Easter celebrations took a very different shape around the entire world yesterday, didn't they? And one thing is certain, people's ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. God has endowed the human brain with the ability to create and adapt...hence, our ability to survive. All over social media we saw, liked, shared and commented on all different kinds of creative ways in which individuals, families, friends, churches and organizations figured out how to virtually gather, make memories and bring joy to those around.
As it has become the new usual on Sunday morning, after Dan made the kids hunt for their Easter Baskets, we gathered together in our living room to worship and to sign hymns glorifying our Risen Lord. Then, I concocted a meal with whatever I still had in the kitchen and gathered around the table to praise the Lord for His Provision. Later, we hooked up the laptop to the TV screen and gathered with the extended family on Zoom for a time of catching up and laughter. Later in the day, I gathered with my sisters and friends in social media, to enjoy the pictures of little kids with their baskets and the fun ways that Easter Egg Hunts took place in a socially distanced society. In the evening, we gathered around the table again to play a board game to wrap up the day.
This morning, I think of all the accounts of those who witnessed the Resurrection of Christ on that first Easter Sunday, and remember what Pastor Doug mentioned in his sermon...Jesus met the first witnesses where they were, as they were going about their day. That's what happened yesterday. I believe Jesus met each and every one of us exactly where we were. We didn't have to go anywhere special. We didn't have to wear our Easter dresses and new shoes. We didn't have to travel across states. We didn't have to make a fancy meal. All we had to do was gather our thoughts and join together with those around us without leaving our homes...and Jesus met us there. And Jesus meets us here...yesterday, today and forever.
We witness the Resurrection of Christ right where we are today...because He lives within our hearts. And when we gather together as believers, He shows up!
May the Holy Spirit make His presence evident in us at this moment, so we would be assured of His constancy, from everlasting to everlasting. In the Precious Name of Our Risen Lord, Amen!
Monday, April 13, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Waiting for The Light!
I was just exchanging messages with my sister and asking her for prayer with a giant mess we have at work right now, and after assuring me that she'll be praying for me, she said something that stuck. She said, "today is a day of prayer and waiting, because we are waiting for The Light."
I loved that image.
Last night, as we worshiped with the Tenebrae Service that Our Church put together and shared on YouTube...we experienced the darkness in a very physical way. Only the one lonely candle representing Christ was lit at the end...and, I praised Him for Being the Light of the World. Today, that image comes back to mind as we do take a day to wait for the Light in the midst of our own darkness. Today is the day that the Lord has made for us to meditate on how horrible life is without Jesus...and how ugly things get when society wants to extinguish The Light of the Word.
We don't like the Light because it exposes our every flaw and our every sin. We say we fear darkness...but we get comfy in it, until we fall asleep...muting and hiding all evil that always develops and grows in it. Today is a day to be awake in the dark. Today is a day to be uncomfortable and to grieve the seeming departure of the Light. Today is a day to wait for the return of The Light as we rediscover that The Light was never really gone...that it was us who withdrew from Him.
Jesus spent this day buried in a dark tomb carved upon a rock. But there is no tomb so deep or no rock so heavy that can contain or extinguish The Light.
Let's wait knowing that Sunday is coming! The Resurrection happened and the curse of darkness has been destroyed. May the Holy Spirit give us guidance as we go through this Holy Saturday in prayer and expectation...as we wait for The Light! Amen!
I loved that image.
Last night, as we worshiped with the Tenebrae Service that Our Church put together and shared on YouTube...we experienced the darkness in a very physical way. Only the one lonely candle representing Christ was lit at the end...and, I praised Him for Being the Light of the World. Today, that image comes back to mind as we do take a day to wait for the Light in the midst of our own darkness. Today is the day that the Lord has made for us to meditate on how horrible life is without Jesus...and how ugly things get when society wants to extinguish The Light of the Word.
