Sunday Worship Meditations

John 6:35, 41-51 35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 41 Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." 42 They were saying, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, "I have come down from heaven'?" 43 Jesus answered them, "Do not complain among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, "And they shall all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Saturday Prayers~ Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You (Official Video)

"Let my prayer rise before you as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice"

Praying today for all those people who God has given us to help us through the ups and downs...
Praying with gratitude for those times when God has placed us in others lives to help...
Praying for forgiveness for those times when we haven't been there for others.


This song was suggested for this blog by my daughter, Rebecca, one of the precious gifts of God in my life~

Chronic Hope- Rebooted

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,^*
his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴ ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul,
‘therefore I will hope in him.’   Lamentations 3:22-24

Some days, we just need to reboot.  It's a great computer term that means to start up again.  Right now it is time for this blog to reboot. Over the past months I've not been blogging much due to some challenges in life and some challenges I've been facing in my own attitude.  I'll reflect upon these things in the days and months ahead.  Part of what took me so long to get back to blogging is that I didn't really know how to explain why I was gone, or where to start again.

A fresh start is sometimes important. It doesn't mean that what has come before is gone and forgotten, it just means that we choose a new place as our orienting point. As if we were moving to a new place to get a better view of the terrain.

God's mercy is fresh every morning. No matter what we faced yesterday, today is a reboot.  The circumstances that we face will still be there, but it is an opportunity to face them with a fresh mind and heart.
May today be a fresh new morning for all of us.
peace,
Andrea

Dear Lord, may your mercy and grace pour over us once again today. Renew us, forgive us, lead us and help us to start this day where you want us to be.  Amen.

Mercyme- The Hurt & The Healer

(original) Man In Nursing Home Reacts To Hearing Music From His Era

" it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,
‘For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever’,  2 Chronicles 5:13


I came across the following clip about the effects music has upon the elderly and profoundly ill.  May the music that follows that clip bring more life to your day and help you tackle the challenges and opportunities that will be laid before you.
Peace, Andrea

"Mercy Came Running" Phillips, Craig & Dean

Toccata on Christ the Lord arr. Diane Bish

Resurrection Day- Readings and Music for worship

John 20:1-18

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." 3 Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. 4 The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, 7 and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. 11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; 12 and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. 13 They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." 14 When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." 16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, "I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.

 

 

Acts 10:34-43

34 Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

1 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say, "His steadfast love endures forever."

14 The Lord is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. 15 There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the Lord does valiantly; 16 the right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly." 17 I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not give me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

1 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, 2 through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you—unless you have come to believe in vain. 3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them—though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.


Lord, on this day you changed everything.  Thank you...thank you...thank you.   Amen.


May the words of these lessons, and the music that follows bless you... Blessed Easter to each of you~
Andrea

I Can Only Imagine ~ MercyMe w/ London Symphony Orchestra

Chris Tomlin- How Great is Our God (World Edition)

In Christ Alone by Newsboys

GF HANDEL: Messiah - Hallelujah

Good Friday- no words

Mark 15

Jesus before Pilate

15As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. ²Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ He answered him, ‘You say so.’ ³Then the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴Pilate asked him again, ‘Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you.’ ⁵But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed.

Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified

6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. ⁷Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. ⁸So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. ⁹Then he answered them, ‘Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ ¹⁰For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. ¹¹But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. ¹²Pilate spoke to them again, ‘Then what do you wish me to do^* with the man you call^* the King of the Jews?’ ¹³They shouted back, ‘Crucify him!’ ¹⁴Pilate asked them, ‘Why, what evil has he done?’ But they shouted all the more, ‘Crucify him!’ ¹⁵So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor’s headquarters^*); and they called together the whole cohort. ¹⁷And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. ¹⁸And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ ¹⁹They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. ²⁰After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. ²²Then they brought Jesus^* to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). ²³And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. ²⁴And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take.
25 It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. ²⁶The inscription of the charge against him read, ‘The King of the Jews.’ ²⁷And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left.^{* 29}Those who passed by derided^* him, shaking their heads and saying, ‘Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, ³⁰save yourself, and come down from the cross!’ ³¹In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, ‘He saved others; he cannot save himself. ³²Let the Messiah,^* the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.

