SATURDAY, MARCH 16

Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time. (Ephesians 5:15)

Running in the Halls

Slow down you move too fast, you’ve got to make the morning last. These words to the 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy) raced through my brain on a recent Sunday morning when I was running through the hallways trying to be several places at one time and keep up with the pace of all that goes on at FPC with children and adults. In a world where multi-tasking has become the rule, and speedy service is the expectation, it’s not easy to slow down. I seldom order children to stop running in the hallways because I don’t model it myself.

The seasons of the liturgical year remind us that there is a rhythm of life that doesn’t depend on that linear span of time we know as Chronos. In this season we are reminded to live intentionally, to slooooow down, breathe deeply, to watch, wait, listen and pay attention to the Spirit of God at work in our midst so that we might experience those Kairos moments.

Terry Chapman, Presbyterian pastor and author of the book Sabbath Pause: Seven Weeks of Daily Meditations, tells of a Peanuts cartoon in which Charlie Brown is complaining that life is passing too fast, and Dr. Lucy responds with “Try slowing down around the corners.”

One small way I have experienced a slowing down is by praying in color (or in black & white) a form of prayer that you can explore at www.prayingincolor.com. Sybil MacBeth, the author of Praying in Color, introduces an active, visual, and meditative way to pray. Active because you draw your prayers, visual because you see your prayers, and meditative because you revisit your prayers throughout the day.

You do not need to be artistic at all to do this. I have found that a few Sabbath moments spent praying with a pen or marker in hand help me to slow down, to focus, and to pay attention to God’s working in and around me.

Dear God, help us to slow down in this season of Lent, to take Sabbath moments each day so that we might pay attention and recognize your grace at work in our lives. Amen.

Cindy Merten

FRIDAY, MARCH 15

The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. (Psalm 118:27)

Here is a poem that I wrote after hearing Kate Thoresen’s story about grace lights being used to bring out subtle details in a photograph. And the glory of the Lord may shine on us in the same way.

Grace Lights

How did I not know

There were grace lights

That those who love me

Were holding them all along

framing me in the best possible

of all lights

That I might, without being always

the center of attention,

be seen as I am.

No excuses;

Though I longed for the blinding light

on the road to Damascus

I'd feared it too.

The obligation,

the monster that would devour me.

But, Be, she says.

Not to be, but now

This moment.

Acceptance that shows one in the triune,

what better light?

The light

That lets me learn

finally, how to hold it up for others,

The light

that welcomes us all

To do the same.

O God, thank you for shining your light on me so that I may shine it on others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Alinda Wasner

THURSDAY, MARCH 14

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in God. (Psalm 34:8)

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. What does this picture taken with a photographer’s “grace lights” say to you?

Sometimes pictures serve as reminders of meaningful events in our own lives. When has the Lord’s Supper touched you in a special way? Where were you? Who were you with? What happened?

(The original color photograph taken with grace lights can be seen in parish associate Kate Thoresen’s office across from the sanctuary. Come on by and take a look)

Dear God, as we journey through this season of Lent, help us draw closer to you. Thank you for the visible reminders of your community of love, sacrifice and abiding presence in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tom Thoresen

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13

Now unto God who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20)

Grace Lights

“Hey, Pastor Kate, could you help me with some pictures that I’m taking for the church’s calendar?” “Sure, Betty. When do you want to get together?”

“How about next Wednesday afternoon? We’ll meet in the sanctuary. For this shot I want to show our Communion Table all set up like we have it when we have The Lord’s Supper. I think it would be a cool picture to have a woman’s hands breaking the bread.”

I was delighted with the invitation. We placed the bread and cup on the table and Betty asked, “Rev. Kate would you hold these grace lights for me while I take a few shots of just the table itself?” “What are grace lights, Betty?” “Oh, they are an extra set of lights that photographers use to bring out certain characteristics of the scene.” “Interesting name.” “Yeah.”

So I held them as she snapped the scene from different angles. When the pictures were developed, we were both astounded. The scene where the grace lights shone on the bread and cup transcended what we designed. The bread was reflected in the chalice and the flagon. Lights reflected off of the polished silver pitcher like candles. The red of the Communion tablecloth—a powerful symbol of the Holy Spirit—danced in the red reflections caught in both vessels.

