What are some of the words of scripture or hymnody that relate to your wilderness place?  Specifically, as you revisit that place, as if you are really there, are there bible stories, or characters or situations that seem similar to YOUR story?  Or, is there a hymn (total or a portion of it) that you find yourself singing or reciting as you revisit that place? 

Support from Scripture

1 Kings 9:11-13  The Lord was not in the wind or the earthquake, but in silence

Isaiah 40: 1, 6-11   God will gather the lambs

Isaiah 41: 9b-10    Do not be afraid, I am with you

Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters

Psalm 4  Answer me when I call

Psalm 121   I look to the hills

Psalm 130  Out of the depths I cry to you

John 15: 7-11   Abide in my love

Romans 8:31-35, 37-39  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. 

Stories of Jesus’ Temptation

Matthew 4:1-11

Mark 1:9-13

Support from Song (read or sing) from Evangelical Lutheran Worship

Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer    ELW #618

Jesus, Still Lead On                         ELW #624

We’ve Come This Far By Faith      ELW #633

O God, Our Help in Ages Past        ELW #632

Just a Closer Walk with Thee          ELW #697

Take time to read the words of scripture or song.  Think and pray about why the words are particularly powerful for you.  Record your thoughts to be a reminder to yourself that the words are there for you, at your finger tips, the next time you are in the wilderness. 

Note:   These are only suggestions.  You will have others that speak more clearly to you.  Seek them, write them down, and internalize them.  We all will be taken to wilderness places repeatedly – the longer you live, the more wilderness places you will travel.    It is good, and very wise, to have words of power and comfort in your “travel bag.”

Be Still

So you have developed your scene for the week -- the wilderness that you have experienced at some point in time.  In a wilderness place the only artificial objects are the ones you carry with you (some call it baggage).  What happens if you release what you carry for shelter, self-protection, or control?  What if you stand in the midst of the scene with nothing made by or imposed by humans.  It is just you, the wild beasts, and God.  Try to remember that one of the greatest ploys of the devil is to tell you that the place you are is a place where God isn't.

That is a lie.

Sit with it.  Be still there.  What stirs?

Part of the beauty and terror of Lent is that when we consent to a time that is emptied of our own attempts at comfort or control, our senses are heightened.  We may see and hear things around us or within us that are hidden in the busy-ness that we carry most days.

Look around.  Listen.

What can you say about what you notice?

The Place

Look at your life.  Choose a place (location) where you have been that you see as a wilderness.  It might have been a work place, a geographical location, a community, a school system, a dormitory or fraternity house (you get the idea?)

Write down as much as you possibly can to describe the place:  sights, sounds, colors, temperature, objects including their position and texture.  Focus upon the physical details of your wilderness place. (We will get into people, relationships, feelings later). 

For now, it is as if you are setting a stage or painting scenery.  (Don’t worry about eloquence if it makes you stall.  You can draw a word sketch or a literal sketch, or if you prefer, find a picture of the place and put it in your journal  for you to contemplate).

Trusting that you made it to church today!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Record your reflections about today’s worship. Ask yourself:  So what did that mean?

 (What is staying with you?  Something from the scripture lessons?  Or the prayers? Or the music?  Or the sermon?  Or the Eucharist? ) 

Wild beasts and angels

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.   Mark 1:12-13

Jesus may have been in isolation from other people, but he wasn’t alone.  There were wild animals there. 

Now it appears that they weren’t necessarily poised to attack him.  They were with him, around him, watching this two legged creature who ate nothing and simply existed in their space.  Here’s the thing about wild beasts of all sizes, assuming that they don’t see you as prey.  If you don’t approach them aggressively, and if you sit down where you are, they may allow you to observe them.  You may learn something from them. 

In addition, there was benevolent presence (angels) that met him in his wilderness time with the support that was most critical to his survival.  Perhaps it was the angels who centered his mind upon the words with which he would meet Satan’s taunting jabs.  Perhaps they soothed and shielded his heart and body so that he could actually remain intact regardless of atmospheric adversity. 