The Death of Jesus

33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land^* until three in the afternoon. ³⁴At three o’clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’^{* 35}When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, ‘Listen, he is calling for Elijah.’ ³⁶And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, ‘Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.’ ³⁷Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. ³⁸And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. ³⁹Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he^* breathed his last, he said, ‘Truly this man was God’s Son!’^*
40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. ⁴¹These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

The Burial of Jesus

42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. ⁴⁵When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶Then Joseph^* bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body,^* wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. ⁴⁷Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body^* was laid.



In the face of such love, sacrifice and divine mercy...I have no words.
May the music that follows, and the words of the Gospel writer move your heart...

Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord) BY SELAH

Above All - Michael W. Smith

Celtic Woman - The Call

Palm Sunday morning Worship devotion

Isaiah 50:4-9a

4 The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens-- wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. 5 The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. 6 I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. 7 The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 8 he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. 9 It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty? All of them will wear out like a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 14:1-15:47

1 It was two days before the Passover and the festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him; 2 for they said, "Not during the festival, or there may be a riot among the people." 3 While he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very costly ointment of nard, and she broke open the jar and poured the ointment on his head. 4 But some were there who said to one another in anger, "Why was the ointment wasted in this way? 5 For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor." And they scolded her. 6 But Jesus said, "Let her alone; why do you trouble her? She has performed a good service for me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish; but you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for its burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in remembrance of her." 10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. 11 When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him. 12 On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed, his disciples said to him, "Where do you want us to go and make the preparations for you to eat the Passover?" 13 So he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, "The Teacher asks, Where is my guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?' 15 He will show you a large room upstairs, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there." 16 So the disciples set out and went to the city, and found everything as he had told them; and they prepared the Passover meal. 17 When it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me." 19 They began to be distressed and to say to him one after another, "Surely, not I?" 20 He said to them, "It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the bowl with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." 22 While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. 24 He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly I tell you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." 26 When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 And Jesus said to them, "You will all become deserters; for it is written, "I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.' 28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee." 29 Peter said to him, "Even though all become deserters, I will not." 30 Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." 31 But he said vehemently, "Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you." And all of them said the same. 32 They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. 34 And he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake." 35 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 He said, "Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want." 37 He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? 38 Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41 He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand." 43 Immediately, while he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; and with him there was a crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. 44 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard." 45 So when he came, he went up to him at once and said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. 46 Then they laid hands on him and arrested him. 47 But one of those who stood near drew his sword and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Then Jesus said to them, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? 49 Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. But let the scriptures be fulfilled." 50 All of them deserted him and fled. 51 A certain young man was following him, wearing nothing but a linen cloth. They caught hold of him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran off naked. 53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. 54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none. 56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, 58 "We heard him say, "I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.' " 59 But even on this point their testimony did not agree. 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?" 61 But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 Jesus said, "I am; and "you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power,' and "coming with the clouds of heaven.' " 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?" All of them condemned him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, "Prophesy!" The guards also took him over and beat him. 66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, "You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth." 68 But he denied it, saying, "I do not know or understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, "This man is one of them." 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, "Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean." 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, "I do not know this man you are talking about." 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, "Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.