We don't like the Light because it exposes our every flaw and our every sin. We say we fear darkness...but we get comfy in it, until we fall asleep...muting and hiding all evil that always develops and grows in it. Today is a day to be awake in the dark. Today is a day to be uncomfortable and to grieve the seeming departure of the Light. Today is a day to wait for the return of The Light as we rediscover that The Light was never really gone...that it was us who withdrew from Him.
Jesus spent this day buried in a dark tomb carved upon a rock. But there is no tomb so deep or no rock so heavy that can contain or extinguish The Light.
Let's wait knowing that Sunday is coming! The Resurrection happened and the curse of darkness has been destroyed. May the Holy Spirit give us guidance as we go through this Holy Saturday in prayer and expectation...as we wait for The Light! Amen!
Friday, April 10, 2020
Remembering Good Friday
Good Friday, 2020...I wonder how it would be remembered? What would be the label? The one we were quarantined...the year we were isolated...when the entire world was practicing social distancing...the one without Easter egg hunts...the one when we celebrated at home...
I'm not sure how this year will be remembered in the future. I don't want to imagine how the events of the spring that never was, would be discussed in social study class or in history books. I don't want to make a judgement as to the validity of what's happening today or any projections from the years ahead. I don't even want to discuss the heartache I'm experiencing due to the broken dreams and impossibilities that are impacting my life right now. All I want to do at this moment is to stay in the moment...and turn my eyes towards the One Who Deserves All the Glory!
Today, I want to fix my eyes on the One Who Gave it All for Me...little, ole, insignificant me.
Today, I want to meditate on Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross, which gave me hope.
Today, I want to remember that by His Wounds, I am healed.
Today, I want to be one of the women who didn't abandon Him...and followed Him all the way to Calvary.
Today, I want to sing that sad, sad song that asks, were you there when they crucify My Lord?
Today, I want to trust Him with every detail of my life. Like the devotional reading I just finished says, today I want to remember that "nothing is random in His Kingdom. Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Him." Today, I want to hear Him say to me: "Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good through My transforming grace. While you were still living in darkness, I began to shine the Light of My Presence into your sin-stained life. Finally, I lifted you up out of the mire into My marvelous Light. Having sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in every facet of your life." (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling)
Thank You, Lord Jesus for what you did on a day like today, so many years ago. The pain I'm feeling does not compare to what you went through, but I offer it to You...I bring it to the foot of Your Cross and give it to You as my offering. Take it and make it holy and worthy of You. Thank You for choosing me, even when I was among the crowd that cried: crucify Him.
This year will be remembered whichever way history decides. But today is remembered as the Friday that was and continues to be Good, for Goodness and Light was poured out from the wounds of Christ.
I trust You, Lord. In Your Precious Name, Amen!
I'm not sure how this year will be remembered in the future. I don't want to imagine how the events of the spring that never was, would be discussed in social study class or in history books. I don't want to make a judgement as to the validity of what's happening today or any projections from the years ahead. I don't even want to discuss the heartache I'm experiencing due to the broken dreams and impossibilities that are impacting my life right now. All I want to do at this moment is to stay in the moment...and turn my eyes towards the One Who Deserves All the Glory!
Today, I want to fix my eyes on the One Who Gave it All for Me...little, ole, insignificant me.
Today, I want to meditate on Jesus' Sacrifice on the Cross, which gave me hope.
Today, I want to remember that by His Wounds, I am healed.
Today, I want to be one of the women who didn't abandon Him...and followed Him all the way to Calvary.
Today, I want to sing that sad, sad song that asks, were you there when they crucify My Lord?
Today, I want to trust Him with every detail of my life. Like the devotional reading I just finished says, today I want to remember that "nothing is random in His Kingdom. Everything that happens fits into a pattern for good, to those who love Him." Today, I want to hear Him say to me: "Instead of trying to analyze the intricacies of the pattern, focus your energy on trusting Me and thanking Me at all times. Nothing is wasted when you walk close to Me. Even your mistakes and sins can be recycled into something good through My transforming grace. While you were still living in darkness, I began to shine the Light of My Presence into your sin-stained life. Finally, I lifted you up out of the mire into My marvelous Light. Having sacrificed My very Life for you, I can be trusted in every facet of your life." (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling)
Thank You, Lord Jesus for what you did on a day like today, so many years ago. The pain I'm feeling does not compare to what you went through, but I offer it to You...I bring it to the foot of Your Cross and give it to You as my offering. Take it and make it holy and worthy of You. Thank You for choosing me, even when I was among the crowd that cried: crucify Him.
