and my eyes began to observe more things around me. I did not feel like I accomplished less. In fact I always seemed to accomplish what needed to be done. I accomplished the necessary and I enjoyed the journey. One of my new catch phrases became, "It is not the destination, it is the journey."
Through it all I also began learning the true meaning of the following verse:
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
I had tried to number my days according to my wisdom - schedules, deadlines, "boxes" - but that was not what I needed. I needed to be teachable. I needed to recognize God's order and honor Him as the one who truly guards my time.
And today, my watches are still without working batteries.
simple faith
As usual, it is either feast or famine in our schedules. The past several weeks have been feast weeks. We recently returned from a trip to our Nation's Capital. It was thought provoking and wonderful - there will be more about this in coming days.
But for now, let's get back to Lent. Yes, I know, it's almost over!
As I have said, sometimes I observe Lent and sometimes I do not. Last year I sorta' just fell in to it.
Looking back, I am not sure exactly what all was going on that led me to be so obsessed with time management. Perhaps I was just having a "Golden Spell" or maybe I was just wrapped in to a daily mantra of "If I can organize it, I can achieve it!" Whatever the case, I was literally getting up and putting my watch on first thing in the morning.
Seriously scary - running around in jammies, constantly checking my watch to see if everyone was on schedule, fretting over lost minutes. It was nuts!!! And yes, there is a clock in practically every room of our home. But for some reason that did not matter. I was depending on my watch to order my day.
Observing Lent was not really on my radar. But then my watch stopped working. I am sure the batteries were dead, as were the batteries in my back-up watch. For some reason, I did the unthinkable - I simply chose not to replace them.
At first it was weird - nothing on my wrist to give me a false sense of controlling my time. I, literally, had to repeat the line all my Orange friends who refuse to wear watches use - "There are clocks everywhere in the world."
And without realizing it, God was beginning my Lenten journey. Without a watch to guard my time, my pace slowed and my eyes began to observe more things around me. I did not feel like I accomplished less. In fact I always seemed to accomplish what needed to be done. I accomplished the necessary and I enjoyed the journey. One of my new catch phrases became, "It is not the destination, it is the journey."
Through it all I also began learning the true meaning of the following verse:
"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 90:12
I had tried to number my days according to my wisdom - schedules, deadlines, "boxes" - but that was not what I needed. I needed to be teachable. I needed to recognize God's order and honor Him as the one who truly guards my time.
And today, my watches are still without working batteries.
simple faith
Monday, February 26, 2007
Another Try
Eventually I felt led to observe Lent again. I chose to give up something that I had daily contact with and that, to me, was a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Once again, I decided to journey alone and not tell anyone.
So each morning I arose and did what I do every morning - I made coffee. And as the coffee finished brewing I did what I do every morning - I delivered a cup to my husband. The only difference during the Lent season that year was that I did not drink coffee myself.
Now please keep in mind that coffee is one of two things I jokingly call "the nectar of the gods." I enjoy the taste of it very much - I take mine black. It is rare that I fancy it up with sugar or creamer. And as much as I like the taste of it, the smell of coffee brewing is even more pleasing to my senses. It invokes feelings of comfort and a sense of home no matter what time of day I encounter it.
So each morning I brought myself face to face with something I desired. Each morning I began to learn that my true desire should be the prescence of my Father. Each morning of that Lenten season my prayer became, "Father, make my life a pleasing and fragrant offering to you."
To date, it stands as the most significant Lent journey I have taken. And on occasion brewing coffee still brings to mind the lessons learned.
simple faith
Eventually I felt led to observe Lent again. I chose to give up something that I had daily contact with and that, to me, was a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. Once again, I decided to journey alone and not tell anyone.
So each morning I arose and did what I do every morning - I made coffee. And as the coffee finished brewing I did what I do every morning - I delivered a cup to my husband. The only difference during the Lent season that year was that I did not drink coffee myself.