Reflect and write: 

Are there wild beasts around you or within you?  Perhaps they have been imposed upon you or they may even be of your own making.   In this moment you are safe, so what happens if you sit down with the wildness and simply observe it? 

Who has functioned as a benevolent presence for you?  Sometimes we are so caught up in anxiety that we fail to see the support or the life line that is available to us. 

A heightened awareness of your wild beasts will equip you in limitless ways as you walk through Lent.  Likewise, be assured that because you are walking closely with Jesus, there will be angels waiting upon you as well! 

Another proactive measure

And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness for forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.   Mark 1:12-13


Jesus was on the threshold of glorious ministry.  He was equipped with the gifts that would empower him to accomplish miraculous deeds, and to speak in ways that transformed the hearts and minds of others. Satan was aware of Jesus' potential, and the enticements of Satan were custom fit to tap into some of Jesus' greatest strengths.  The seductive invitations were also presented when Jesus was lonely and hungry, worn down.  


One of my wisest mentors has told me:  Whenever you are on the threshold of doing something magnificent that will glorify God and serve others in amazing ways, you will be under attack.  You may be assaulted from within with doubt or fear.  You may be distracted by your own ego (ie, pride, arrogance) or emotions (fear, doubt,/grandiose ambition).  You may be tempted by external invitations to rely on something (or someone) other than God for power, esteem, or satisfaction.  


Be aware of your areas of strength and giftedness  as well as your points of weakness, hunger or vulnerability.   They are all avenues for temptation's whispers.  


You can try to resist temptation, but there is a better way.  Jesus didn't engage in point-counterpoint debate with Satan.  He returned to God by clinging to God's Word in Scripture.  As you walk these days, don't pretend that temptation doesn't exist.  See it for what it is, and the moment you see it, pray.  Pray in any way at all.  You may be amazed at the strength and support unleashed by simple words like:  "Lord, Have Mercy." or "God, Help Me."    


Reflect and Write: 
You have begun your Lenten Walk.  Only God knows the depth and breadth of what glorious things you may do or say in His Name. 


Take a look around you.  Take a look within you.  Be honest about the vulnerable points you see (there are probably more than you might think!)  Do you see (or even just sense) thoughts, feelings, or inclinations that might be temptation's voice?  


Your awareness of these places will equip you by increasing your dependence upon Christ.  This dependence will help shield you from surprise attacks along the way.  

First Steps

On this first Thursday in Lent, imagine yourself standing at a trailhead.  

If you have never been a wilderness hiker it might be more possible for you to imagine standing at a threshold.  (Whatever works!) 

Just last night you were reminded of your humanity -- that you are flesh and blood -- and that it is dust.  Although this flesh and bloodness is fleeting, it is what characterizes much of what you do.  So take a look at it as you stand at this first leg of your Lenten Journey.  Today -- right now -- what comprises YOU.  Take the short inventory (many of you are familiar with this).  


How are you physically right now as you begin Lent?  What are some of the physical hungers, or pains, or prides? 


How are you emotionally right now?  What is trembling for expression?  What are some of the dominant feelings these days?   


How is your mind functioning?  Take a look at the patterns of thoughts -- are they linear or swirling?  Muddied or clear?  Even paced or racing?  


This inventory reminds you of the YOU that is entering Lent.  Just notice it -- no judgement necessary.  In the midst of all of this, the seat of who you are as a child of God (the spiritual soulful aspect of your existence) has accepted God's invitation to walk this path of Lent.  God is meeting you here, just as you are, not as you wish to be or think you should be.  


Welcome!  


Tomorrow:  Further reflective preparations for reading your story (Your work with your own Once Upon a Time begins Monday!) 

The Story Begins

Ash Wednesday


'And when you pray, do not imitate the hypocrites: they love to say their prayers standing up in the synagogues and at the street corners for people to see them. In truth I tell you, they have had their reward. But when you pray, go to your private room, shut yourself in, and so pray to your Father who is in that secret place, and your Father who sees all that is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 5:5-6

Today is Ash Wednesday. Lent begins. The church and the community of the faithful claim these next 40 days to highlight a process of transformation. Many of us will enter Lent by opening the invitation uttered in the words "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return." We remember that we are mortal...imperfect in our humanity. All that is human and grounded in this world will pass away.
We yearn for the mysterious love of the one who knows us intimately and who guides us on the path of truth and light. We remember (we cling to) the promise: In Christ and through the life given to us so freely at our Baptism we can walk in eternity.

