Day One: Feb. 18 (Ash Wednesday)
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ “
The first time I ever saw someone with ashes on their forehead was when I was in college. My friend came over to my dorm room, and I commented “hey, you have dirt on your face!” Ingrid explained to me that she’d been to a Catholic mass and that it was Ash Wednesday. I recall thinking she was very brave to walk around with a dirty face. What if all our sins were visible on our faces like a black mark? Our central drive is to hide our sins, deny our faults, and cover up any flaws we think may be visible to others. Ash Wednesday is a day to forget all that and remember that we are human. We sin, we have faults, we have regrets, and we know that our lives are not going to last forever. The mark of Ash Wednesday says, “I am a flawed human being!” This Ash Wednesday, see if you can leave the mark on for a while. Don’t wipe it off as you walk out the church door. When you look into the mirror and see the mark, say this prayer:
“Lord, you are the way, the truth, and the life. Thank you for my life. I ask forgiveness for my sins. Forgive me when I fail and fall. Forgive us for all of our many sins. Turn our anxieties and troubles into shouts of Hosanna! Amen.”
Marji Hill – Murphy, NC
Start a Lent Journal today! Write your concerns, prayers and praises during this season.
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Day Two: Thurs., Feb. 19
Unity, a Powerful Witness
John 17:20-23 (NIV) “I pray also for those who will believe in me through (the disciples’) message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
When I lived in New Orleans, Lent was always my favorite time of the year. The occasional bone-chilling, damp days of January had passed; the crowds and the commotion of Mardi Gras (albeit fun) had quietened with the dawn of Ash Wednesday. The weather was typically the most pleasant of the year. The city was painted with the regal hues of the purple magnolias. The air was fresh and fragrant with the sun and breezes of early spring. Then, I could feel a closeness with the city not always tangible during other seasons.
In a more spiritual sense, Lent brings a time of refreshing in the life of a Christian because it provides the faithful with an opportunity to reaffirm their unity with God the Father through Jesus the Son. John 17 shows Jesus in a time of prayer and preparation before his arrest. He prays that He may be glorified so that the Father may be glorified. He prays for the disciples for protection and empowerment as they face their mission. Jesus also prays for all believers yet to come. In John 17:21-23, Jesus asks that believers be one in unity with the Father through Jesus as a testimony to the world of God’s love. This particular request preceded John’s account of the most profound story of love – Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, death, and resurrection – through which the hope of all believers past, present, and future comes.
Dear God of love, in this time of reflection, preparation, and focus, may we the faithful demonstrate more fully our unity with you through your Son. May this unity with you be an expression of your love in our homes, our communities, our nation, and our world for your glory and for those who are yet to believe. From the witness of our unity with you, may healing, peace, truth, justice, and love transform individuals and the world.
Jason Forrister – Murphy, NC
Give a compliment to someone today.
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Day Three: Fri., Feb. 20
Are you Mary or Martha?
John 12:1-3 (NLT) “Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus–the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor, Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.”
I’ve always operated with a ‘to do’ list. I leave my list on my chair so I can start completing tasks each day. I feel so accomplished and productive as I eliminate each item. I like being organized and able to remember things!
Mary and Martha both had the gift of hospitality. But I think Martha was also a list person. Her tasks were well planned and intentioned because she loved Jesus and wished to please him.
So, it’s not surprising that she brought her busyness and efforts to Jesus’ attention as I’m sure she looked at Mary’s actions as being frivolous. However, Jesus looked at what Mary had done as an act of worship. He looked on his relationship with Mary as the most important thing.
Easter brings with it lots of activities of preparation and celebration. In the busyness of this season let us focus on our relationship with Jesus and the meaning of his death and resurrection. Let us not miss what he has in store to develop and grow with him.
Celia Fish – Murphy, NC
Take a walk, listen for the birds and enjoy nature around you!
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Day Four: Sat., Feb. 21
Prepared at the Quarry
I Kings 6:7 “And the house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe, nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built.”
Each winter quarter at the college I attended there was held a Missions Week filled with lectures, chapel services, early morning and evening devotionals with a focus outward to a world in need. As part of each year’s missions focus it was customary for a missionary to be part of our weekly devotional on our dorm hall.
I recall that week, my junior year, listening to a middle-aged gentleman and hearing of his role in the community where he was servicing. Not only did share how he presented the gospel from the pulpit, but he emphasized that the bulk of his daily focus was education, nutritional support for families, and occasion medical interventions as facilities for health were miles away.
While listening to his presentation we were each inspired and encouraged to consider the need and make missions part of our vocation. Energized by the gentleman’s stories, more than one among us stated emphatically, ‘Why are were here studying English Literature, Intro to Biology, and worrying about Psychology 101? People are dying and do not know Salvation. We need to go now!”
