Third Sunday in Lent
Today’s Reflection
IN DESERT dryness, a struggle for life, survival in a barren land. God speaks against the desert of dishonor, of ritual and rule and rote, with no Spirit. And God speaks for true worship and life flourishing –- with justice pervasive as splashing mountain waters, with righteousness flowing as neverending streams.
From p. 64 of ALIVE NOW, July/August 2004, “Out of the Wilderness” by Roberta Porter. Copyright (c) 2004 by The Upper Room. Used by permission of The Upper Room(R). Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Describe an experience of true worship of God. Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
The Lord says, “Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life!”
- Isaiah 55:3, GNT
Follow a Lenten path of prayer at www.theawkwardseason.com.
This Week …
- Special Need:
- This Week: Pray for people who give of themselves for others. Add your prayer to the Prayer Wall.
- Tips for Your Spirit:
- These days, many of us are struggling with hard times. Read, reflect, and pray: Meditation for Hard Times.
- Saints, Inc.:
- This week we remember Katherine Drexel (March 03).
- Lectionary Readings:
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Today’s Reflection
BY PRAYING with every part of who we are, we allow the grace that pours from the well of living water to trickle through all aspects of our being, nourishing and hydrating that which was parched and dis-eased.
- Daniel Wolpert
Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer PracticesFrom p. 159 of CREATING A LIFE WITH GOD: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices by Daniel Wolpert. Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel Wolpert. Used by permission of The Upper Room(R). All Rights Reserved. http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Spend five more minutes with God in prayer today. Share your reflections.
Today’s Scripture Reading
I’m asking God for one thing, only one thing: to live with him in his house my whole life long.
- Psalm 27:4, The Message
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My truest moments of worship come when I am completely humbled. Which isn’t often. They take on two different forms. When I admit that I am at the end of my rope – and I call out to my Father – seeking strength and wisdom in an area that is a weakness, that Satan is just unmercifully using. It is at that point that I am fully bowed before the Throne of Grace. Why don’t I take this stance more often – selfish pride. The other form is when I have explicitly experienced His movement/or a victory because of Him – completely because of Him and nothing to my own credit – and I am humbled and bowed into humility. Those are unbelievably humbling experiences – and I yearn for more of them. But, I am afraid that my selfish pride gets in the way – I am letting Satan have power instead of my most loving Heavenly Father.
Father – I come to Your Cross again. Reveal to me what You will.
When I recognize that the Holy Spirit has revealed s truth to me, that is worship and I say thank you, Heavenly Father.
My experience of ‘true worship’ came a few weeks ago during communion at church. It was such a spiritual experience for me, and I felt so in touch with God. I felt as though I was the only one in the room as I partook in the ritual. I felt so close to God. I’ll never forget how I felt.
It seems the past few days I have felt down and empty. I seek ordination, yet I seem far away from it as ever. But the Isaiah message in V. 3 Come to me and I will give you life. Isn’t that comforting? And in the Epistle reading 1 Cor. 10:9, no one is tested in a way uncommon to others–paraphrase. Should I think more of others as so many do? Should I try to get off my thoughts of just me? If I do, maybe there will be more room for the wonderful God who loves me no matter what. God, guide me as I seek you earnestly. My soul does truly thirst for you. Amen.
When I get up in the morning and the earth is covered with darkness, God is there. I seek him and he gives me strength for the day. When the colors are revealed I recognize his handiwork in creating those colors every day to show his glory and hiding them every night to show his faithfulness. What an amazing God! This is my habit of worship.
Desert dryness for me ties into yesterday’s reflection about accepting the ups and downs of life. Perhaps one purpose of dryness is to help me really appreciate the soothing waters when they come. About worship, I’m very moved at baptism’s and funerals for they honor life; a beginning and an end of a physical life. A continuation of a spiritual life. Special shout-out to Cindy Lou above–I’ve been there and suspect will be there again.
My most recent experience of true worship of God was this morning at Mass. There was no out of the ordinary feeling or emotion but I participated in singing the hymns, responded with spoken prayers and took Holy Communion in the fellowship of my Christian brothers and sisters.
I had a pastor who would pray silently during the singing in the service and often would set aside his prepared sermon and let the Holy Spirit lead him in what he would say. His example of faith and obedience was worship. And I might add that those sermons spoke to more hearts and changed lives, he carried a lot of water into our deserts.
During times when I am alone at home, I try to find time to sit alone, sing, read the Bible and pray. Such moments give me an intimate relationship with God and a sense of immense joy and peace. These are the moments of true worship for me. However, I do get tempted by other distractions, but I try my best to get back to my private time with God.
the congregation singing in the sanctuary lifting up the name of Jesus! Rain on us Holy Spirit!
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