Now as we walk through Lent, we consent to let God lead open our understanding about our true selves as God sees us.   Sometimes we fear an awareness of our "secret" sins. Ah...secret? That is where we fool ourselves. To meet God where God is blessing us, we must move toward that place we erroneously name "secret"... We are reminded that the deepest places of our thoughts and actions are known by God...with crystal clarity. God alone knows what we need to move out of the darkness of secrecy and His hand reaches out to guide us on the path to new life. 

This is a day to begin at the center of who you are, child of God, baptized and claimed by the Creator of the universe. Rooted in that identity, precious in God's sight, begin the walk through Lent. Day by day, step by step, moment by moment, you are invited to accept the transforming action of God in all of the "secret" places of your heart.

There are no short cuts...no fast forwarding. We must allow our pride and our self-image to bow to that. Wait and walk these 40 days...the Father who knows and loves you completely is inviting you!

Remember and write: 
When and where were you born?  What stories have been told about your physical birth?  What stories have been told about the day of your baptism? 

A Blessing to uphold you during Lent

Rend Your Heart
A Blessing for Ash Wednesday

To receive this blessing,
all you have to do
is let your heart break.
Let it crack open.
Let it fall apart
so that you can see
its secret chambers,
the hidden spaces
where you have hesitated
to go.

Your entire life
is here, inscribed whole
upon your heart’s walls:
every path taken
or left behind,
every face you turned toward
or turned away,
every word spoken in love
or in rage,
every line of your life
you would prefer to leave
in shadow,
every story that shimmers
with treasures known
and those you have yet
to find.

It could take you days
to wander these rooms.
Forty, at least.

And so let this be
a season for wandering
for trusting the breaking
for tracing the tear
that will return you

to the One who waits
who watches
who works within
the rending
to make your heart
whole.

Source:  Jan Richardson on the Painted Prayer Book 

How do you feel about adventure?  For some of us, it is such a powerful desire that we will pay good money for "virtual adventure" (and that menu of possibilities is vast).  For others, the equally compelling desire draws us regularly to unknown, spontaneous treks.  We go wherever the wind or the weather blow us.  For still others, standing on the brink of the unknown generates nothing but backward movement -- better to stay with the tried and true... the familiar.  

In just over a week we will be entering our Lenten Adventure.  I want to invite you to cross into the unknown territory of a 2012 Lenten Spiritual Community.   Will you join me?  It is sure to be a place of unforeseen places of the heart, mind and soul.

I have been reading a book about the unspoken but increasing desires of the Body of Christ for spiritual community -- but when what we focus upon, lament or celebrate is our "surface" existence rather than what is really going on, we miss a huge opportunity to see and witness to what God is doing in our midst and in our life together.  Therefore, I am looking for ways to plumb the depths of history -- YOUR history -- so that you can reap the benefit of all that God has given you over the years.  Much of that will feel like adventure -- because God is so dynamic, so mysterious, and so interested in increasing your wisdom and understanding about YOU, and about God, and about how you are constantly being formed in new and unimaginable ways.   

Every person is given multiple opportunities to enter adventurous places of the heart, mind and soul.  Most people don't go "there" readily.  Many folks don't go there until years or decades after events and relationships are "really" a part of the past.  

I am convinced more than ever that life's adventures are meant to strengthen us to glorify God and serve others in new ways.  It is just that those "adventures" can be so daunting if a person tries to minimize them or go them "alone"... or even worse, pretend they aren't happening.  Whenever a person enters his/her own uncharted territory (we all have them) suddenly new perceptions of both dark and light appear.

Christ is there with us, when we are suffering as well as when we are bursting into new hope.   It is always, always about being drawn into God's amazing and loving heart -- constantly being reshaped, reformed -- made new.

I pray that you will join me!  Stay tuned....