21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus.  22Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull).  23And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it.  24And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.  25It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him.  26The inscription of the charge against him read, “The King of the Jews.”  27And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.  29Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30save yourself, and come down from the cross!”  31In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself.  32Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.”  Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.
33When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  34At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”  35When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah.”  36And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink saying, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.”  37Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.  38And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.  39Now when the centurion, who stood facing him saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”
Mark 15:21-39

Sundays during Lent, we will read the scripture passage that we are focusing on in worship and rest.

Action:  Do something restful.

Prayer:  You, O God, are the One and Only.  In you, I place my trust.  Amen.

ʻBut in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ʻFrom the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.  
Mark 13:24-31

Sundays during Lent, we will read the scripture passage that we are focusing on in worship and rest.

Action:  Do something restful.

Prayer:  You, O God, are the One and Only.  In you, I place my trust.  Amen

1Ogive thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures for ever.
2Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those he redeemed from trouble
3and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.

17Some were sick through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities endured affliction;
18they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.
19Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress;
20he sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction.
21Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.
22And let them offer thanksgiving sacrifices, and tell of his deeds with songs of joy.

This passage highlights two truths.  The first is that we have a lot to be thankful for: God is good, his love is steadfast and never ending, we have been redeemed from sin and death, and God gathers us to himself.  There is even better news in verses 17 and 18 when we see that although our sins have consequences “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  The truth is that we often knowingly sin.  Sin rarely creeps up on us, more often I find myself creeping toward sin.  May we work to bring our sin out into the open that we might be reminded of all God has done for us and all God continues to do for us through his steadfast love.

Action:  Ask someone you have sinned against for forgiveness.

Prayer:  God, help me to drag my sin into the light that I might feel your gracious love again.  Amen.

45At once Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and set sail across towards Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd.  46He took his leave of them and went off up the mountain to pray.  47When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the shore.  48He saw they were having to work hard at rowing, because the wind was against them and he came to them, about the fourth watch of the night, walking on the sea.  He intended to go past them, 49but they saw him walking on the sea.  He intended to go past them, 49but they saw him walking on the sea and thought it was an apparition.  They yelled out; 50all of them saw him, and they were scared stiff.  At once he spoke to them.  ’Cheer up,’ he said, ‘it’s me.  Don’t be afraid.’  51He came up to them and got into the boat, and the wind stopped.  They were overwhelmed with astonishment.                   Mark 6:45-51

I have a feeling if I would have been in that boat that night, I would not have been as kind as the disciples were to Jesus.  After all, it was Jesus that told them to get into that boat in the first place.  And then the wind kicked up and the fear set in.  At that point, I would have been wondering what I had gotten into by listening to Jesus.  I think we all have times in our lives where we wonder what we have gotten ourselves into when it comes to following Jesus.  This passage reminds us that God sees our struggles, has compassion on us, and comes to us.  May we have eyes to see him and hearts that are astonished at the way Jesus shows up in our lives.

Action:   Look for the ways God is trying to work in a difficult situation in your life.

Prayer:  God, may I trust that you will show up in the difficult situations of my life.  Amen.

You will know them by their fruits.         Matthew 7:16

I seem to buy too many bananas.  After our family has had their fill we always have one or two left over.  Always.  I have begun to put those old, overly ripe bananas in door of our freezer.  On a cold night or the night before we are  having someone over, we often turn those bananas into banana bread.  Those black squishy bananas that look like they should be discarded, contain a sweet and sugary goo that makes the best banana bread.
Fruit teaches us about the relationship between outward appearances and the life of the spirit.  What looks like old rotten fruit contains the perfect ingredient for great bread and likewise in our own lives, what can at first seem like wasted time becomes reframed into a deep season of growth with God.  When I was first married I worked at a tiny little art store because I did  not have a full time job in ministry at the time.f  I remember feeling like I was wasting my gifts in that job.  Looking back, that job gave me the gift of time to spend with God and my new husband which was a blessing in disguise.  May we trust that the time we are spending with God is bearing fruit even when we don’t see it.

