Dear Family of Love!
It's Ash Wednesday and so another season of Lent begins! Today I have spent most of my day in church and participating in Ashes To Go. Every time I heard these words"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" today or on other Ash Wednesdays in the past it always brought to my mind the fragility of human life and the need to always keep our end of life wishes current. This was our homework for tonight. If you haven't set up your advanced directive or durable power of attorney for health care it would be a good idea. Take your time you'll know when the time is ready. We all need to be reminded that we all share the same elements of stardust and in some ways we do have a little, no a lot of heaven within us. So as we begin our Lenten Journey let us all remember that we are dust and matter, and we all matter, and God created us out of the same elements that he made the heavens. If that doesn't make us wake up and appreciate the fact that we do indeed come from a Loving God who made us to be connected not just with God, each other , ourselves but the entire universe and yes even residents on other planets that are out of our view. How awesome is that. Remember that sometimes when you see dust shining through a window it looks like this:
For our Journaling our Journey assignment tonight:
Let us meditate on our Keyword : Dust
Let us remind ourselves what we are taking on or laying down.
Let us prepare ourselves by doing our "Be Stills"
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Slowly inhale.
Hold.
Slowly exhale
Pause. Count to 10.
Repeat 4 times!
Now sit quietly and reflect up the day past and enjoy your visit with God. Open wide your heart homes and feel God filling you up with Love Energy.
Here is a picture I would like everyone to ponder instead of questions.
Write down in your journals what this picture is drawing out of you how it is affecting you emotionally and spiritually. Ask your own questions.
Tomorrow's Homework:
Make time to begin whatever you have decided to take on or lay down.
Our keyword and concept for the day is: Being Thoughtful and Thankful,
Dear Ones Let us begin our nightly Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigils and Light our Candles and be at prayer:God, help us to begin our Lenten journey by laying down all the negative, hurtful, hate filled, and divisive thoughts, speech and actions that draw us away from You, each other, and ourselves. We pray that we may fill our hearts and heart homes with positive, healing, loving, and thoughts and actions that will unite us as one family in peace. We pray that we may seek to take on the CALM principle and be (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) to all of our family members.
O God as we begin our Lenten pilgrimage may we always remember it is your holy road walk and that there will be challenges set before us. May we feel your presence and know that you are with us and all we have to do is keep ourselves in your loving and redeeming arms. Help us this Lent and always to let go of all the worry, anxiety, and accumulation of things and thoughts and fill ourselves with YOU and YOU alone. Amen.
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I found this Lenten Litany written by Joyce Rupp and it says the right things.
Lenten Litany
When loved ones experience pain and suffering . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When illness, aging, or chronic pain diminish our joy . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When doubts arise and confusion fills our minds . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When others fail us or refuse to forgive us for our failings . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When we stumble and stray from the path of goodness . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When death separates us from those we love dearly . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When financial problems threaten our security . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When depression or loneliness returns again and again . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When broken relationships seem unmendable . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When our faith strengthens and gives us courage . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When the precious gift of life is recognized and appreciated . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When unexpected kindness and caring comes our way . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When optimism stirs in our hearts and springtime returns . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
When the peace of Christ calms our anxiety and softens our sadness…
Remind us that your love is with us.
When we realize that our loving presence can make a difference…
Remind us that your love is with us.
When the joy of Easter permeates our hearts . . .
Remind us that your love is with us.
~by Joyce Rupp~
from Out of the Ordinary
and this
Gracious God as we begin our yearly pilgrimage to Calvary and beyond may we walk lightly and find ourselves walking lightly upon the pathway you have set before us.
God we pray this night for all of us who are struggling with anything that makes our hearts hurt.
God we pray that we may be reconciled with all our brothers and sisters during this holy time.
God we pray for all who are ill that they may receive your gift of healing. We pray this day for_____.
God we pray for peace in this broken and war torn world of yours.
God we pray for all of our family members who are seeking to come to know their true selves and live authentically.
God we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of human trafficking and all of our family members who are in danger.
God we pray for all who travel nearby and far away that they may have safe journeys.
God we ask forgiveness for anything we have done amiss and may we have loving and forgiving hearts.
God we pray for all those who have died and are dying this night.
God we pray for all who mourn and are mourning that they may be comforted.
God may we rest gentle in your arms this night and continue to meditate upon the above questions and seek to find the answers that only come from you.
We lift up these our prayers in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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Today's wish is that we begin to find the sacred in everything!
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Good Night Lovely Family! Remember tomorrow is Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! Don't forget to get your gratitude jar! I love you ! May you feel God's presence enfolding you like a warm blanket knitting you securely in it with love.
With love,peace and blessings for a Holy Lent,
Sara
Ubi Caritas - Hurd
Rays of Light
Stained Glass Windows- Daniel Doss Band
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