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Holy In-Between Saturday

Gracious Lord and Only Saviour, this is the day of in-between.  Yesterday, Good Friday, we remembered how You bled and died for us, and tomorrow we will celebrate anew Your resurrection from the dead.  But today, Saturday, is the time of stillness and, perhaps a time to remember the grave.  Ah, Holy Jesus, how piercing to my soul to remember that without Your lying in the grave it would have been all that was left for us.  You truly died.  You were buried, wrapped in the spices of myrrh and aloes, sealed within the tomb.  I know that tomb could not hold you - and that because of that it cannot hold me either. How can I ever express what that means to me, O Loving and Merciful God?  How can my heart do anything other than soar with praises to You?  And yet I am filled with sorrow when I think of those who continue to pass You by.  I grieve to think on those who continue to hurl insults and demand Your crucifixion, still trying to blot You out, denying that You have any right to be here - You who created the heavens and the earth.  Why do so many still choose ultimate death over life, my Lord?  Forgive me if it be because of anything I say or that I do, or don't say or don't do.  Let me show forth Your life, Your light, Your love with all of my being!  May I - even I - be privileged to manifest Your goodness into Your world, that none may find themselves eternally in the tomb of Saturday death, but be joined with You, Father Son Spirit, in eternal resurrection life!  Alleluia!  Amen!  

Your Valentine

Father God it is so cold outside.  How easy it is to take the warmth and shelter of my home for granted.  I can go make a steaming hot drink.  I can sip on simmering soup.  Even if I need to save pennies and turn the thermostat down, I can wrap up in a blanket and encourage the dog to lay across on my lap. Forgive me when I take these precious things for granted.  Forgive me when I take what I have and forget to share with those who are in need.  Warm my heart with Your love, O Lord Jesus, that I may warm the hearts of others with kindness and compassion passed on in Your Holy Name and for Your Love's sake.  Especially this Valentine's weekend, when the lonely are feeling cold, when those without someone to share their shelter are feeling empty, enable me to spread Your warmth.  Help me, O Holy Spirit, to care as You care - without counting the cost, without looking for anything in return.  Thank You that we are all Your Valentines, dear God.  May I keep You close in the warmth of my heart always and forever - Amen.

Ashes to ashes

Good and Gracious Father-God, it is so hard to look our own mortality in the face.  Our culture encourages us to turn aside and ignore it, even to try to run from it and always strive to look and feel younger.  And yet today, on Ash Wednesday, You whisper to us to, "Remember, O mortal, that you are dust; and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)  Help me to remember, dear Lord, what it is You have done for  me.  Help me to look death in the face and be able to shout with Paul, that we have victory even over death through Your death and resurrection!  Lord, I believe, but I beg that You would help my unbelief because, like the child that I am, I get scared... and want to run away... and not think on these things.  Help me to believe in the depths of my soul that You died so that I may have eternal life and never die.  Hold tight to my hand, dear Jesus, with Your nail-scarred hand, that I may walk even through the valley of the shadow of death itself and fear no evil because You're with me.  You are my Light, my Life, my Salvation and on You, You alone - not this vapid culture! - I depend.  All praise to You, Father Son Spirit, now and forever and ever and ever, Amen!

God's Voice

It's a new and beautiful day, Father God!  There is a slight breeze and the sun is warming the earth and drying the mud.  In the distance there is birdsong, but I have to stop and listen for it or it melts away unnoticed.  Is that how I am with Your voice, Lord?  You are here, You are speaking to the whole world, but we don't seem to notice.  Forgive me for my indifference to You and unblock my ears to Your voice.  I know that what You have to say is much more important than anything on the television, my computer or phone.  Forgive me for listening to the voices of the world far, far more than I listen to Your voice, dear Holy Spirit.  You are right here, in the stillness of this day and in the pages of Your Word.  Don't let me turn away.  Whisper to my heart, my mind, my soul.  Draw me ever closer, I pray.  Thank You for for Your voice, blessed Triune God.  Amen

The Sacredness of the Everyday

Father, Son, Spirit, wonderful and mysterious God of us all, we profess that You are indeed mysterious to us.  You are so beyond what or who we can image You to be that we are lost in wonder and made speechless in awe.  There are no words which can truly describe the fullness of Your nature... and yet... You urge us to see You through everyday images like Father, Shepherd, Bridegroom - even as Friend!  Forgive us when we don't recognise You with us the everyday times of our lives.  Forgive us when we think You can't be interested in or bothered with the commonality of our daily existence.  You bless us with every day! May we give You the glory and praise in the midst of the normal, everyday times, each and every day.  For each moment is sacred.  Each second is created as a gift from You, FatherSonSpirit, mysterious and awesome God of the everyday.  Amen!

In perspective

Heavenly Father, You are the One I should turn to first, not as a last resort. Thank You for calling me to Your side and inviting me to sit with You.  You help me to keep things in perspective, especially when the world seems to be flying off in terrible directions.  It can be such a scary place and I am so blessed to be able to crawl up into Your lap and listen to Your heart beat, reminding me of the strength of Your love.  Forgive me when I am cynical.  Forgive me when I doubt You or Your intentions.  Forgive me when I lose touch with Your overwhelming care and compassion, Your protection and encouragement.  Thank You, blessed Son, for holding onto me through whatever darkens my life.  I am washed in Your comfort and indescribable goodness, O Holy Spirit.  May Your praise be always on my lips and in my heart - forever and ever and ever, may I hear the angles sing!  Amen.