1 As soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate. 2 Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" He answered him, "You say so." 3 Then the chief priests accused him of many things. 4 Pilate asked him again, "Have you no answer? See how many charges they bring against you." 5 But Jesus made no further reply, so that Pilate was amazed. 6 Now at the festival he used to release a prisoner for them, anyone for whom they asked. 7 Now a man called Barabbas was in prison with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. 8 So the crowd came and began to ask Pilate to do for them according to his custom. 9 Then he answered them, "Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?" 10 For he realized that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had handed him over. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas for them instead. 12 Pilate spoke to them again, "Then what do you wish me to do with the man you call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted back, "Crucify him!" 14 Pilate asked them, "Why, what evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Crucify him!" 15 So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified. 16 Then the soldiers led him into the courtyard of the palace (that is, the governor's headquarters ); and they called together the whole cohort. 17 And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. 18 And they began saluting him, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 19 They struck his head with a reed, spat upon him, and knelt down in homage to him. 20 After mocking him, they stripped him of the purple cloak and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him. 21 They compelled a passer-by, who was coming in from the country, to carry his cross; it was Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus. 22 Then they brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means the place of a skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh; but he did not take it. 24 And they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots to decide what each should take. 25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The inscription of the charge against him read, "The King of the Jews." 27 And with him they crucified two bandits, one on his right and one on his left. 28 29 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads and saying, "Aha! You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save yourself, and come down from the cross!" 31 In the same way the chief priests, along with the scribes, were also mocking him among themselves and saying, "He saved others; he cannot save himself. 32 Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe." Those who were crucified with him also taunted him. 33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" 35 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, "Listen, he is calling for Elijah." 36 And someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, "Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down." 37 Then Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 39 Now when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, "Truly this man was God's Son!" 40 There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42 When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. 45 When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

---

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

notes on Holy Week

This Sunday begins Holy Week.  It is an important and powerful week in the Christian Church.  Attending worship is an important part, but sometimes we are unable to attend.
This morning I woke with the plan and hope to attend worship, but my body had other ideas.  There are others of you who also experience this at times.  The lessons above, and the music below is for us to focus our hearts and mind on this coming week.

May the scripture and music bless you.
Andrea

All Glory, Laud And Honor - Palm Sunday - VIRTUAL CHURCH

The Palms - Organ Solo with Strings †

Hosanna - Jesus Christ Superstar (1970 Version)

Mercyme- The Hurt & The Healer

Lenten Tuesday reflection- St. Paul and Switchfoot

Romans 7:15-25

I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
^{17 -20}But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
^{21 -23}It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
²⁴I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?
²⁵The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.




Lord, there are times when I don't do what I want, and when I do the opposite of what you desire.  There are times I've made a mess of me. By your grace save me, shape me and lead me into your new life.  Amen.

Big Daddy Weave - Love Come To Life (With Lyrics)

Kutless - "Carry Me To The Cross" (Official Lyric Slide)

Good morning folks,
It's been a long time since I've posted... too long...
I'm not here to give long excuses or reasons, but simply to say, as you know-- life in Chronic hope world is never predictable.  Sometimes it gets overwhelming in this wilderness, and we try the best we can to keep our feet moving forward from day to day.

The past month has been a very dry wilderness testing time for me, for many reasons. I will reflect on this in the days and weeks to come here in Lent, but for today, I'm posting a song that may inspire and encourage you.

May this song bless you as it has me, and allow you to take just one more step forward.
Hugs and prayers to you all--

One more step,
Andrea

Powerful Inspirational true story...Don't give up!

Do it Anyway

"Love your neighbor as you love yourself"



Poem found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

              People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

           If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

Oh God, often it is hard to love our neighbor, and more often it is difficult to love ourselves. Help us to do both...anyway.  Amen.

I still believe by Jeremy Camp with lyrics

Beautiful by MercyMe (Lyrics)

Feisty Tuesday- words and a song

."Fight the Good fight of faith" 1 Timothy 6:12a
...sometimes on this journey, we just have to get feisty.  Those times come for me when I least want to fight back against the illness--those times when I'm so worn out, and so discouraged that I feel like a marathon runner who has hit the 'wall'. 

Until I faced years of the same illness, I didn't understand...


People sometimes tell me that they are amazed by how I am facing chronic illness, but they don't usually see the rough days: the days when I can barely get out of bed, and when I cry out in frustration--when I fight red tape and fill out forms, and feel like I'm talking to walls-- they don't see the reaction to "the test is normal"--which is both a sigh of relief, and a sigh of frustration that we still don't know what we're facing...


Being amazing has nothing to do with it...it sheer stubbornness...and the deep, soul understanding that giving up is not an option. 


The very odd blessing in this experience is that the deeper we reach inside ourselves for strength, the stronger the power is that comes out.  At some point, we run out of our own strength, you see, and the power that comes as we're grasping is God's own grace. As Natalie Grant says, "my brokenness helped me to see, it's Grace I'm standing on..."


