Daily Lent Readings

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

¹ Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;
answer me, for I need your help.
² Protect me, for I am devoted to you.
Save me, for I serve you and trust you.
You are my God.
³ Be merciful to me, O Lord,
for I am calling on you constantly.
⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord,
for I give myself to you.
⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
hear my urgent cry.
⁷ I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,
and you will answer me.

⁸ No pagan god is like you, O Lord.
None can do what you do!
⁹ All the nations you made
will come and bow before you, Lord;
they will praise your holy name.
¹⁰ For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.

¹¹ Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you.
¹² With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to your name forever,
¹³ for your love for me is very great.
You have rescued me from the depths of death.^[a]

¹⁴ O God, insolent people rise up against me;
a violent gang is trying to kill me.
You mean nothing to them.
¹⁵ But you, O Lord,
are a God of compassion and mercy,
slow to get angry
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
¹⁶ Look down and have mercy on me.
Give your strength to your servant;
save me, the son of your servant.
¹⁷ Send me a sign of your favor.
Then those who hate me will be put to shame,
for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

"When You're Feeling the Pressure"

This link will take you to my blog read for today. I adore Amy's style and humility.

Beauty for Ashes

Our current church observes the season of Lent, something I didn't practice growing up Southern Baptist. I always thought it was so Catholic, and therefore, so "other." But I've found a beautiful time of reflection and humility in this season that makes Easter all the more meaningful. Last year, I participated in the church's artistic observance by writing a poem and this year I had the privilege to paint a canvas, both depicting the Agony of Sorrow Christ went through.

This year, I've been praying about what God would have me abstain from, but I didn't feel a calling in the conventional tangibles (movies, chocolate, etc.). Instead I sensed God was asking me to open up and clean out the filth: anger, a critical spirit toward others, and my "what-if" worry cycles. Yes, I realize this list is a lot to manage in 40 short days, but I think part of the beauty is that God's reminded me that I can't clean out the junk on my own. I have to humble myself before Him, seek His truth, trust His plan, and submit my emotions to Him. If I do that--plenty, I know--He'll clean my heart and turn my ashes to beauty.

Peace & Quiet

In a world swirling with electronic waves, sounds and sights overwhelm the senses. The challenge lies in finding a chink of time to be still, to hear... nothing, to watch... nothing--to be in quiet.

For some of you, quiet brings an uncomfortable status, but the question must be asked, "if we're never quiet, how are we supposed to fully hear God's voice?"

As we approach the season of Lent, a time of remembering, repenting, and sacrifice, I'd encourage you all to give up sound. I realize that giving up all electronic devices is next to impossible, especially for 40 days--I myself can't do it because of my job alone--but we can give up time in the day, each day, when we shut off our phones, our computers, our I Pods and TVs. It is possible. And it's a good way to sacrifice in order to gain some quality listening time with the Lord.

What are you giving up for Lent?