Lent 2021 Resources

WORSHIP
Crestview Presbyterian Church, Ash Wednesday 2021

Music for Lent and Passiontide. Updated as of May 30, 2020.  Playlist. YouTube

Worship Songs for Lent Updated as of January 13, 2021.  Playlist. YouTube

In Christ Alone.  Celtic Worship. 1/16/18

Rodney Barbour. Organ Hymn Concert. First Baptist Church, Murray, KY, August 2019.

REFLECT
Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC.  Lenten Devotionals, Ash Wednesday to Easter  Daily email option

Presbyterian Mission Agency Lenten Devotional 2021
The Way to Shalom: A Lenten Journey to Peace and Wholeness
See introduction and daily reflections.

READ
Read from the Gospels.  Spend time in the presence of Jesus.  Read widely from Christian Lenten literature.  For example:

The Art of Lent: A Painting a Day from Ash Wednesday to Easter.  Sister Wendy. 2017.

Lent and Easter Wisdom from Thomas Merton: Daily Scriptures and Prayers, Together with Thomas Merton's Own Words.  Thomas Merton. 2007.

TALK  
Lent Conversation Starters - 7 Symbols

WATCH
The Chosen - The Life and Ministry of Jesus.  YouTube

In All Circumstances

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Our Bible study group chose these verses from 1 Thessalonians 5 to guide us through 2021.  Attitude matters.  Appreciation matters.  Thanking God, whatever happens, matters.  These are the daily practices that keep hope, joy, and peace alive.

And a lot of tough stuff has happened of late, personally, nationally, and globally.  

In my circle, loved ones have been hospitalized, have had to move out and move in despite Covid-19 constraints, have had to become online learners rather than on-campus students, and have become remote employees with nary a co-worker in sight.  Beef up the home network and web conferencing skills! 

Nationally, the country is queuing up for promised vaccines while putting travel on hold, year 2.  Resuming normal interactions is still fraught with danger, what with the spread of Covid-19 mutations.  So many forego holding the grandbaby, visiting friends, celebrating in a restaurant, relaxing at a concert/play, or gathering at funerals and weddings.  It certainly didn't help that American government leaders were feuding over power and fencing over constitutional principles and practices, post-presidential election.  Defending a democratic nation is demanding, draining for all involved, and deadly for some.

Internationally, many are suffering.  Tanzania's leader has unilaterally rejected the Covid-19 vaccine for all its citizens.  No public health relief, only politics.  Leaders of other countries would like to protect their citizens but can't get sufficient vaccine supplies.  And the on-going 21st century crises continue to undermine civilizations:  rising seas and storms due to global warming, wars, sex-trafficking, hunger, poverty, unemployment, lack of educational opportunity.  Yes, these issues and others weigh heavily on our hearts.  

Have you heard of "forest bathing" where you walk the woods to decompress and appreciate beauty.  Since time began, Christians have bathed their lives in prayer.  If you are a fiction reader of the Mitford series by Jan Karon, perhaps you have read Bathed in Prayer:  Father Tim's Prayers, Sermons, and Reflections, 2018?  Christians go on in faith.  We endure by the power of the Holy Spirit.  We stand firm on foundational truths:  God loves us.  God is with us.  God delivers us through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.  We take comfort from the lives of saints who preceded us and struggled as we do.  As pilgrims, we give thanks in all circumstances, for life today and forevermore.

Keep Out of the Way

Have there been spiritual troublemakers in your life who wrecked havoc?  Have they nearly crushed you or chased you from church?  

One would think that living the Christian faith would be plain and straightforward.  Love God.  Love your neighbor.  Jesus simplified the Old Testament law for all of us in the gospels.  Unfortunately, "love, joy, peace" is not the church history record on file.  

Many are the tales of those damaged in the church and by church people.  Jesus Christ comes to mind, as the church was launched.  Philip Yancey, Christian author, comes to mind, in our own day.  On his website, Yancey "jokes about being in 'recovery from a toxic church.'"   In my own life, a charismatic church led me to believe I no longer needed to wear glasses, as I had been healed.  (This librarian still wears glasses.)  Controlling churches and personalities harm your health, job, relationships, finances... 

Scripture warns us about persecutors, false teachers, legalistic leaders, those who err in interpreting the meaning of the law, and those greedy for gain.  Human nature bends toward the abuse of power, in other words.  In contrast, humility characterizes the Messiah Jesus Christ.

Don't be naïve about the dangerous, misguided people within the church.  They are adept at soul-poisoning and spirit-crushing.  Set boundaries, separate from them, and remind yourself:  "the truth will set you free" John 8:32.  Spend time getting to know the mind of Christ, watch how Jesus interacts with others in the gospels, learn what he values in the New Testament. 

Here's the script that Paul sets before us in Romans 14.  

First, "Cultivate your own relationship with God, but don't impose it on others."  Romans 14:22

Love God.  Serve God.  Recognize that Jesus is our Lord, our Savior, and "our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free(s) us from the petty tyrannies of each other." Romans 14:9

Don't fall into the trap of trying to perform for and please the people around you.  You are always and only called to follow Jesus, full of grace and truth.

Finally, keep out of the way of those growing in the faith.  Don't become a hindrance to them, whether children or weaker believers.  

"Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is." Romans 14:13 (The Message)

Focus on proclaiming the good news which is a liberating message of forgiveness and redemption.

Journaling

"Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life."  Psalm 139:23-24 The Message

The English and American puritans practiced regular self-examination.  Self-reflection was ingrained in their lifestyle and spiritual routines.  Fast forward to now where journaling is commonly promoted and practiced.  Writing is a creative outlet that sheds light on your feelings, experiences, struggles, fears, hopes, turning points... Regular journaling is one tool used to unblock creativity.  In the The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron challenges us to start each day with "morning pages," 3 pages of freewriting.  Journaling is often recommended in therapy.