Now please keep in mind that coffee is one of two things I jokingly call "the nectar of the gods." I enjoy the taste of it very much - I take mine black. It is rare that I fancy it up with sugar or creamer. And as much as I like the taste of it, the smell of coffee brewing is even more pleasing to my senses. It invokes feelings of comfort and a sense of home no matter what time of day I encounter it.
So each morning I brought myself face to face with something I desired. Each morning I began to learn that my true desire should be the prescence of my Father. Each morning of that Lenten season my prayer became, "Father, make my life a pleasing and fragrant offering to you."
To date, it stands as the most significant Lent journey I have taken. And on occasion brewing coffee still brings to mind the lessons learned.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Thursday, February 22, 2007
First Time
I can only imagine what our Pastor must have thought the first time he realized that following the Christian calendar meant leading a group of mostly Baptist through Lent. I do recall him saying that he thought about it for quite some time before making a decision. So, leading us to the Lenten season, he suggested we observe it by taking on a new spiritual discipline in our life for the 40 days.
And being myself at that time, I began a mental review of what I considered spiritual disciplines. One seemed to stand out to me. It was something I was not in the habit of practicing, it required a sacrifice on my part, and it seemed very pious - I would take up the practice of fasting once a week!
I heard the audible gasp from a couple of you. You are the ones who know I am hypoglycemic and what a lack of good food can do to me. For those of you who do not know, it goes something like this: my blood sugar bottoms out and I get symptoms which range from a mild headache and slight irritability to becoming, well - to quote Barbara Bush. . . ."I can't really say what she is, but it rhymes with witch."
I know, it was a really dumb choice. But at the time I was only thinking of what I could do to show my willingness to sacrifice to honor Christ's sacrifice. This choice seemed noble and, as I said earlier, very pious.
I chose Tuesdays because my husband was out of town on Tuesdays and lunch would not be an issue. I knew enough to follow the eat dinner and then fast to the next dinner approach. I was very literal with my interpretation of fasting and decided only water would be appropriate to consume during the fasting time.
Somehow we survived the first Tuesday. My boys were young and quite frankly it was a miracle because as I try to recall how it worked, I cannot. Then came the next Tuesday. About mid-morning snack time, as I popped something in my mouth, I realized that I had failed to live up to my expectations. I had forgotten to observe Lent!!! How could I be so callous and ungrateful?
I regrouped and told myself next week would be better. The only problem was that the next week I also forgot. My first venture in to Lent and I had failed miserably.
It would be a couple of years before I would attempt the Lent thing again. And it would be several more years before I figured out what my real failure was during that first attempt. The real purpose of the Lent journey is to turn our focus to Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. My focus had been on me and what I could sacrifice to prove that I was remembering His sacrifice.
Wow! Silly girl. . . .
simple faith
I can only imagine what our Pastor must have thought the first time he realized that following the Christian calendar meant leading a group of mostly Baptist through Lent. I do recall him saying that he thought about it for quite some time before making a decision. So, leading us to the Lenten season, he suggested we observe it by taking on a new spiritual discipline in our life for the 40 days.
And being myself at that time, I began a mental review of what I considered spiritual disciplines. One seemed to stand out to me. It was something I was not in the habit of practicing, it required a sacrifice on my part, and it seemed very pious - I would take up the practice of fasting once a week!
I heard the audible gasp from a couple of you. You are the ones who know I am hypoglycemic and what a lack of good food can do to me. For those of you who do not know, it goes something like this: my blood sugar bottoms out and I get symptoms which range from a mild headache and slight irritability to becoming, well - to quote Barbara Bush. . . ."I can't really say what she is, but it rhymes with witch."
I know, it was a really dumb choice. But at the time I was only thinking of what I could do to show my willingness to sacrifice to honor Christ's sacrifice. This choice seemed noble and, as I said earlier, very pious.
I chose Tuesdays because my husband was out of town on Tuesdays and lunch would not be an issue. I knew enough to follow the eat dinner and then fast to the next dinner approach. I was very literal with my interpretation of fasting and decided only water would be appropriate to consume during the fasting time.
