Today’s Reflection
The more insecure I feel about the state of the world, the more susceptible I am to putting other gods before the Holy One. I fill my heart with empty things, with busyness, with entertainment. I worship the idols of retirement savings, career advancement, or consumerism.
The Holy One invites us to true intimacy, to a relationship that feeds us with abundant love and grace rather than empty worship of the things of the world.
—Beth A. Richardson, Walking in the Wilderness: Seeking God During Lent (Upper Room Books, 2020)
Today’s Question
What helps you reset when you’re tempted to worship empty things instead of the Holy One?
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Today’s Scripture
You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
—Exodus 20:4 (NRSV)
Prayer for the Week
Holy One, my body, soul, and spirit hunger and thirst for you. Here in this barren wilderness, fill me with your living water. Shape me into the one you would have me become. Amen.
—Beth A. Richardson, Walking in the Wilderness
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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4 Comments
Read the Bible works for me. I expect prayer would also work. Enjoyed listening to the hymns in this week’s Lenten study. There were new ones.
Colder weather, will have to bundle up again today. Very thankful the ceiling repair paint job looks great. Picked up a repaired screen yesterday. Working to finish paperwork for the condo association. Will resign at the meeting tomorrow night. The votes of the county’s state legislators was shown in the newspaper. I’m not so happy with the votes of the majority. Few of them respond to messages I’ve sent. Will see what the political climate is like in the Poconos.. Lenten study meets via zoom this morning. Blest be the tie that binds, one of this week’s hymns. A sympathetic tear shed in prayers for the NEM family. Thank You, Lord.
Read the Bible and pray. Also attending church.
Prayers for Ally and David, especially for David’s recent health symptoms. Prayers for Jill as she prepares for her evaluation. Prayers for Robert as he ties up his life in his current location in preparation for his move. It is very cold here as well but the snow is over for now.
Spending time in solitude while I pray scriptures and meditate are the ways I reset.
David is better. No more “spells” since Saturday. He continues to deal with depression. Due to our financial struggles, we haven’t been able to renew his prescriptios, but will be able to on Thursday. Please pray that the knots of the disability process will continue to be undone. We are also praying for wisdom and discernment regarding some possible job opportunities and whether or not foe me to pursue them.
Robert, prayers continue for you as you prepare for your move. Julie, prayers continue for your physical healing. I’m glad that your church has provided such joy and support. Praying also that the kitties get used to their feeding schedule. Our Lucy and Jeremy would benefit from that schedule as they want to eat all the time. Unfortunately, Lewis, Scout, and Mickey need the food to stay out so they can maintain their weight. Not sure how to work this out. Jill, prayers continue for Larry’s move and for your evaluation. Praying for the nation of Ukraine, for the peace talks in Istanbul, and for the cause of democracy worldwide. Blessings to all.
Silence and stillness is needed for me to reset. I can totally “veg” out in front of the tv when I am mentally and emotionally drained. But – doing this doesn’t restore me, it just allows me to not have to mentally work. Entering into silence and seeking His face, asking for the Spirit to help me – this is true food for my soul.
Beautiful sunshine today, oh how it helps. I can’t seem to get ahead of things at school. Stayed an extra hour today, and still behind. But – at least feel prepared for tomorrow, my classes, my evaluation. I realized on the way home I haven’t even looked at my Bible study for tomorrow evening. Hopefully I will have the mental awareness and concentration to work on it after dinner here.
Prayers for each of your concerns. May the Father be a sure Presence for each of you.
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