Fast From - Feast On

Some guidance for Lent that has been making the rounds in Victoria Presbytery:

Fast From-Feast On

Fast from judging others; Feast on the Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; Feast on the unity of life.

Fast from apparent darkness; Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from thoughts of illness; Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; Feast on divine order.

Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; Feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; Feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragements; Feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; Feast on verities that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; Feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorrow; Feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Fast from idle gossip; Feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; Feast on prayer that [strengthens].

—William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994.)

Soul Journey

On Ash Wednesday (April 9th) we began the forty- day season (excluding the Sundays) Lent. Most of us associate Lent with the practice of “giving something up” like unhealthy foods or a bad habit. While these might be steps that connect us closer to God, they often become “shoulds” (like loosing weight) instead of ways we can grow in our faith.

In Lent we redirects our sights away from ourselves. We are not called to feel guilt about our flaws but rather we are called to focus on The Holy.

This season reminds us that the one who creates us and calls us to bring our broken selves to God for healing and wholeness. And at the end of the season Easter is when we celebrate our wholeness in Jesus the Christ. The 40 day journey to the cross and resurrection is one we use to intentionally create the space for that healing process to begin.

Instead of giving up chocolate or ice cream (which for most of is more of a desperate attempt to lose weight, than a spiritual practice) I invite you to join us on A Soul Journey (off the beaten path). Each week the congregation will be invited into a spiritual practice of the week. I will also offer a daily practice here on the blog. These practices are meant to draw us closer in relationship with God, both as individuals and as communities.

I pray these practices will not become a “laundry list” of to-do items. The goal is not to “check” them off as the days in Lent pass by hoping we might then become more religious. They are an invitation to broaden, deepen and open our awareness to God’s presence in our everyday lives.

Perhaps you will choose one practice to engage in each day over the season of Lent. Or you might find it helpful to change the practice each day. Regardless of what appeals to you most, join God in this time of growth and renewal of who God creates us to be.

Day One: Ask for help. Lent begins when we recognize that we can’t do everything ourselves and we depend on God’s grace for our lives. Experience God’s grace by asking for and receiving help for something we can’t do on our own. (I found this suggestion on the sight ‘Sacred Screaming’ and I agreed it was the perfect place to start.)

Blessings on the journey,

Karen

young people and the church

http://www.azdiocese.org/dfc/newsdetail_2/1039?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4d7864901defce53%2C2

Moderator's Lenten Message 2011

Salt and Light Log

In the sermon on Sunday I took the opportunity to reflect on the salt and light log we have created as a congregation. The purpose of this was to help remind us of how God has created us as the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. This gave us the opportunity not to gloat but to discover how we are living into our being as ‘children of God.’ We asked, “What does it mean to live who you are created to be?”

Here is an excerpt from Sunday’s sermon:

“I heard from quite a few of you this week how you are salt and light. Thank you for your responses, many of them touched my heart and I know for many of you doing this assignment helped draw you closer to your identity in God and Christ. I would like to share with you now some of what I heard.

In this place and beyond you are blessed, you are salt and light and you are living into who you are created to be...

I learned this week that you shine your light as you hire people who really need it to do odd jobs, and as you knit prayer shawls and toques, and make quilts for the community.

I learned that On Wednesday night the Bethany Unit made up 23 treat bags for the Women's Centre filled with toiletries and cosmetic samples as well as a Food Basket for them to raffle at their store.

I learned that you are salt and light as you take people to appointments even when their gratitude is hard to see

People have told me some of you are light for them because you listen and offer a positive perspective and attitude.

Some of you offer the salt and light of advice and wisdom even when you don’t always see the results of changed lives

You try to be honest and trustworthy, and help others in need.

You strive to be good friends and listeners.

I love how some of you admitted that most of the time you do these things with a willing heart but it can be hard. Sometimes being salt and light calls us to stretch ourselves to see the face of Christ in the most unlikely times and circumstances.

In this place people are salt as they prepare meals for other with a desire to enhance their life.

You are salt and light as:

You encourage forgiveness.

You listen even when you can’t solve the problem

You appreciate God’s world with gratitude and awareness

You do your best to value the earth and preserve if for future generations.

You share your resources with those who do not have all that you do.

You value loving kindness and pray for peace and justice.

You care for children and seek to teach and offer them hope and light

You try to live the mantra “May I see the face of Christ in others and may they see the face of Christ in me".

You ask yourself when you are frustrated or angry "What would Jesus do?"

You sing or assist with the choir

You seek to offer a light presence that others might be lifted up.

You participate in things like UCW, worship committee and others

You bake for funerals or assist at the tea

When you help others you recognize how fortunate you are.

You work and care for people with disabilities, with children, with adults, with seniors, and friends

You volunteer for a variety of agencies, you care for the community, and you throw parties for the neighbours.

Some of you are salt and light as you are intentional in your life and as you work and live as a critical thinker.

Some of you have chosen to do overseas work, and some have chosen to daily pray for others, some of you do your best to always believe in new possibilities, you volunteer and seek to live light every day in your work lives.

You won’t be shocked that many of you let me know how difficult this was to do and a few of you could only do it for others. But that was the point in a lot of ways it was to help remind us of our identity. We quickly forget who we are, and that we have been called salt and light, that we have been blessed to be a blessing along with so many before us.

Some of you were shocked to discover that you actually do have the light of Christ in your very being. That in discovering how you live salt and light every day you discovered more of who you are and you remembered how then you shall be. Our lives do have purpose and meaning and that is why we are here to continue to discover that and live into our wholeness.

...Choose life in the light of Christ.

Amen.

A letter to reflect on

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/features/24374-an-open-letter-to-american-churches

Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

You have been called the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We can spend much time being discouraged by the evil, darkness, and destruction in our world. Today's proverb reminds us that we can be a part of changing our world for the better. How are you salt and light in your world? Who has been salt and light for you?

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