Try journaling, whether 15 minutes a day, 3 pages, or whatever suits you.  What's on your mind by day? What weighs on your heart at night?  What's happening?  What are your feeling?  For what are you grateful?  What's stressing you?  Simple yet profound issues will surface in your sentences.  Insights, awareness, and healing emerge through creative expression.  You will grow and make meaning.

I usually start the day reading the Bible and journaling.  The main benefit for me is that it helps me slow down to become aware of what matters and what it means.  I become more deeply aware of stuff I would otherwise rush by and wouldn't notice, that impacts me nonetheless.  Learning to see the good and give thanks for it is life-giving.  Becoming sensitized to issues that are escalating and taking steps to deal with them, helps avoid crises.  Reflecting on how past events and relationships have shaped you is liberating.  Noticing what keeps coming up in your writing, reveals significant themes/patterns that demand further exploration. 

As Frederick Buechner said:

“Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.”
Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation

Lord Have Mercy.  Michael W. Smith.  Nov. 6, 2014  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6jFvrOC9xQ

Transitions

Have your life plans screeched to a halt?  Where is God in the midst of crisis?  

The 2020 pandemic has shaken lives around the world in ways we can't ignore:  health concerns, business closings and job loss, restricted travel, disrupted routines and ways we socialize or don't.  

Stress mounts.  Now American deaths nearly equal those from WWII.  Mental illness is on the rise and discussed in forums, publications, and broadcasts.  So many of us have been personally impacted by trauma, fear, and loss. 

There is no instant fix, no easy way to reset to "normal."  Is this what the serenity prayer means by "Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace:"

Coping styles differ.  Some deny realities and cry hoax.  They blame.  They attack. 
Others jump in to help essential workers and the hurting.  They raise funds, give away food, or help with childcare and housing.  Medical information, supplies, and care are given by many.  What does loving your neighbor look like?

In human history, many have suffered various trials, disasters, or "lifequakes" as Bruce Feiler refers to them in his book, Life Is In the Transitions:  Mastering Change at Any Age, 2020.)  Historian David McCullough reminds us in The American Spirit: Who We Are and What We Stand For, 2017 that character and conviction have enabled Americans to persevere, problem solve, and pursue life.  James 1 encourages us to ask God for wisdom and assures us trials are indeed the pathway to maturity. 

Walk with God, hold on to your faith, and meet the day.  Your life matters.  You are needed now.  

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

"The Hill We Climb"  Amanda Gorman, 1/20/21

Family Dynamics

Sometimes getting along is hard to do.  Holding on to faith, hope, and love can be difficult. 

Family life may be blissful or dreadful.  Relationships within families can be troubled and abusive.  Creating relational space temporarily may become necessary.  Thus the foster care system.  Thus separation and divorce.  Thus restraining orders.

How far do you go in attempting to hang on to a relationship with a family member?

How do you set boundaries to safeguard yourself?  (As a first step see Boundaries: When To Say Yes, How To Say No To Take Control Of Your Life.  Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. 2017)

To whom can you turn for emotional, financial, or legal support?  Does your employer offer an employee assistance program?  Does your school provide counselors?  What agencies and resources are available in your community?

Redefining relationships is necessary work as we grow and change.  Relationships require tune-ups.  Relational dynamics change with age, with knowledge, with experience, with new pressures, with earning power...  Struggles emerge in families that need to be addressed. 

Children are not in a position to question a parent who supplies food, shelter, and clothing.  When a child comes of age; however, that young adult may reassess and redefine how he/she will interact with the unsafe.  

The powerless, whether a child, a dependent spouse or older adult who can no longer manage their own affairs, may be taken advantage of, neglected, or harmed by a relative.

Confront family issues because you care, because you have faith, hope, and love.  Hold that sensitive conversation.  Do some research and reading.  Find available community resources.  Seek therapy or group support.  Get help.  Pray.  

These stories may provide a glimpse as to how individuals process family dysfunction and pain.   

Educated: A Memoir.  Tara Westover.  2018.  childhood

The Glass Castle: a Memoir.  Jeannette Walls. 2017.  childhood

Okay for Now.  Gary D. Schmidt.  2012.  childhood

Trip to Bountiful (Movie/elderly)

Still Alice (Movie/elderly)

  

Mission Control

 "You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common."  1 Cor. 1:10

Fighting among ourselves is perennial; it's what people did in the ancient city of Corinth as well as in our world today.  We prefer this person's leadership and views over that one's.  We create factions and categorize the people like us from the strangers over there, who think differently and threaten our control.  

Power struggles undermine the mission.  Let's remind ourselves as Paul did, that only one mission matters.  Let's proclaim the good news that Christ came to set free all who are perishing and who are prisoners of sin.  Think of 'sin' as our various addictions and habits which undermine human flourishing.

"God didn’t send me (Paul) out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him." 1 Cor. 1:17  

Salvation comes through the work of "Christ on the Cross."  Christ paid the penalty required by a holy, righteous God to redeem us, reconcile us, and adopt us into his family.  Christ alone is in charge and sustains the universe.  

Knowing that, we must learn to consider the interests of others and to practice humility in order to exalt Christ.  We must be less concerned about our brand in order to promote his.  We must learn to work together for the sake of establishing God's kingdom.  

For ideas and strategies, see Uncommon Ground:  Living Faithfully in a World of Difference, edited by Timothy Keller, 2020.