It was then, in his wisdom, the missionary shared the above passage. He emphasized we were right where we needed to be right now. We were ‘at the quarry’. We were being prepared. We had to allow The Master Craftsman’ to work into and out of us all that could be ‘prepared at the quarry’ for use in years to come.
It’s been forty years since that dorm hall devotional. It’s possible to look back and see how preparation occurred during those years of academics. However, further reflection illuminates that each stage of career, geographic location, relationship, has allowed another ‘quarry’ to prepare for the next place God has planned.
And so, I would ask, what ‘quarries’ have each of us experienced which have prepared for later providential purpose? Can we recognize how those ‘iron tools’ were part of God’s divine plan to equip us for effective service? Let’s take a moment and be thankful for the shaping, the polishing, and the careful leading which has come from God’s work in our lives even when we knew nothing of the role we would play in fulfilling the need of ministry where we are today.
Prayer: God, thank you for your wisdom in building up the body of Christ and the work of your Holy Spirit guiding and preparing me for who I am in you today. Thank you for loving me enough to include me in your work. Help me, with grace and humility, be the hands and feet of Jesus to a world he needs to experience your Love.
David Lamb – Warne, NC
Forgive yourself for past mistakes.
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Day Five: Sun., Feb. 22
Living the Questions
John 1:38-39a “When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?” They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see’.”
In one of my early years in ministry, I signed up for a continuing education program the conference was putting on. I expected it was going to be the sort of thing where an expert on a subject dazzled us with their wisdom and gave us all the right answers to the biggest challenges we would face in ministry. I was wrong! The leader talked about the importance of asking the right question, not having the right answer.
Sometimes we have our own sense of a “right answer” preloaded and ready to fire off when we are faced with big questions. But as a mentor of mine has taught me, “When the going gets rough, turn to wonder.” Ask good questions. The gospel of John is full of good questions—including from Jesus to his disciples, his disciples to him, and more. How do these questions in John 1:38-39a resonate with you? How would you answer Jesus’ question? At the start of Lent, as you hear Jesus’ invitation to “come and see,” how will you respond?
Teacher, open our eyes to what you wish to show us this season, open our hearts to how you want to transform us, and give us the grace to respond with faith at your invitation to discipleship. Amen.
Rev. Wil Posey – Murphy, NC
Spend 30 minutes today for yourself to relax and rest.
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Day Six: Mon., Feb. 23
John 2:7 “Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”, so they filled them to the brim.”
In our humanness, we like to feel like we have earned our possessions, built our lives, etc. made decisions leading to abundance. When in fact, Jesus has always been our provider. Everything is His! We are to be obedient to his design of our path. Success is many different definitions. True success is in knowing God is the divine, perfect mentor and we are to remain faithful in His direction. He wants us to be fruitful and He expects us to be a part of this process through faith. He doesn’t want to just wave His hand and perform miracles without us being faithful in His divine process. Imagine if the servants hadn’t remained faithful and filled the jugs with water . . . .
Paula Widstrom -Murphy, NC
Write a Note of Encouragement to someone
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Day Seven: Tues., Feb. 24
Our Lord and Teacher
John 13:13-15 “You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.”
As I contemplate God coming to us through Jesus and walking among his creation, it is startlingly humbling. That God formed our world, the land, our seas, our heavens, the animals, the birds and fish, the moon to guide us by night. and the sun to warm us by day, makes us recognize the generosity of our Lord.
God has continually shown the love he has for humankind and his patience for those he created in his own image, even as we have continually failed to follow his vision of love and forgiveness for all, a vision that would have led to a world of harmony and bliss and thankfulness.
Still, God came through Jesus and gave us one additional gift, a demonstration of his love for mankind – despite all of man’s flaws – and died for the sins of our world. But before this death, Christ modeled how we should treat our fellow man by his selfless act of washing the feet of his disciples.
Though Christ was their teacher and Lord, he showed through his humble actions that he had come to serve, setting an example for his disciples then and an example for us now – to serve everyone around us with love and with humility.
My guiding prayer: Lord, teach me the humility to see all men and women as your children and therefore as my sisters and brothers so that I may think of them before myself and to freely serve them – as you did – whenever possible!
Randy Allman – Warne, NC
Tell Someone That They Matter. People don’t always know their worth.
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Day Eight: Wed., Feb. 25
Lent Muscle Memory
John 16: 33 “I’ve said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
For many years, Lent had been a meaningful season for me. I reflected carefully on what Lenten discipline I would adopt. There were times when what I’d chosen revealed a deep truth to me and times when a discipline was so spiritually fruitful that I continued it after Lent ended.
