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40th Day of Lent

There was deep rest around the grave of Jesus. On the seventh day, when the work of creation was completed, God rested. “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day he rested after all his work of creating” (Genesis 2:3). On the seventh day of the week of our redemption, when Jesus had fulfilled all he was sent by his Father to do, he rested in the tomb, and the women whose hearts were broken with grief rested with him. Of all the days in history, Holy Saturday – the Saturday during which the body of Jesus lay in the tomb in silence and darkness behind the large stone that was rolled against its entrance ---is the day of God’s solitude. The Paschal Sabbath is the day on which the whole creation waits in deep rest. It is the day on which no words are spoken, no proclamations made. The Word of God through whom all had been made lies buried in the darkness of the earth. This Holy Saturday is the most quiet of all days. Its quiet connects the first covenant with the second, the people of Israel with the not-yet-knowing world, the Temple with the new worship in the Spirit, the sacrifices of blood with the sacrifice of bread and wine, the Law with the Gospel. This divine silence is the most fruitful silence the world has ever known. From this silence, the Word will be spoken again and make all things new.
Henri Nouwen from Walk with Jesus 1990 Orbis Books

Today is the last day of Lent. During this season we have been reflecting and examining what kind of inward transformation we need in our lives. As we wait expectantly on the verge of Easter celebrations, what kind of new life do you long for? What difference, what change do you want to be resurrected in your life?

Prayer:
Oh God, breathe your new life into me! As I have looked deep inside myself, I know that so much needs to change; but I look to you for help and the power to live differently. I wait for you. Come Lord Jesus!

Good Friday

Mark 15:22-39
22The soldiers took Jesus to Golgotha, which means "Place of a Skull." 23There they gave him some wine mixed with a drug to ease the pain, but he refused to drink it.
24They nailed Jesus to a cross and gambled to see who would get his clothes. 25It was about nine o'clock in the morning when they nailed him to the cross. 26On it was a sign that told why he was nailed there. It read, "This is the King of the Jews." 27-28The soldiers also nailed two criminals on crosses, one to the right of Jesus and the other to his left.
29People who passed by said terrible things about Jesus. They shook their heads and shouted, "Ha! So you're the one who claimed you could tear down the temple and build it again in three days. 30Save yourself and come down from the cross!"
31The chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses also made fun of Jesus. They said to each other, "He saved others, but he can't save himself. 32If he is the Messiah, the king of Israel, let him come down from the cross! Then we will see and believe." The two criminals also said cruel things to Jesus.
33About noon the sky turned dark and stayed that way until around three o'clock. 34Then about that time Jesus shouted, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you deserted me?"
35Some of the people standing there heard Jesus and said, "He is calling for Elijah." 36One of them ran and grabbed a sponge. After he had soaked it in wine, he put it on a stick and held it up to Jesus. He said, "Let's wait and see if Elijah will come and take him down!" 37Jesus shouted and then died.
38At once the curtain in the temple tore in two from top to bottom.
39A Roman army officer was standing in front of Jesus. When the officer saw how Jesus died, he said, "This man really was the Son of God!"

Good Friday is traditionally a day for focusing on sin and its impact on the world, as we consider Jesus’ passion and death. As followers of Jesus, we are called not just to look outside of ourselves and condemn the evil that is “out there,” but to begin by looking inside and acknowledging that we, too, have played a part in the horrible consequences of sin on God’s beautiful creation.
As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice - his willingness to become weak, his willingness to become helpless, his willingness to become as one of us -- we imitate him and share in his passion by accepting our own weakness and helplessness.
It’s in this weakness that we can enter more deeply into His work of love and redemption as we ask God to transform us—to purge us of our errors and to break the chains of our self-inflicted oppression, recognizing that resurrection and Life follow the cross.
Take some time today to sit and reflect on where you have been in error or where you have been weak. Ask God to show you something about yourself that is in need of changing. Let yourself feel the wrong of it without giving in to guilt or self-condemnation. Allow yourself to acknowledge fault and God’s unconditional for you, together. Feel that you are sinful AND dearly precious to God. Know that Jesus’ resurrection power is at work in you even now. Spend time in prayer, talking and listening to God.

38th Day of Lent

37th Day of Lent

Exposure


I wanted to share with you a painting that I finally completed a couple weeks ago. I've attached a photo of the painting, which probably needs a bit of explanation to go with it--but feel free to take whatever meaning it has for you personally as well, if you choose to view it differently.