This year will be remembered whichever way history decides. But today is remembered as the Friday that was and continues to be Good, for Goodness and Light was poured out from the wounds of Christ.
I trust You, Lord. In Your Precious Name, Amen!
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Holy Thursdays of Long Ago
Holy Thursday was always very special to me, growing up in Panama, for several reasons, but mainly two: "la procesión del silencio" and "los monumentos."
Each of these events are tightly associated with Holy Thursday in Panama. In my memories, each of these events is tightly associated with my parents.
What is commonly referred to as "La procesión del silencio" or, loosely translated, "The procession of silence" is exactly that, a procession up the main street of my hometown where men, only men, silently walk or process all the way, up the long, main street, accompanying a statue of Jesus of Nazareth that represents the moment when He was arrested after the Last Supper out of His intense time of prayer and meditation in the Garden of Olives. Men fill the street, surrounded by the low whispers of the bystanders and the echo of their shoes hitting the pavement. It is the most solemn of processions of the entire Holy Week celebration in our town. It gives all a time to ponder and contemplate on the events that developed a couple of thousands of years ago, which altered the course of the history of the world. It was a special time for me, because my Dad always, always walked along his friends and acquaintances, in his tall, sober way. I'd always, always spot him right away, and followed his slender figure all the way to the church, where the men would come in, pay respects, set the statue on a place of honor and quietly leave or wander toward their families to go see "los monumentos."
"Los monumentos" typically set up to the left of the main altar in the church, it's a special way to display the Sacrament of the Eucharist to symbolize Christ with us. Each church takes great pride on decorating the "monumento" and it stands tall, as, exactly that, a monument to what Christ has done for us in His Death and Resurrection. My Mom and I would visit as many churches around town to pay our respects as we meditated on Jesus' Sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins. It was a treasured time for me, to see my Mother's devotion and faith in display, as a gentle reminder of what the soul of a woman of God ought to look like.
Today, in this cold and dreary April morning, when we are about to celebrate Maundy Thursday isolated from society...I can't help but to reminisce of these Holy Thursdays of long ago. It will be 8 years of my Dad's passing. And this April 17th, it will be 20 since my Mom's departure...but I can still vividly see them with the eyes of my memories. My Dad, tall and slender, full of honor and integrity, with the rigidity of an Oak... my Mom, petite and gentle, with the softness of the flowers in a quiet valley... the people who made me who I am ... the people who gave me life ... the people who handed down a faith in the God Above which has transformed me from the inside out...the people who loved me unconditionally...the people who I have been without for so long...
This Holy Thursday will be different in so many ways to those of long ago, but the spirit remains: a spirit of silence and contemplation, made even stronger by the circumstances of today...a calling to sitting still in the Presence of the One Who Gave it All for Us...
May our day be a "monument" to Christ and in the silence of our souls, may we hear His voice telling us: I AM Still Here! In the Precious Name of Our Lord, Jesus, Amen!
Each of these events are tightly associated with Holy Thursday in Panama. In my memories, each of these events is tightly associated with my parents.
What is commonly referred to as "La procesión del silencio" or, loosely translated, "The procession of silence" is exactly that, a procession up the main street of my hometown where men, only men, silently walk or process all the way, up the long, main street, accompanying a statue of Jesus of Nazareth that represents the moment when He was arrested after the Last Supper out of His intense time of prayer and meditation in the Garden of Olives. Men fill the street, surrounded by the low whispers of the bystanders and the echo of their shoes hitting the pavement. It is the most solemn of processions of the entire Holy Week celebration in our town. It gives all a time to ponder and contemplate on the events that developed a couple of thousands of years ago, which altered the course of the history of the world. It was a special time for me, because my Dad always, always walked along his friends and acquaintances, in his tall, sober way. I'd always, always spot him right away, and followed his slender figure all the way to the church, where the men would come in, pay respects, set the statue on a place of honor and quietly leave or wander toward their families to go see "los monumentos."