Action:  Look for fruit in your life in unexpected places.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we are reminded once again that they way we see things is often not the way you see things.  May all we do bear fruit for you!  Amen.

1O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.  3Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name. 5My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips  6when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. 8My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.                                                                                                                                                   Psalm 63.1-8

If you gave something up for Lent this year chances are it is just starting to get hard.  Whatever you are going without is beginning to taunt you.  Those TV shows you vowed not to watch so that you can spend more time in prayer- they are calling to you from within the Tivo.  That food that you promised you would not eat to remind you to pray for others who are hungry- it just sounds so good right now.  And getting up early to read the Bible and pray isn’t quite as easy as it was the first few days.  When I turn away from my usual modes of comfort I find myself getting a little anxious, and feeling nervous and even empty.  But this emptiness pleases God.  When we empty our lives and ourselves for His sake there is room for Him to fill us up in ways that nothing else can.  May you find yourself filled with Christ today.

Action:  Recommit to a Lenten practice today.

Prayer:  O God, help me to let go of my usual comforts to make space to feel the emptiness I try and hide.  And fill that space with more of You.  Amen.

Focusing on God can be a huge struggle: each day we are surrounded by things that compete for our affections. When we say “no” to the distractions of the world and choose not to indulge our overactive appetites for food, media images, or some other thing, we may feel surprisingly weak; even nervous. Our anxiety level jumps at the thought of being empty of some familiar thing.

But this emptiness pleases God. When we empty ourselves for his sake, he can fill us in ways nothing else can. When we make ourselves weak,he is able to make us strong. … This emptying also reminds us of how Jesus emptied himself of his divine rights and humbled himself when he came to walk with us, and to die on the cross in our place.

Read and think about the following Scripture passages as a way to focus on God this week.

17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good?  No one is good but God alone.  19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’”  20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.”  21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”  22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”  24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words.  But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”  26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?”  27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”  

28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.”  29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age- houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields with persecutions- and in the age to come eternal life.  31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”
Mark 10:17-31

Sundays during Lent, we will read the scripture passage that we are focusing on in worship and rest.

Action:  Do something restful.

Prayer:  You, O God, are the One and Only.  In you, I place my trust.  Amen

There’s something quite beautiful about having a new year to start life fresh again, isn’t there? Whether we believe in new year resolutions or not, most of us look forward to doing something better in our life come the new year. Not yelling at the kids so much, dating our spouse more regularly, eating family meals more often.

Whatever is on your heart to “do better,” remember to be realistic. There are just some seasons in life that are busier/trickier/fuller than others.

When my kids were preschoolers, I strived to have a time of prayer and Scripture reading while they were down for naps. Most of the time, I fell asleep on the couch. I’m not sure God minded. He knew I needed rest. But I imagine that the five minutes I acknowledged my need for Him before I fell asleep were valuable nonetheless.

That’s not to say we simply give into the pressures and demands of life that pull us away from leading a godly life, but we can be gentle with ourselves and full of grace for the season of life we find ourselves in. More importantly, we can invite the Holy Spirit to empower us to do the things that really matter for our families.

And do just that, no more and no less.

Ask God what it is that really matters for you to do better this year. Then, live fully into God’s invitation by His grace. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil. 2:13

I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies.  Moreover the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house.           -2 Samuel 7:10-11

God calls us to come home for Christmas.  God calls us to come back from all those places where we have settled for less than the fullness of life promised to us in Christ.  God calls us back from all the ambitions and possessions we have pursued, thinking they would satisfy us.  God calls us to let go of any bitterness and resistance to forgive that block the light of love from warming us…God calls us to come home and rest, to be embraced by one who loves us as we are.  God offers us a place where we are fully known and also fully accepted.         -Mary Lou Redding, While We Wait

Action:  Ask God to forgive you for the ways you have strayed from him.  Ask him to help you let go of any resistance you have to forgiving others in your life as well.