Somehow we survived the first Tuesday. My boys were young and quite frankly it was a miracle because as I try to recall how it worked, I cannot. Then came the next Tuesday. About mid-morning snack time, as I popped something in my mouth, I realized that I had failed to live up to my expectations. I had forgotten to observe Lent!!! How could I be so callous and ungrateful?
I regrouped and told myself next week would be better. The only problem was that the next week I also forgot. My first venture in to Lent and I had failed miserably.
It would be a couple of years before I would attempt the Lent thing again. And it would be several more years before I figured out what my real failure was during that first attempt. The real purpose of the Lent journey is to turn our focus to Christ and His ultimate sacrifice for our redemption. My focus had been on me and what I could sacrifice to prove that I was remembering His sacrifice.
Wow! Silly girl. . . .
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday
The official beginning of Lent. Some of my friends' churches actually hold Ash Wednesday Services. I have never been to one - I always wonder if at some point my Pastor is going to add one to our observances. We have saved the palm branches from Palm Sunday the past few years - just in case we do decide to observe this day. (The ashes used in most services traditionally come from burning the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday processional.)
I have actually made the mistake of telling someone they had something on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. That's a guaranteed way to look ignorant to the Lenten season!! Especially if their response is, "It's Ash Wednesday" and your response is a somewhat failed attempt at looking as if you suddenly understand what in the world they are talking about.
I am told the Ash Wednesday Services are somber services meant to lead the worshipers in to an observance of mourning, self reflection, and the practice of self-denial. Of course this is to remind us of the sacrifices of Christ and to take our focus off ourselves.
So today, for me, begins a process of pondering all of this and more. I would really rather just skip to Easter. But I do understand the importance of taking time to ponder the sacrifice.
simple faith
The official beginning of Lent. Some of my friends' churches actually hold Ash Wednesday Services. I have never been to one - I always wonder if at some point my Pastor is going to add one to our observances. We have saved the palm branches from Palm Sunday the past few years - just in case we do decide to observe this day. (The ashes used in most services traditionally come from burning the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday processional.)
I have actually made the mistake of telling someone they had something on their forehead on Ash Wednesday. That's a guaranteed way to look ignorant to the Lenten season!! Especially if their response is, "It's Ash Wednesday" and your response is a somewhat failed attempt at looking as if you suddenly understand what in the world they are talking about.
I am told the Ash Wednesday Services are somber services meant to lead the worshipers in to an observance of mourning, self reflection, and the practice of self-denial. Of course this is to remind us of the sacrifices of Christ and to take our focus off ourselves.
So today, for me, begins a process of pondering all of this and more. I would really rather just skip to Easter. But I do understand the importance of taking time to ponder the sacrifice.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Fat Tuesday
In my early twenties I heard a restaurant advertising "Fat Tuesday Specials" and had no idea what they were talking about. Basically it was translated as a really big party featuring lots of Cajun food held on one Tuesday a year. I still did not connect it with Lent, but knew it had to do with Mardi Gras.
Prior to that, a fat Tuesday just had to do with my female hormones!!
At my home, we are not religious about celebrating Fat Tuesday. Sometimes I use it as a good excuse to cook some yummy food and other times it passes by unnoticed.
This year, we are celebrating with a little old and a little new. I refer to my meal as a shrimp boil, but it is actually frogmore stew. I would serve jambalya, but my youngest son refuses to eat it. So instead, it is a shrimp boil that I will correctly call frogmore stew - that should give them something to think about!
I am also going to attempt a King Cake. My trusty Southern Living magazine has opened many a Southern door to my understanding. The following explains much to my novice attempts of celebrating:
"Trademark decoration - sugars in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) - honor the three kings who visited the Christ child on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Also known as King's Day, it marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday."
Ok, so King Cake is probably meant for January 6th, but in our home it's happening today. Like I said, I am trying to get this season figured out.