"Los monumentos" typically set up to the left of the main altar in the church, it's a special way to display the Sacrament of the Eucharist to symbolize Christ with us. Each church takes great pride on decorating the "monumento" and it stands tall, as, exactly that, a monument to what Christ has done for us in His Death and Resurrection. My Mom and I would visit as many churches around town to pay our respects as we meditated on Jesus' Sacrifice and the forgiveness of our sins. It was a treasured time for me, to see my Mother's devotion and faith in display, as a gentle reminder of what the soul of a woman of God ought to look like.
Today, in this cold and dreary April morning, when we are about to celebrate Maundy Thursday isolated from society...I can't help but to reminisce of these Holy Thursdays of long ago. It will be 8 years of my Dad's passing. And this April 17th, it will be 20 since my Mom's departure...but I can still vividly see them with the eyes of my memories. My Dad, tall and slender, full of honor and integrity, with the rigidity of an Oak... my Mom, petite and gentle, with the softness of the flowers in a quiet valley... the people who made me who I am ... the people who gave me life ... the people who handed down a faith in the God Above which has transformed me from the inside out...the people who loved me unconditionally...the people who I have been without for so long...
This Holy Thursday will be different in so many ways to those of long ago, but the spirit remains: a spirit of silence and contemplation, made even stronger by the circumstances of today...a calling to sitting still in the Presence of the One Who Gave it All for Us...
May our day be a "monument" to Christ and in the silence of our souls, may we hear His voice telling us: I AM Still Here! In the Precious Name of Our Lord, Jesus, Amen!
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Baby Steps
I read something on a devotional that had stuck with me: "Victorious lives flow from victorious days." (Beth Moore) At first, I wasn't sure what that phrase meant. But I kept repeating it in my head over and over again...until it clicked (I know...I'm very slow). It means: baby steps.
Yes! In order to have a life that could be considered victorious, I must start with a first step, which probably is going to be a baby one. A victorious life is one that begins with one day...the day of calling...the day when I receive my call from My Lord asking me to follow Him.
From that day on, the war begins...but it is impossible to win the war without winning the daily battles first. And each daily battle begins with a baby step...a baby step for the day. The daily baby step is usually a decision: I will begin today thanking God for a new dawning. I will read something from the Bible today. I will speak life today. I will not gossip today. I will be kind today. I will forgive today. Anything that would constitute taking one baby step today will defeat the enemy and win the battle for that day. And as we continue each day...renewing our minds and putting on the armour of God every day again and again, we will accumulate a whole history of days in which battles were won until a complete life rises up as a testimony of the Victory in the Lord.
Setbacks will occur...of course...we live in a fallen world and our wills are corrupted. But nothing is impossible for the Lord and in His Great Mercy and Love, He forgives as we confess, and He picks us up as we fall. Confidence in His plan and Hope in Christ, however, must always remain. After all, we have already won! Jesus won! And, we share in His Victory.
Yes! In order to have a life that could be considered victorious, I must start with a first step, which probably is going to be a baby one. A victorious life is one that begins with one day...the day of calling...the day when I receive my call from My Lord asking me to follow Him.
From that day on, the war begins...but it is impossible to win the war without winning the daily battles first. And each daily battle begins with a baby step...a baby step for the day. The daily baby step is usually a decision: I will begin today thanking God for a new dawning. I will read something from the Bible today. I will speak life today. I will not gossip today. I will be kind today. I will forgive today. Anything that would constitute taking one baby step today will defeat the enemy and win the battle for that day. And as we continue each day...renewing our minds and putting on the armour of God every day again and again, we will accumulate a whole history of days in which battles were won until a complete life rises up as a testimony of the Victory in the Lord.