Prayer:  God of love and light, thank you for forgiving me once again.  Blanket my heart with your grace and help me extend that grace to others as I choose, once again, to live for you.  Amen.

“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent work by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”  Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.”  Matthew 11:2-5

The most audacious, enlivening, freeing, joy-creating, humbling, and life-transforming reality of the Christian faith is not that God will be with us, but that God is here, right now.  God is here in the midst of suffering, in the midst of joy, in the midst of shortcoming, in the midst of triumph, in the midst of our greatest fulfillment, and in the midst of our brokenheartedness.
-Gregory S. Clapper, When the World Breaks Your Heart

Action:  Remember the times that God has seen you through challenges.

Prayer:  When I have lost my way, God is.  When I am found again, God is.  When all around me is chaos, God is.  When all around me is peace, God is.  When I face tragedy, God is.  When I face triumph, God is.  Thank you God.

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.  May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”     I Thessalonians 5:16-24

In this passage from I Thessalonians we find a list of ways to live for Christ.  Rejoice, pray, give thanks no matter what, don’t quench the spirit, don’t ignore the words of the prophets, cling to what is good and resist evil.  On the one hand, this list gives us real and tangible direction in how to live.  On the other hand, this list sounds impossible: “Give thanks in ALL circumstances?”  How is that even possible?  Look at the last verse: “The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.”  Phew!  Again we see the lived out promise of Immanuel- God is with us!  We don’t have to do all this work on our own- God is faithful and he will do this.  Rest assured God is with us.

Action:  Rest in God’s faithfulness.

Prayer:  Thank you God for your faithfulness.  Thank you that you show us how to live and then you promise strength to live for you.  We are not alone and we are grateful.  Amen.

Now that our kids have all left home, it’s been intriguing to me to listen to what they remember about our family life. “Remember when…” one of them begins and the hoots of laughter start.

“Remember when Dad would take us up on the roof?” (Disclaimer required: it was a one-story rambler.) “Remember when we slept in forts we made under the Christmas tree for Christmas Eve?” (I have no recollection of this, but my kids are adamant they did.) “Remember when you yelled at all my friends, Mom?” (To which I calmly reply, “As I recall, you and your college friends, home on Thanksgiving break, were sledding down the hill in our backyard on air mattresses, yelling and screaming, in your boxers, at 2am!” Enough said.)

What amazes me is that most of the things they remember with glee are not the “memorable moments” I tried so hard to create (manufacture?) for the holidays. The dozens of cookies I baked. The hard-won victory of finding the perfect toy for each child. Not even the flaming plum pudding for Christmas Day dinner (can you believe it?).

Instead, they are the simple times that just happened because we were present to one another. There was space enough just to be and in that being, memories were made.

One of our fondest Advent memories is reading to the kids, freshly bathed and in their jammies, by the lights of the Christmas tree. It was simple. We had time just to be. This Advent, as busy as the holidays are, I pray you allow enough space in your schedule for the spontaneous, the spur of the moment, the zany, the calm. Keep some little pockets of time just for your family to be home together with nothing planned. Memories will be made.

Trust me. Your kids will remember.

Love,
Anne-Marie

Jesus said, “Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.”

Welcome to the Advent Daily Devotional and to the first day of Advent 2011.  As we enter in to yet another season of waiting and wonder, may you thoughtfully consider what kind of thirst you are bringing to this season.

Each of us have a different longing that we are waiting to have filled.  May we suspend our own hopes and expectations to ask God to once again give us a mind that is like his.  Like the woman at the well we come with wants and needs that God knows can only find satisfaction through the “living water” of the Holy Spirit.  May the Holy Spirit come to you in unique ways this season- reminding you of who you are, how God hasmade you, and calling you to have your thirst quenched by the living God who offers His living water.

Action:  Spend a few minutes in silence listening for God to reveal to you what kind of thirst you have in these days.

Prayer: “Almighty God, give us grace to drink of your living water that we may rise with Jesus into eternal life on that day he returns to do justice for all people; in whose name we pray, Amen.”