When I went through a really hard season of life, I was grateful for the “muscle memory” that faithful and thoughtful Lenten practice had created in me. Through a season of pain and betrayal and struggle, I could remember that Jesus had faced betrayal and misunderstanding and false accusations. He remained faithful, even to death, but that was not the end. It was not the end for me either. Lent and Easter mean even more to me than they did before, because I have lived in the wilderness of Lent and I’ve experienced the completely new life of Easter.
Within our darkest night, You kindle a fire that never dies away. (Taizé chant)
Ann Smith -Marble, NC
Bring home a bunch of daffodils to brighten your home!
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Day Nine: Thurs., Feb. 26
John 8:12 “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who jfollows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’ ”
John 20:29 “Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'”
Preparing for a hurricane comes naturally to us as it happened with frequency in Orlando. Not that we had that many hurricanes, but warnings were frequently proclaimed by the “so-called” experts who claimed to be able to predict what a storm might do. Over time, with very few hurricanes actually hitting Orlando, we shrugged off most of the warnings because we knew the likelihood of damage was small.
So, when Winter Storm Fern was forecast, we were a little skeptical but prepared for the projected loss of power and had all of our camping equipment at the ready.
And then it rained, and when I went to bed last night that was the extent of it. My Sunday afternoon walk in the sunshine along the Valley River was pleasant, albeit cold. Later on when Bruce came upstairs to bed he mentioned a 1% chance of overnight snow. Waking up this morning indeed that one percent actually was one hundred percent as snow dusted the landscape.
It is easy to put our trust in humans who are experts in their field isn’t it?
After breaking up the ice in the bird bath, I noticed ice crystals floating in the air, illuminated by the brightness of the rising sun. Looking another direction, I did not notice a thing. John 8:12 immediately came to mind. “I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness but shall have the light of life.” In my heart I felt the Holy Spirit in those tiny, nearly invisible ice crystals floating every which way.
John 20:29 says, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see and yet believed.”
Gail Peck – Murphy, NC
Be Honest. This may just be a simple act of kindness, but people will feel respected if you are honest.
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Day Ten: Fri., Feb. 27
The Untroubled Heart
John 14:1-2 (Wesley Study Bible) “Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you?”
As I was growing up, I often heard my mother quote these verses (the King James Version of course). As I grew older, I came to understand what they meant. Jesus was comforting His disciples by telling them not to fear because believing in God means believing in Him, and He is going to Heaven (His Father’s house) to prepare eternal dwelling places (mansions/rooms) for them to be with Him, offering hope beyond this life.
These verses provide comfort for me as I deal with the recent sudden death of my sister. It comforts me to know that there was a place prepared for her and she dwells with Him now.
Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise of eternal peace, eternal life and a secure place with God through faith in you.
Anita Sloan – Murphy NC
Look for the good and speak words of praise to others.
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Day Eleven: Sat., Feb. 28
The Wedding Feast at Cana
John 2:1-8 “On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ ”
Last May, I had the opportunity to travel to France with my daughter-in-law, Emily. This would be my first real international trip. Emily is well-traveled and took responsibility for creating an itinerary that accounted for every hotel, lunch and dinner reservation as well as the surrounding sites. She pre-purchased tickets to the Louvre Museum in Paris. She told me to research the exhibits and paintings in the Louvre to decide what we should focus on. Of course, the Mona Lisa was a priority. As we entered the Louvre, she insisted we could go directly to the room where the Mona Lisa is kept. Our entry was early in the day, so the crowds were not as great as they could have been. Nevertheless, there was a crowd to see the Mona Lisa. I was surprised at how small the painting actually is and almost looks lost on the wall that it hangs on in its entirety. As Emily made her way to the front to get the perfect picture, I stepped back from the crowd and looked at paintings on the other walls. As I turned around, I was overwhelmed by the painting of the Wedding Feast at Cana. I learned that it’s the biggest painting in the Louvre (approximately 21 feet by 32 feet!). Its enormity and attention to detail left me motionless and speechless.
Emily returned to tell me that she had captured a perfect picture of the Mona Lisa. I had the opportunity to share with her the story of the wedding feast miracle as the painting allows you to almost be present and see the water jugs and the expressions of all of the wedding guests.
The painting is more relevant to our family as our youngest son, Patrick is getting married February 7. By the time you read this, his wedding ceremony will have concluded. We have spent most of the past year planning details, making decisions to help create a perfect wedding day.
The Wedding Feast of Cana tells me that Jesus approves of marriage. It shows Jesus’ presence at and blessing of earthly celebrations. It is the first miracle performed by Jesus.
I am praying for an abundant wedding and wedding feast for my son and his bride…may the wine be as abundant and superior as in the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee.
Thought: The lesson we are not to miss from this painting is that obedience to Christ and His commands produces the good wine in our lives.
D’Anna Liber – Topton, NC
The moment you catch yourself complaining, start to count your blessings.