Whatever you are facing today, I wish for you a healthy dose of feistiness, and fight  (not at those who love and care for you), but to put toward breaking through what is standing in your way.


May the words and music of Natalie Grant's song give you some energy and some fight~ (This is one of my favorite songs to keep moving, dig deeper and trust God more)


Blessings to you,
Andrea


I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartaches
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

[Chorus]

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

[Chorus]

Aaron Shust - My Hope Is In You

Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
      for my hope is in him.
Psalm 62:5

Reminders for us all~

You say: 'It's impossible' ..................... God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: 'I'm too tired' ........................ God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: 'Nobody really loves me'........ God says: I love you (John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )
You say: 'I can't go on'........................ God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: 'I can't figure things out' ......... God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5- 6)
You say: 'I can't do it'.......................... God says: You can do all things ( Philippians 4:13)
You say: 'I'm not able' ......................... God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: 'It's not worth it'........................ God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )
You say: 'I can't forgive myself'............ God says: I Forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: 'I can't manage'..................... God says: I will supply all your needs ( Philippians 4:19)
You say: 'I'm afraid' ............................ God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: 'I'm always worried .............. God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: 'I'm not smart enough'..............God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: 'I feel all alone'..................... God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5

I have to admit that I've said all of these at one time or another. Thank you to my friend Joan for sharing these with me.  I don't know about you all, but I need reminders.
peace to you,
Andrea

ps- this week has been, and continues to be a week of tests (and testing!) in various ways for me, as they try to determine the cause of the ongoing abdominal pain I've been having.  I share this to ask for your prayers for the docs, and staff, and for some wisdom in facing this week.  I also share this, as I want those who may be new to this blog to realize that what is written here is not from some lofty view, but from someone who faces daily along with you, the challenges of understanding and managing ongoing health issues.
Lastly, I share this to let you know that I may be "out of it" for a few more days and not posting, as anaesthesia usually lasts about twice as long for me to recover from than it used to.
My prayers continue for you all as well, as you face this day and this week. Blessings~  A.

Saturday prayers

"Let my prayers rise before you as incense. The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."

As I reflect this week on prayer needs, my heart is deeply moved by  folks that are facing uncertainties:  uncertainty in their relationships with others, uncertainty in their medical diagnoses, uncertainty in their financial situations, uncertainty of the location of loved ones, uncertainty in their health situations.

Please keep in your prayers:

Those who are searching for missing family members or friends.

Those recovering from surgery and procedures.

Those awaiting diagnosis.

Those awaiting disability benefit decisions.

Those awaiting Social Security benefit decisions, appeals and/or hearings.

Those who are trying their best to make the best of the situation they find themselves in and are faced with loneliness, disease, or other hardship.

Those who are struggling in relationships.

Those who are facing uncertain futures in any way.

O Lord, hear our prayers~

Not a caravan of despair...

"Come. Whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Come. This is not a caravan of despair. It doesn't matter if you have broken your vow a thousand times, still come and yet again come."” Rumi

Throughout the past weeks, I've been surprised by the number of good friends who have commented on how sorry they were for what I've been going through.  Their kindness and compassion didn't surprise me...it is very much like these dear folks to say this and mean it...what surprised me was my reaction. 

 You see, I don't feel like I'm in such a bad spot. That may be truly puzzling for most people who read this blog and hear me talk regularly of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual struggles that I face, and that many people with long term health issues face.  The goal of this blog is to make a safe place to speak about the 'stuff' that those on this journey face, because to my knowledge there aren't that many places where we're honest about the many facets of  chronic mental and physical challenges.  It would be easy to see this journey as trudging and difficult, because, there are times when it really is.

What surprised me recently was that I was caught off guard by my friends' comments precisely because I wasn't feeling that burden of this journey.  Let me explain...I think there's something important here, but I'm not quite finding the words for it. 

You see, in all the pain, the struggle, the doubt, the challenge of this wilderness, I've also found incredible blessings and peace...almost like those amazing vivid desert flowers that bloom in the most barren places.  There is a beauty and a richness that I'm experiencing in life right now that I can't quite articulate yet.   Even though I was up much of the night last night with belly pain and nausea, and there  are real concerns that surround us in many ways, God's presence is very precious.  I won't say that I feel God's presence in all of this, because, frankly I've also had some of the most difficult heart-to-hearts with God in the past year--railing, weeping, yelling...and yet...