I haven't decided what to call it, but for now I'm calling it "Exposure". The central figure is seen in four stages of turning towards the light, getting up, dropping his/her cloak to the ground and standing fully in the light that is revealing his/her true "design". For me, although most see the central, colorful figure as the main event, personally it is The Light, whom I understand to be God, who is the driving force of the painting. It is in turning to the light in authentic vulnerability (as symbolized in the dropping of the hooded jacket) that I have discovered who I truly am...an exquisite, unique creature designed like no other, and called to be true to my unique design. If I were to express how it feels to stand in The Light this way, I feel awestruck by the wonder of my own design and an overwhelming gratefulness to my Creator. I feel the warmth of Light as He reveals myself to me, and a smile from Him that feels like an endearing caress, like when a little girl twirls in her brand new dress for her Daddy. It is warm and wonderful and safe and alive in the light.

In the distant darkness you hopefully you can see the shrouded figures of others who so far have not realized they can turn and discover the warmth of the light and the uniqueness of their own intricate design. I don't know why The Light has not touched their lives yet and reassured them that it is ok, that it is safe, to get up and discover, so that they can start living as their truest selves.

As far as the skill it took as a painter to do this painting, I'm not that thrilled with it...but it is does express the image that I had in mind when I started out, so I am grateful for that. I hope to do more paintings that have this type of character and design in different situations, although there will never be any two of the characters with the exact same design---obviously!

I hope you find it interesting and at least a little provocative!

By Vickie Thurston

36th Day of Lent

Matthew 21:1-11 (New Living Translation)
As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. “Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”
This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said,

“Tell the people of Israel,
‘Look, your King is coming to you.
He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

The two disciples did as Jesus commanded. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it.

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting,

“Praise God for the Son of David!
Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Praise God in highest heaven!”

The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked.

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Palm Sunday Poem by Joseph Bayley

King Jesus
why did you choose
a lowly ass
to carry you
to ride in your parade?
Had you no friend
who owned a horse
--royal mount with spirit
fit for a king to ride?
Why choose an ass
small unassuming
beast of burden
trained to plow
not carry kings.
King Jesus
why did you choose
me
a lowly unimportant person
to bear you
in my world today?
I'm poor and unimportant
trained to work
not carry kings
---let alone the King of kings
and yet you've chosen me
to carry you in triumph
in this world's parade.
King Jesus
keep me small
so all may see
how great you are
keep me humble
so all may say
Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord
not what a great ass he rides.

Palm Sunday

Listen to the message here.

35th Day of Lent

Entering Jerusalem on a Colt

Mark 11: 1-7 The Message
When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethpage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, 'What are you doing?' say, 'The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'"

They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted.

Imagine the whirlwind that the disciples were feeling as they neared Jerusalem with Jesus. It seems likely that they must have experienced a mix of awe and wonder to downright nervousness, knowing all that was to come. And then, Jesus asks them to go fetch him a donkey.

The two disciples who were asked to go find the colt for Jesus were probably relieved to have something to do as the excitement surrounding Jesus mounted. They may, however, have wondered about the donkey, “He’s going to ride into the city on a donkey?” If they didn’t know it already, this certainly was a reminder that Jesus was royalty of another world order all together. In fact, Jesus had just settled a discussion about getting ahead in the kingdom of God:

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:20-28)

While the significance of that donkey may well have been missed by the disciples and the crowd amid the excitement on that day as they approached Jerusalem, it echoes truth from the depth of God’s heart to us today, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

34th Day of Lent

Reality Check

32They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33"We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise." Mark 10: 32-34 The Message

Rarely, if ever, does God reveal a game plan for our lives. Suffering and hardship usually catch us by surprise, or at least startle us. Before entering Jerusalem, where Jesus would face the ultimate in suffering, he stops to recount to his disciples what lay ahead. It’s as if he’s giving them a reality-check moment, spelling out the pain that is before him and his followers as they make their way to Jerusalem. He concludes with a reminder that he will rise again, offering hope beyond what anyone could imagine. His was a reality-check which tipped the scales from misery to extraordinary joy.

What would a reality check on your life look like right now? Where do you find hope and joy?

33rd Day of Lent

Stop and Listen

On his website, composer Gavin Bryars, shares the story behind the song “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet, ” in which he set the words sung by a homeless man to music. Bryars writes:

In 1971, when I lived in London, I was working with a friend, Alan Power, on a film about people living rough in the area around Elephant and Castle and Waterloo Station. In the course of being filmed, some people broke into drunken song - sometimes bits of opera, sometimes sentimental ballads - and one, who in fact did not drink, sang a religious song "Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet". This was not ultimately used in the film and I was given all the unused sections of tape, including this one.