I have decided that I will wear a bright green t-shirt today - it only seems appropriate. But I will forego the beads. . .
simple faith
In my early twenties I heard a restaurant advertising "Fat Tuesday Specials" and had no idea what they were talking about. Basically it was translated as a really big party featuring lots of Cajun food held on one Tuesday a year. I still did not connect it with Lent, but knew it had to do with Mardi Gras.
Prior to that, a fat Tuesday just had to do with my female hormones!!
At my home, we are not religious about celebrating Fat Tuesday. Sometimes I use it as a good excuse to cook some yummy food and other times it passes by unnoticed.
This year, we are celebrating with a little old and a little new. I refer to my meal as a shrimp boil, but it is actually frogmore stew. I would serve jambalya, but my youngest son refuses to eat it. So instead, it is a shrimp boil that I will correctly call frogmore stew - that should give them something to think about!
I am also going to attempt a King Cake. My trusty Southern Living magazine has opened many a Southern door to my understanding. The following explains much to my novice attempts of celebrating:
"Trademark decoration - sugars in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) - honor the three kings who visited the Christ child on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Also known as King's Day, it marks the start of merrymaking that continues until the grand finale on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday."
Ok, so King Cake is probably meant for January 6th, but in our home it's happening today. Like I said, I am trying to get this season figured out.
I have decided that I will wear a bright green t-shirt today - it only seems appropriate. But I will forego the beads. . .
simple faith
Labels: Lent
Monday, February 19, 2007
Mardi Gras
Not many people I knew growing up in my tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state celebrated Mardi Gras. I recall knowing it existed and that New Orleans was the place to be. The fact that it was a time of celebration prior Lent was not something I conceived - and I'm not sure I would have understood it had someone tried to explain it to me. Afterall, I was unaware of the Christian calendar and the significance it had for marking time or what Lent even was.
What I did know about Mardi Gras was that it was woven in with the romanticism and mystery that surrounded New Orleans. My Mom had passed on her romantic ideas about the French Quarter, Cafe' Beaumond, and large Southern homes. My romanticism was even heightened by my own reading of Desiree' - a story of Napoleon's first fiancee' and by far the largest book I read in high school. (All things French, you know.) And we can never discount the impact of Gone With the Wind for romanticizing the South for me.
But being a bit on the Baptist side, I also associated it with debauchery. And my Methodist side, well most my Methodist friends wouldn't pass up a good party!!
I have not ever traveled to New Orleans nor have I ever really celebrated Mardi Gras. I have learned that it is celebrated all over - for some reason I thought only New Orleans had it. . . but no, I have picked up beads while snow skiing in New Mexico on President's Day weekend.
A time to celebrate before a time of sacrifice . . . that seems reasonable to me.
simple faith
Not many people I knew growing up in my tiny town in the southwest corner of my panhandle state celebrated Mardi Gras. I recall knowing it existed and that New Orleans was the place to be. The fact that it was a time of celebration prior Lent was not something I conceived - and I'm not sure I would have understood it had someone tried to explain it to me. Afterall, I was unaware of the Christian calendar and the significance it had for marking time or what Lent even was.
What I did know about Mardi Gras was that it was woven in with the romanticism and mystery that surrounded New Orleans. My Mom had passed on her romantic ideas about the French Quarter, Cafe' Beaumond, and large Southern homes. My romanticism was even heightened by my own reading of Desiree' - a story of Napoleon's first fiancee' and by far the largest book I read in high school. (All things French, you know.) And we can never discount the impact of Gone With the Wind for romanticizing the South for me.
But being a bit on the Baptist side, I also associated it with debauchery. And my Methodist side, well most my Methodist friends wouldn't pass up a good party!!
I have not ever traveled to New Orleans nor have I ever really celebrated Mardi Gras. I have learned that it is celebrated all over - for some reason I thought only New Orleans had it. . . but no, I have picked up beads while snow skiing in New Mexico on President's Day weekend.
A time to celebrate before a time of sacrifice . . . that seems reasonable to me.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
