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Prayer and Fasting

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 “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, 'Why could we not cast it out?” (the demon) So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:28-29) Prayer and fasting. The business of life, messiness, can prevent us from prayer and fasting. Yet, if you really want, need, and believe one must include prayer and fasting to repeat healing. My husband and I went shopping today. We were looking at something that we didn’t need. As we discussed it, I found myself saying, “If it is something we really want, we will make it happen; we always do.” Faith: prayer and fasting are like that.    Healing isn’t always a cure from an illness; it is the recognition of God’s presence that provides peace. Today, add some time to fast from and pray, so that God is with you on the path…
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  Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6 This Lent, I am letting God lead me. No set plan. No Lenten books. Only silence to listen for His whispering. The verse from Isaiah resonates with me…is it a whispering to search for injustice in my life? Is it a whisper to loose chains; untie the cords of the yoke? Is Lent about being sent free? A student posed this question: if God is all powerful then why is there pain and suffering? Why can’t God just make the world perfect? My reply shocked even me…Go back to Genesis …you are to be fruitful and multiply..not about procreation… but about the gifts, talent, grace He has given you …why? Because we are co-creators of this earth. We are to have dominion and subdue it. But because of human evolvement life is messy. We have the canvas…what a tremendous gift. So, yes, Lent is about getting rid of injustice, loos...
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Stones in your path

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“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. “Matthew 6:16 I have heard a lot of people talking about fasting as a way to cleanse their bodies. Fasting has become a buzz action. Yet I find it ironic that when the season to fast is upon us, there are complaints. Truly, during this time we should fast from a vice, a bad habit to feast on a virtue or a good habit. The goal is to have solidified the new habit as a life long character. This is not easy. Yet, I am joyful for the time to fast from something that is a stone in my path preventing the waters of life to flow. Today think about the stones in your path that prevent the water of life to flow in you on the path…
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Ash Wednesday

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  Ash Wednesday I see you in the flashes of lightning In the darken sky over the lake, I hear you in the wind, Trees rustling, flags flapping all awake. I feel you in the warm breeze, A reprieve from the cold north winds. I start Lent knowing you are present And the journey now begins.
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Hope

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“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 Hope. Hope’s symbol is the anchor. I chose Romans 15:4 to remind us that scripture provides hope for our lives. I don’t think I could ever exhaust the study of scripture. In this Era there are so many commentaries and companions for one who wants to study scripture. Scripture provides us with hope, not so that we can hoard it, but so that we can provide it to others, on the path…
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Your heart

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 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 Eros. What are your passions? Do they bring God closer or add distance? What’s in your blood? As we approach Lent, it is a good time to ask yourself these questions. As I watch the Olympics, I know their passions, especially when their sportsmanship comes out. I love creating items and trying to use that love of crafting to share with others. Guard your heart, but today make sure those things you put in your heart point towards God and allow God to walk with you on the path…
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A Guide

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“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13 Today’s scripture verse is a quick reminder to guide your day. My day started at 2 am. Just one of those mornings. I fell asleep early, so I’m up early. Grading, writing, and just enjoying the quiet. Yesterday, I received a dozen long-stemmed roses at school. I thought it rather funny that people asked who they were from…my reply, “My husband, I hope.”  I spread the love by giving a few away. The best reaction was when I asked my granddaughter to be my Valentine and presented her with a rose. Her response, “Oh WOW.” Needless to say, even a girl of seven appreciates a rose! I always need to be on guard not to be selfish, not to be about me. Mental health is important to me, as I do struggle with anxiety and depression. Yet I find getting out of my head and thinking of others to help, yet I am always on guard. Today, remember together we can be on guard, stand firm in faith, be courageous, an...
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