When I played it at home, I found that his singing was in tune with my piano, and I improvised a simple accompaniment. I noticed, too, that the first section of the song - 13 bars in length - formed an effective loop which repeated in a slightly unpredictable way. I took the tape loop to Leicester, where I was working in the Fine Art Department, and copied the loop onto a continuous reel of tape, thinking about perhaps adding an orchestrated accompaniment to this. The door of the recording room opened on to one of the large painting studios and I left the tape copying, with the door open, while I went to have a cup of coffee. When I came back I found the normally lively room unnaturally subdued. People were moving about much more slowly than usual and a few were sitting alone, quietly weeping.

I was puzzled until I realized that the tape was still playing and that they had been overcome by the old man's singing. This convinced me of the emotional power of the music and of the possibilities offered by adding a simple, though gradually evolving, orchestral accompaniment that respected the tramp's nobility and simple faith. Although he died before he could hear what I had done with his singing, the piece remains as an eloquent, but understated testimony to his spirit and optimism.

What might the sound of the man’s voice singing alone have been like? Although it adds depth and emotion, perhaps it’s not the music alone which touched the listener’s who were drawn into Bryar’s recording room. Perhaps it’s also the words he sang, the simple truth of this haunting melody and testament to Jesus’ love.

Listen to the song. Close your eyes and let the melody and the words sink in.

32nd Day of Lent

The Little Boy and the Old Man



Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.”
Said the little old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often cry.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand,
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
by Shel Silverstein

For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me.
Matthew 18:2-5, (he Message)

Our Lord set a little child before his followers, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us examine our own spirits.
(excerpt from “Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible”, public domain)

Have you shared your journey with someone younger than you? Older than you? As you navigate this life, do you seek out others to walk alongside? To partner with you in the good and bad?

Smile at an old man today.

Squeeze the hand of a little boy today

31st Day of Lent

God and Elijah speak at Mount Horeb

1 Kings 19:1-14 (The Message)
Ahab reported to Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, including the massacre of the prophets. Jezebel immediately sent a messenger to Elijah with her threat: "The gods will get you for this and I'll get even with you! By this time tomorrow you'll be as dead as any one of those prophets."
When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: "Enough of this, GOD! Take my life—I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!" Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.
Suddenly an angel shook him awake and said, "Get up and eat!"
He looked around and, to his surprise, right by his head were a loaf of bread baked on some coals and a jug of water. He ate the meal and went back to sleep.
The angel of GOD came back, shook him awake again, and said, "Get up and eat some more—you've got a long journey ahead of you."
He got up, ate and drank his fill, and set out. Nourished by that meal, he walked forty days and nights, all the way to the mountain of God, to Horeb. When he got there, he crawled into a cave and went to sleep.
Then the word of GOD came to him: "So Elijah, what are you doing here?"
"I've been working my heart out for the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies," said Elijah. "The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by."
A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for GOD, the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."

Elijah is led to his 40 day desert experience full of fear, fleeing for safety, ready to give up his life. Through it all, he is fully submitted - following God's direction, nourishing himself on God's provision. Elijah's amazing encounter with God, is not in a moment of power and force, but in the stillness and quiet of a whisper. During this Lent experience, where are we encountering God?

Peering through a Mist



We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.
1 Corinthians 13, selected (The Message)

5th Sunday of Lent

Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord,
O heavens and all waters above the heavens.
Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew,
all winds and fire and heat.
Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold,
drops of dew and flakes of snow
Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days,
O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills,
and all that grows upon the earth,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,
and all you flocks and herds.
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, o children,
all brothers and sisters and even tiny babies, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Let the people of God glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
We ask your blessing as we walk into the future
as we care for the land you made, and the people you made,
Make us into good soil fertile soil,
producing abundant growth
rich in the fruits of the Spirit.
In the Name of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.

29th Day of Lent

A prayer written by St Francis of Assisi in the 13th Century:

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

28th Day of Lent

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:17

The word for “save” in the above passage also means “heal” or to “make whole”. It’s the same word used when Jesus healed the sick. As followers of Jesus, can we be people who bring healing to this world through Christ?

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. What we mean is that God was in Christ, offering peace and forgiveness to the people of this world. And he has given us the work of sharing his message about peace.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (Contemporary English Version)

How would you live differently today if you considered yourself an ambassador of peace and healing? How different would your perspective be on the various situations you are about to encounter?

