h2o devos FIA "Good + Plennty"

H2o devos fia 031011 Good & Plenty
Thursday

“Have a little faith in angels
You never know where they might be
Have a little faith in angels
And you might begin to see
You could have a little faith in you and me”
www.petermayer.com/songs/faith-in-angels

I have to laugh each time I look at Delia’s creation called “Plentitude.” There as wings are keys from an old cash register. “Plentitude” represents an attitude born out of abundance. I suppose “Plentitude” probably has an evil twin named “Scarcitude” who was born out of a fear of not ever having enough. Perhaps the wings of “Scarcitude” would be some kind of vacuum hose (inhaling and sucking up everything in one’s way).

St. Paul wrote,
“I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need.” Phil 4:12
Yesterday I wrote about balance. Here St. Paul seems to be sharing an attitude of “Plentitude.” It is almost a sense of Holy “whatevers”. Whatever the situation, be it full or empty there is a sense that it is going to be alright.

Peter sings,
“Have a little faith in angels
You never know where they might be
Have a little faith in angels
And you might begin to see
You could have a little faith in you and me”
So, here is an invitation to “have a little faith.” This “little faith in angels” produces a positive net effect with big dividends. Namely one’s vision increases so that can make a leap of faith in believing in another and in one’s own self.

Our congregation's theme this year is "Blessed to be a Blessing." Our Lenten journey for worship on Sundays and Wednesdays will focus on the following:
• The Blessing of Fasting
• The Blessing of Solitude
• The Blessing of Community
• The Blessing of being Unplugged
• The Blessing of being Plugged in
• The Blessing of Feasting

Each week we will attempt to figure out what it means to own that week’s particular blessings.

The first week of Lent is about the blessing of fasting. Initially, when we hear the word “fasting” we normally think of doing without food. We will talk about this in a few days. But, today, I’d like for you to gain a sense of fasting from Christina Rees who has written In her book, Feast + Fast-Food for Lent and Easter (pg. 53-54) the following things to “fast” from or simply give up during Lent:
Procrastination
Apathy
Envy
Jealousy
Greed
Laziness
Indifference
Chocolate
Sugar
Chips
Crisps
Alcohol
Sweets
Meat
Processed food
Criticizing
Negative thoughts
Cynicism
Worry
Being miserable
Holding grudges
Feelings of revenge
Feeling like a victim
Putting yourself down
Judging yourself
Judging others
Gossiping
Making excuses
Blaming others
Shopping for things you don’t need
Watching TV
Listening to the radio
Reading newspapers
Going on the internet

The first seven sound very much like the SEVEN DEADLY Sins.

Today is a time to focus on being “good” and realizing the “plenty” that most of us have.
Celebrate the gift of “Plentitude” today.

Peace,
rtg