Setbacks will occur...of course...we live in a fallen world and our wills are corrupted. But nothing is impossible for the Lord and in His Great Mercy and Love, He forgives as we confess, and He picks us up as we fall. Confidence in His plan and Hope in Christ, however, must always remain. After all, we have already won! Jesus won! And, we share in His Victory.
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5: 4
Like a toddler learning how to walk, let's take our baby steps today, guided by the Loving Hands of Our Father, until we are able to look back and see a victorious life flowing from the collection of the victorious days of our lives. In the Powerful Name of Jesus and by His Mighty Strength! Amen!
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Palm Sunday without Palms
13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” John 12: 13
Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem...scarcely a week before He would be crucified and put to death as a criminal. This is what we celebrate today...that moment during His earthly stay when He entered the Holy City of God and was lauded as hero. He was welcome into the city as the rescuer, the one who would deliver Israel from its cruel captor, the Roman Empire. Hence the branches of palm trees and the shouts of Hosanna along with the verse from Psalm 118 that proclaimed Him as the One Who Comes in the Name of the Lord!
Ever since I remember, Palm Sunday has always been a landmark of the year. As a little girl and young adult in Panama, I reserved my finest wear for this day. The memories of the exhilaration of the triumphant music at church and the scent of freshly cut magnolias covering the streets of my hometown along the procession that reenacted the scene of Jesus riding on the donkey are forever imprinted in my mind. As a grown up, spending every Palm Sunday at New Bedford Church, teaching kids in Junior Church how to make palm branches out of construction paper, making crosses out of the palm branches we received as we entered the sanctuary, listening to "All Glory, Laud and Honor" and rejoicing in the Lord Our Savior surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ...constituted a never before questioned reality which today crumbles at the sight of a pandemic that confines us to our homes, disturbing the normal accord of the holiest of weeks in the year...
Stuck on a corner of the world that does not see the palm tree grow, we are without palm branches today. But we are not without hope...because "beneath the cross of Jesus I DO find a place to stand" and,
I take, O cross, thy shadow
For my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than
The sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by,
To know no gain nor loss,
My sinful self my only shame,
My glory all the cross.
Let's sign today, as the church at home, a song that reveals that we are triumphant, indeed. Let's remember that we still shout Hosanna! because regardless of today's circumstances, we still have Our King, "Who in the Lord's name comest, the King and Blessed One!" And He deserves All Glory, Loud and Honor today and for eternity. Let's lift up our palms, the palms of our hands, and sing to Him a song of Victory, from wherever we are... let's allow Him to re enter our hearts! Have a blessed Palm Sunday!
Text: Theodulph of Orleans, ca. 760–821
Music: Melchior Teschner, 1584–1635
Thursday, April 2, 2020
I Trust You, Jesus
I am taking care of you. Trust Me at all times. Trust Me in all circumstances. Trust Me with all your heart. When you are weary and everything seems to be going wrong, you can still utter these four words: "I trust You, Jesus." By doing so, you release matters into My control, and you fall back into the security of My everlasting arms.
Before you arise from your bed in the morning, I have already arranged the events of your day. Every day provides many opportunities for you to learn My ways and grow closer to Me. Signs of My Presence brighten even the dullest day when you have eyes that really see. Search for Me as for hidden treasure. I will be found by you. (Sarah Young's Jesus Calling, March 30th)
I trust You, Jesus. I trust You, Jesus. I trust You, Jesus.
Over and over and over again, I trust You, Jesus. I don't understand Your plans. I get lost following Your path. I get distracted by the storm. I'm scared by the winds and the waves. I'm afraid of the unknown. I don't want to lose control. I'm mourning. I'm worried. I'm stressed out. But... I TRUST YOU, JESUS!
May the Holy Spirit give us all a renewed awareness of His Presence in us today, as we face what lays ahead. We are not alone. We are together in this, and He goes before us. We Trust You, Lord. In the Precious Name of Christ, Amen!
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