Lent Daybook, 20: God is kind, but he's not soft

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Saint Catherine's Monastery
source

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read

Psalm 39:7-13 / Romans 2:1-8 (MSG)

“What am I doing in the meantime, Lord?
    Hoping, that’s what I’m doing—hoping
You’ll save me from a rebel life,
    save me from the contempt of dunces.
I’ll say no more, I’ll shut my mouth,
    since you, Lord, are behind all this.
    But I can’t take it much longer.
When you put us through the fire
    to purge us from our sin,
    our dearest idols go up in smoke.
Are we also nothing but smoke?

“Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my
    cry—open your ears.
Don’t be callous;
    just look at these tears of mine.
I’m a stranger here. I don’t know my way—
    a migrant like my whole family.
Give me a break, cut me some slack
    before it’s too late and I’m out of here.” /

Those people are on a dark spiral downward. But if you think that leaves you on the high ground where you can point your finger at others, think again. Every time you criticize someone, you condemn yourself. It takes one to know one. Judgmental criticism of others is a well-known way of escaping detection in your own crimes and misdemeanors. But God isn’t so easily diverted. He sees right through all such smoke screens and holds you to what you’ve done. 

You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life-change. 

You’re not getting by with anything. Every refusal and avoidance of God adds fuel to the fire. The day is coming when it’s going to blaze hot and high, God’s fiery and righteous judgment. Make no mistake: In the end you get what’s coming to you—Real Life for those who work on God’s side, but to those who insist on getting their own way and take the path of least resistance, Fire! 

all readings for the day: Psalm 39;  Jeremiah 11:1-17; Romans 2:1-11

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pray

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

Poor Wayfaring Stranger by Red Mountain Church

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Fast from a meal today. During the time you would have been eating, sit quietly and pray the Jesus Prayer. ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us.")

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Lent Daybook, 19: come, buy and eat!

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

An aid worker distributes bread and supplies to migrants at a transition camp September 7, 2015 in Magyarkanizsa, Serbia.  source

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read

Isaiah 55:1-9

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 

Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

all readings for the day: Isaiah 55:1-9 • Psalm 63:1-8 • 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 • Luke 13:1-9

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pray

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (source)

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listen

GAll Who Are Thirsty by Vineyard Music

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

As you worship in your local congregation today, be especially thoughtful about the gift of the bread and wine given to us by the very real and present Christ.  Thank Him for feeding you body, mind and spirit.

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Lent daybook, 18: God's gonna cut you down

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

Storm, 1935
Sybil Andrews
source

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read

Isaiah 5:1-7 / Luke 6:43-45 (MSG)  

I’ll sing a ballad to the one I love, a love ballad about his vineyard:
The one I love had a vineyard, a fine, well-placed vineyard.
He hoed the soil and pulled the weeds, and planted the very best vines. He built a lookout, built a winepress, a vineyard to be proud of. He looked for a vintage yield of grapes, but for all his pains he got junk grapes.

“Now listen to what I’m telling you, you who live in Jerusalem and Judah. What do you think is going on between me and my vineyard? Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard that I didn’t do? When I expected good grapes,why did I get bitter grapes?

“Well now, let me tell you what I’ll do to my vineyard: I’ll tear down its fence and let it go to ruin. I’ll knock down the gate
and let it be trampled. I’ll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for—thistles and thorns will take over. I’ll give orders to the clouds: ‘Don’t rain on that vineyard, ever!’”

Do you get it? The vineyard of God-of-the-Angel-Armies is the country of Israel. All the men and women of Judah are the garden he was so proud of. He looked for a crop of justice and saw them murdering each other. He looked for a harvest of righteousness and heard only the moans of victims. /

“You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

all readings for the day: Psalm 63:1-8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Luke 6:43-45

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pray

(Pray with a friend or member of your family. One lead, the other(s) respond with the italicized portions.) 

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. Silence

For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For our church leaders, [N._______], all bishops and other ministers; For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns in our church, family and home. Silence 

Add your own petitions

Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. Silence

Add your own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. Silence

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Silence may be kept.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown,
things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (source)

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listen

God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Today, visit a museum or art gallery.  Do not try to see everything.  Do not hurry.

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Lent daybook, 17: I know your works

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

Dead Bishops
Fernando Botero, 1965
source

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read

Isaiah 58:1-12 / Revelation 3:1-6  

But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. / “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.

“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. 

If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

all readings for the day: Psalm 63:1-8; Daniel 12:1-4; Revelation 3:1-6

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pray

God of the living,through baptism we pass from the shadow of death to the light of the resurrection. Remain with us and give us hope that, rejoicing in the gift of the Spirit who gives life to our mortal flesh, we may be clothed with the garment of immortality, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (source)

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listen

Judas Song, Pt. 2: The Betrayer by Green Carpet Players

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Fast today from all forms of entertainment or from a meal.  Take that time instead to pray and examine your conscience. St. Ignatius of Loyola modelled a spiritual discipline of prayer called the Examen.  Pray through the questions listed here.  Ask God what areas of your life you have placed a "No Trespassing" sign to avoid His guidance or correction. Seek repentance and reconciliation with Him, and, if needed, with others. (source: 40 Days of Decrease)

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)

Lent daybook, 16: do not fear what you are about to suffer

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

A new icon for the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya, 2015
Tony Rezk
source

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read

Psalm 63:1-4 / Revelation 2:8-11 

O God, you are my God; earnestly 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.

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands. / 

 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.

“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’...

all readings for the day: Psalm 63:1-8; Daniel 3:19-30; Revelation 2:8-11

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pray

God of the covenant, in the glory of the cross your Son embraced the power of death and broke its hold over your people. In this time of repentance, draw all people to yourself, that we who confess Jesus as Lord may put aside the deeds of death and accept the life of your kingdom. Amen. (source)

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listen

21 (A Song Written for the Egyptian Martyrs) by Benji Cowart

h/t: Global Worship blog

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist )

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do

Read/watch the Coptic Christian Bishop publicly forgive the killers 

Read how Libya's martyrs are witnessing to Egypt (2015)

A year ago this month, 21 followers of Christ lived out the upside-down call of the Gospel to count nothing -- even their own lives -- more precious than the worship of Christ.

Today's reading from Revelation calls those "who have an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches..." It feels to me that, instead of responding to the outrageous discipleship of these Coptic Christians with a renewed commitment to live with the same sort of outrageous love, the American church has instead renewed rhetoric of fear, hatred for our enemies, and worship of personal safety and economic flourishing.

Today, may we confess our sin and truly follow Christ above all other gods. Lord, have mercy on us.

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)