That day I received a valuable lesson in being asked to simply hold the grace lights. They helped to point to those glimpses of sacramental moments. It didn’t matter that I was not at the center of the picture. Yet, as it so often happens with grace, I got to contribute to a larger picture of profound, timeless meaning. I felt I had experienced how God’s grace dances in our lives in so many unexpected ways—far greater than we could ever imagine or orchestrate ourselves.

God of such grace and God of glory, thank you for all those people who hold up those grace lights in our lives that enhance the meaning and beauty in our everyday lives. Help us to be aware of your invitations to bear those lights of your grace to others. Amen.

Kate Thoresen

TUESDAY, MARCH 12

Give and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back. (Luke 6:38)

Give Love Today

I try to be positive and greet everyone I meet with a smile and a quick chat about the weather or a reference to God’s wonderful moment today. It could be a windy day and I will say “It’s great to feel God today, giving us just what we need.” It is not always easy to say something, but I feel I want to let the other person know I care and acknowledge that person. Sometimes I feel God places that person in my view to send some joy or positive energy in that person’s direction.

I have been reading the book “Secret the Power” by Rhonda Byrne, where she quotes many famous people through history, who give great advice about living a positive life. What you give you receive. Our lives are full of give and take, sometimes we give more and other times we take more. It is a daily balance of give and take that seeks to challenge us.

When my daughter was in kindergarten, I would see another mom dropping off her daughter always in tears. I would say “Hello” and give her a smile. Later that year our daughters were friends that met after school to play. She told me that she was going through a difficult time with her family. When I said “Hello” with a smile it made the experience easier for her to face school.

We all have challenges. I believe that if we care a little more about someone else, whether it is family, friend, or stranger, it makes our woes easier to handle. I know when I try to spread some joy, ever so small, it comes back to me in many unexpected ways. When I let the negativity in, it grows like a storm gaining strength, and bad things seem to happen.

Today, use your power of positivity and spread it around. You will be amazed at what God can do with a little caring love. You may meet a new friend or Joy will find you

Dear Lord, help us to give more Love to those all around us. Help others to see your light within us and to shine our light to others in need. In your precious name Jesus. Amen.

Kathleen Sleder

MONDAY, MARCH 11

Give me a clean heart, O Lord, and a right spirit. (Psalm 50:10)

Regrets

In his book, If You Want to Walk On Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat, John Ortberg writes about the cave named Failure. Everyone goes there some time or other. Even David and Jesus knew failure and spent their time in the cave. We go to the cave for different reasons. I felt like I was in the cave after Jim passed. I ventured out one step at a time, but I know the cave. When you come out, things are changed.

It had been a rocky marriage. We did not see eye to eye and frequently argued, but in recent years we were making progress. That’s why it hit me so hard when I heard the words, “He will not recover.” I knew what that meant and I was not ready. There was so much left unfinished. Regrets? I had a few. Should we have married? That was not one.

The cave I was in is called the cave of Regrets. He was a big bear of a man, gruff not refined. Still I had seen something in him long ago when we first met. Maybe it was still there but we stopped looking for it. Would it have made a difference if we had found it, or were we too far apart? I don’t know, but at least I would have tried my best and accepted him as he was, flaws and all. Instead, I tried to make him into someone he was not. I regret that I lost a friend, not an ex.

O Lord, give me a patient and accepting heart. Keep me from trying to change others. Let them be themselves, as we all want others to accept us for who we are, not should be. Amen.

Maggie Garza

SUNDAY, MARCH 10

Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. (Romans 8:26)

I know someone who, when asked to say grace, begins with, “Thank you for the beauty of this day.” I am reminded that every day is beautiful, no matter the weather or the schedule of activity (or no activity). As Glen Tyndall would say, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Spontaneous prayer may be requested of any of us at any time. I have learned that a few phrases kept in mind minimizes the dry mouth and shaking voice syndrome. Giving thanks is first, then an acknowledgment of the day or occasion, followed by specific petitions.

One unit of my catechism instruction was devoted to prayer with a suggestion that the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer guide us to include, in our prayers, a spirit of cheerfulness and confidence, reverence, expectation and cooperation, thanksgiving, strength, forgiveness, courage, and praise.

Our study of the Trinity taught that the Holy Spirit “intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.” Sometime my prayer is simply a request for intercession, in Jesus’ name.

No matter the form or words of prayer, God hears and blesses us with her comfort and peace.

Thanks be to God!

Loving God, thank you for your Spirit within us and for your many blessings this day. Help us to do your will and be better Christians. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Ginnie Spurr