2nd Sunday in Lent
March 20, 2011
“Only You can break down the walls that hide me away
Only You can turn the night into day
Only You can stop the darkness from over taking me
Created the land the sky and sea
I know it in my heart to be true
The answer to me is only You”
www.petermayer.com/songs/only-you
During Lent we’ve been taking time to “own” the blessing of each week.
• 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
So, today, I’d like to introduce you to “Solitude.” I see the “waves” down her front. Or maybe those are “mountain tops” she has scaled along the way. This week we are focusing on our primary relationship with God.
As the Psalmist sang many years ago,
“One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
Peter sings,
“I know it in my heart to be true
The answer to me is only You”
There are questions in the heart and soul. Peter has come to the conclusion after much asking, prayer, doubting and service that “ the answer to me is only You” I thank you for making this virtual Lenten journey with one another. I pray for you each and every day.
“I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety” Psalm 4:8
We have a labyrinth set up today at church. It’s always available on Wednesdays in Lent, but today we have it going so that we can invite a larger group of folks into this ancient practice of walking and talking to God .
”He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2
Eugene Peterson has some great words about how we can be in “solitude” with God.
His translation of Matthew 6 is brilliant. I commend it to you,
Peace,
rtg
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Matthew 6
The World Is Not a Stage
1 "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. 2-4"When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
Pray with Simplicity
5"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
7-13"The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
14-15"In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.
16-18"When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
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