Prayer:
Spirit of Christ, please fill me wit your love and light. May my life be a source of healing wherever I am in this world today. Amen

27th Day of Lent

"Giving Back"
(Painting by Rachel Hatton. The painting is made up of six sections. Total size: 6x9ft.)


Have you ever had that moment
where you are totally undone
by the awesomeness of God?

In that moment
you feel Him in everything,
every part of your being.

And yet you cannot contain Him
and He pours forth from you.

…Standing on the top of a grassy hill
you are all alone and surrounded by everyone all at the same time
because you are filled with the One who is connected
with everyone and everything.

The wind picks up
and in that moment of complete surrender
you find Him
and you give back everything that He has given you.
You give it all to Him.
In thanks,
in submission,
in love.

The wind swirls around you and you feel God.
Standing there at the top of the hill
raising your arms and
spinning with the wind,
you dance with God.
And give it all
to Him.

Single use only, in 2009 Cedar Ridge Community Church Lenten Blog.
Unlawful to copy or duplicate. All Rights Reserved
Contact:© Hatton Creations, LLC mail@hattoncreations.com

26th Day of Lent

Take a few moments to study this photograph of a rose. What is its posture in relation to the rest of the bush? How does this particular rose differ from most other roses that are on the verge of blooming?

During this season of Lent, followers of Jesus spend time contemplating Jesus’ life, his sufferings, and his death on the cross. We reflect upon the truth that the King of the Universe, the Almighty and Ever-living God came to earth and lived in a posture of gentleness, meekness, and humility; he gave up His life for the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind.

The words of the following hymn are attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux, who is thought to have written them in 1153. These lyrics have stood the test of time and can be found in most hymnals still today.

Perhaps you’ll want to take a few moments to read these beautiful lyrics as a prayer as you continue to ponder upon the mystery and awe of this sacred season.

O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns thine only crown:
How pale thou art with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn,
How does that visage languish,
Which once was bright as morn!

What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
Was all for sinners’ gain;
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour;
‘Tis I deserve They place;
Look on my with Thy favor,
Assist me with Thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever,
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love for Thee.

Amen.

25th Day of Lent

Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!"
Nicodemus asked, "How can a grown man ever be born a second time?"
Jesus answered:
I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit. Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God. Don't be surprised when I say that you must be born from above. Only God's Spirit gives new life. The Spirit is like the wind that blows wherever it wants to. You can hear the wind, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going.
John 3:3-8 (Contemporary English Version)

Have you ever wished you could start over? Is there any part of your life that, given the chance, you would love to live over again… but differently? We can’t change the past, but we can be reborn. Jesus is acknowledging the human condition: how do we deal with our brokenness? What can we do with all the fall-out from the wrong decisions and harmful actions of the past? What hope can we have that we won’t go on repeating the same mistakes as our fractured humanity repeats the cycle again and again? Be reborn! Be born from above, by God’s Spirit! God can give us new life; not by us just trying harder, but by God’s Spirit empowering us from within.

We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be, though we once judged Christ in that way. Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (Contemporary English Version)

Take a moment to consider something in your life where you would like a second chance. Look it square in the face. Don’t flinch. Ask God to forgive you and receive God’s Spirit, making you new. Three times today (some time this morning, this afternoon and this evening) pause for just 60 seconds and breathe deeply. Consciously breathe in God’s Spirit, God’s love, forgiveness and rebirth. Breathe out guilt, fear and shame.

24th Day of Lent

This week’s reading is from John’s gospel. John frequently uses the metaphor of light and darkness throughout his writing and refers to Jesus as the Light.

Read these verses from the beginning of the first chapter of John:
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it…
The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world…
... to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1: 5- 12 (New Living Translation)

Jesus had come as light into the world so that we can be children of God, people who are not lost but belong to God.

At 7:44AM (EST) last Friday, March 20th our planet’s axis lay parallel to the sun, tilted neither towards nor away from it. This was the spring equinox. Ever since that moment the northern hemisphere of the Earth has been slowly beginning to tilt towards the sun. This will bring light and warmth to our region for the next six months and we will see an astonishing transformation in the world around us as seeds sprout, trees blossom and flowers spring into bloom.

Today (and for the rest of this week) make a conscious effort to tilt your life to the light of God. Spend a few moments each morning before you walk out of your home, intentionally welcoming the light and love of God into you whole being. Spread your arms wide like the limbs of a tree or the petals of a flower and soak up the Light. You could even stand outside in the sunshine to do this. Imagine God’s great love for you, accept the love of the Father for his children, allow the Light of Christ to permeate you whole being.

Prayer:
Lord, I receive your Light. Illuminate all my darkness. Amen