Today, the first Friday in Lent, the people of God are focused on the spiritual practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Tradition teaches us to focus on these practices because these acts allow us to offer our full selves to God: our spirits, bodies and possessions. Plus, acts of penance help us to notice what gets in the way of our giving God the totality of our love. Perhaps pride, greed or anger block us from loving God wholeheartedly. Yet, faithful acts of devotion come from the heart. So, we start this Lent by looking into our hearts, by taking an inventory of our sins and sorrows. We say why we feel sorry. We share our hungers, struggles and weaknesses with God. We admit that we need God’s mercy and grace. Each gesture is an offering, a way to give God our contrite hearts. And, when God holds our hearts, God can reshape all we are and help us become more whole.
I can’t help myself but to share quotes from this book (such a good book) I mentioned below as my husband is driving us home ✝️ These points are quotes (are my thoughts) from the book *** I wonder how many American Christians make cultural optimism (privileges has become entitlements in our minds) an idol. Or directly connect this optimism to the belief that we are “blessed by God!” Perhaps this is partly why some react negatively to the effects of our exile status (we don’t think of ourselves as exiles). It seems we are unfamiliar with spiritual survival (reality) in a culture where a recession doesn’t end, social structures continue to work against a bright future. *** Lament is the song you sing when divine blessing seems far away. *** Lament shows us how to think and what to pray when our idols become clear.
UODATE: A very humble thank you to the LF Family for your prayers for Ed, my father-in-law and his wife Catherine. He was discharged out of the hospital yesterday. Blood oxygen is improving. He is not out of the woods, but seems to be trending in the right direction. Thank you for the prayers and God bless!
"The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely." St. Zelie Martin
I will pray for you Daniel that your heart issues resolve themselves. As always Pam advice resonates with me what a great person to have available to the living faith family. Salina I know what your going through my youngest son Chris had to find housing in Ohio. It worked out but unfortunately the residency did not.. Worry about children is always lurking. Great advice let go let God. First Friday stations under Mary's view is the highlight of my month Bill the stoplight and cars are gone. Ken Ke
Ha! Just got a new one that said 'undefined' ...and I still failed. Probably my over-protective mother, er, motherboard. Prayers to all in need on this 1st Friday of Lent.
I offer my prayers to all the LF Family for a successful Lenten journey. I feel great comfort in traveling this journey together! Extra prayer for Salina and Daniel.
AMEN!
Amen!
My prayer :Come Lord, work upon us, set us on fire and clasp us close, be fragrant to us, draw us to your loveliness, let us love, let us run to you." Amen
I humbly ask our living faith family to pray for my healt. May we discover the cause of my discomfort and suffering. I am truly grateful. Peace be with you all!
Adding my prayers to the list here, Daniel.
Daniel, praying that the Lord will help you. My husband is going through the same thing after getting a pacemaker, but by the grace of God, we have a wonderful doctor who is helping us. May the Lord be with us all. Blessings, Daniel.
Daniel...waiting on test results, scans and doctor's appointments is an ailment all unto itself. And, while we don't want them to find "something", we agonize over what "it" is really is that's causing our symptoms and discomfort. Daniel, you are a man of strong faith, and your faith will see you through this. I'm praying for you and your family that God's healing love and mercy will be with you all.
Prayers Daniel that the pain leaves you and your health is back to comfort.
Daniel, praying for the discomfort you are experiencing with your heart to go away in John 14:27 and Philippians 4:7 ✝️ I had several episodes of discomfort of my heart trying to jump out of my mouth…no diagnosis except irregular heart beat! It all pointed to the stress I placed on myself!!!
Sending prayers your way today, Daniel. Praying drs find the source of your pain. Thank you, Lord Jesus.
Praying for you this morning Daniel.
I am totally preoccupied and stressed out in trying to find an affordable housing (whether to buy or rent) for Jessi to live for the next 3 years of her residency in her new town for the last few weeks! BUT GOD…He showed me my “self-centered anxiety!” I was trying to finish the book Jessi shared with me to read and on pages 126-127 of Dark Clouds • Deep Mercy, Discovering The Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop, “I spent hours developing spreadsheets, reviewing costs, talking to contractors, and running financial models. At one level I wanted to make good decision. But even more, I fear making a big mistake. However, my research subtly shifted from good stewardship to self-centered anxiety. The numbers and options started to consume every spare moment of my thinking. Worried I was missing something, I kept checking and rechecking my numbers. I started losing sleeping. My prayer times were scattered. It took me the lament of a funeral to wake me up”… the death of a friend’s teenage son who had taken his life!!! *** I have to follow the author’s lead in, “As I sat in the back, I prayed, repented, and asked the Lord to forgive me - yet again - for my self-sufficiency!” *** I am so sorry Lord, ignoring You “the joy of the Lord” in the researching and searching :-( Please forgive me, Lord God, and don’t let me go astray but to lead me in Your everlasting provision, presence and power in the stewardship you have given me! Amen ✝️ *** I will continue to be diligent in the calculating and the spread sheet, and we will enjoy what You have prepared for Jessi in her new home in OH! But I will not be consumed by the overwhelming numbers on the spreadsheet but totally focus on You and Your providence throughout only by the power of the Holy Spirit! Amen ✝️ ******* Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Matthew 6:33 ❤️❤️❤️
Yes, Stormi! Loved, “Let go and let God”❤️✝️❤️
Indeed, Peggy, “Trust in the Lord!” Jessi and I have toured 8 condos to buy and visited 13 apartments to rent in the last two days! She has decided to rent because her working schedule will be 6 days 12 hour shifts of her residency and there is no time for home remodeling or maintenance. And we have calculated her monthly expenses on her apartment will be $3,000…not what she planned but what she wants to be comfortable, to be her place of relaxation and renewal when she is home ✝️ God provides, He is Jehovah Jireh! I have that tattooed on my left arm ✝️ We plan and He determines our steps in Proverbs 16:9 ✝️ Praise You, Lord Jesus Christ, You reign forever and ever Amen ❤️
Prayers Salina for the entire situation to work out. I will pay forward the words a friend of mine gave who just lost her husband. As we spoke about the stresses of life we were both going through she recalled the words of her mother "let go and let God." I think for now this is my new mantra :) Blessings to you and Jessi
Trust in the Lord, Salina. Just giving you what I experienced with moving from Wisconsin to Texas. I was happy that we rented for 6 months before we bought a home. Maybe you and Jessi could check it out together? Peace be with you.
Thank you, Daniel and Debbie ❤️ BTW, I was quoting the book that the author’s friend whose son died!
Salina, the Lord will provide and the housing issue for your daughter will be resolved. Prayers for your friend whose son died. So, so sad ✝️????
Peace be with you my friend.
Amen. :)
Amen.
Amen.☮️
Amen...'God can reshape all we are and help us become whole'....I wholeheartedly pray for this Sr. Julia
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Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.