As one of my favorite Sufi poets, Rumi, says this is not a caravan of despair. This journey has tested the limits of my body, my mind, and my faith...and I've found his words ring true.  God still beckons me to come...just as I am, today. 

Perhaps that's the surprise...this wilderness has tested my understanding and experience of Grace like nothing else in my life. I've been at the end of my rope more than I can count, and more than I want to remember, and yet the Grace has embraced each and every time.  And God says, Come, and yet again Come, my child.

This journey is not one that I would have chosen. But it is where I find myself. It is not a journey of despair, and this blog is not a caravan of despair.  It is a caravan of hope.  I'm glad you are here reading this.  I'm glad I am here.  Even if we've broken our vow a thousand times, come and yet again come.  



 Come. Whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving. Come. This is not a caravan of despair. It doesn't matter if you have broken your vow a thousand times, still come and yet again come.

Lord of surprises, you show us blessing in the wilderness and hope where others may only see despair at first glance.  Help us to hear your welcome on this journey of life, and help us to speak your words of hope and life to others, no matter what they are facing.  Amen.”

New Year, Fresh start

²For he says,
‘At an acceptable time I have listened to you,
   and on a day of salvation I have helped you.’
See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!  2 Corinthians 6:2   NRSV

It is always difficult, I think, to start back to something from which we've moved away, whether it is an exercise plan, an eating plan or a blogging schedule.  All the New Year's resolutions demonstrate that this is not an unusual experience for most people. We become busy, or ill, or tired, or life happens and we drop away from our routines.

As a person living with and through chronic illness, I think that is a double edged sword for me.  My personality type is one that thrives on change, yet I've found over the past year especially, that routines are very important for my daily functioning.  To move away from the routines takes away some of the momentum from my day, and yet trying to get back into routines seems to take even more energy than before I was ill. I need routines to help my energy, and yet when I'm out of them it takes even more energy to get back into them.   It is paradoxical, I know...

As I ponder this, it strikes me that, in my own life, when I naturally stop doing something, instead of just picking up again, I wrestle with a blanket of "failure" that I've thrown over myself.  It seems to tie into perfection--  if I can't keep a discipline fully, I must be a failure.  If I can't keep a routine, I must be a failure...If I can't get healthy.... well, you see where this goes in my head...

This sense of failure is an additional and unnecessary burden that I lay upon myself.  All of the things I named above (and many other things that  I COULD name) are not indications of failure...they are indications that I am a human being with finite limits of time, energy and power.  I don't like that.  I don't like that I have limits at all. 

The good news is that God isn't so finicky about looking at us.  God sees us/me  very clearly.  God knows who I am...knows who we are ... without question, but with an enormous amount of love. 
I balk at the idea of needing a savior-- of needing anyone-- because I think I'm supposed to do everything on my own.  To that, God gently brings me back to reality with the birth of Jesus.  We were given a savior because that's what we needed.  We weren't given someone who will push us harder, ride us harder until we finally get it right.  We were given the gift of one who understands God, and understands humanity differently, and puts himself into the middle of this struggle to destroy the "failure" blanket, and to instead wrap us in his nail scarred arms...

Perhaps this year I might be able to see that a new year is not about working harder, or pushing myself harder, but opening my heart to the acceptance and renewing grace of God.  And when I fall on my face because I forgot that...may God once again remind me that salvation is here-- not because I work at it, but because God already has accomplished it.

Indescribable God, this new year...this new day, may you open my eyes to see my need for your saving grace, and help me to see that even before I knew it, your grace already has been holding me.
ps-- to all the blog readers--
I do apologize for the lack of posting this past month. I'm continuing to have health issues with my Gastrointestinal Tract, and tests continue.  I've been using the energy I have to focus on immediate family during this holiday season, and now that a usual routine is back in place, I plan and hope to be posting here more. Thank you for your understanding and patience with this.
peace,
Andrea


Amen.