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by Ryan T.  biblical lament soothes the suffering and disrupts the comfortable Bad news swirls around us blowing our hopes and dreams like leaves in the fall wind. A long awaited for baby born to parents who have already seen their share of hardship only to be taken away days later, Eleven Jewish worshipers gunned down during Shabbat services, neighbors who have the calling to protect one another and work for the common good together instead choose to ignore, violate and even attack one another. These are just a few examples of the violence and loss from this past week for me. I deeply struggle to sit with the pain, betrayal, loss, and fear that wash over me. I have learned to stuff and avoid these uncomfortable emotions. Dan Allender articulates it this way, Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality. Listening to our emotions ushers us into reality. And reality is where we meet God…Emotions are the language of the soul. They are the cry that gives the heart a voice…However, we often turn a deaf ear—through emotional denial, distortion, or disengagement. We not only have our own suffering but can easily be overwhelmed by the numbers of people who are forgotten by our society—the last, the least, and the lost among us—and wonder who is there to help and to save them from drowning. It is hard to keep our eyes open to suffering. It drains the soul and numbs the heart. It is in these times that lament can become a precious companion. We can take great comfort in the loud cries and mourning that have echoed throughout time and history as captured in the poems, songs, and statements of lament. Indeed, a great portion of the Hebrew Scriptures comes in the form of lament, both individual and communal lament In the psalms of lament, the anguished cries of the prophets, and in the life and ministry of Jesus, there are pioneers who have gone before all who grieve and suffer. They have experienced the terror of all the twists and turns, the drops and descents of human life. They gave voice to their lament. A biblical lament cries out to God. This is not an internally focused process of grieving, it is first and foremost a prayer, a conversation. A lament deals with a specific situation that is painful, or unjust and expresses our raw emotional responses: sorrow, anger, disappointment, etc. Below is a lament written by Ann Weems that is helping me learn to lament. O Holy One, I can no longer see.
Blinded by tears that will not cease, I can only cry out to you and listen for your footsteps Are you, too, O God, blinded by tears? Have you watched this world pile its hate onto the faces of your little ones until your eyes are so filled with tears the you cannot see me waiting for you? Are you, O God, deafened by the expletives of destruction and death? Have you heard so many obscenities that you cannot hear my moaning? O God, if you are blind, can't you hold out your hand to me? If you're deaf, can't you call my name? How long, O God, am I to sit on the plain of blindness? How long am I to listen to the profanity of my enemies who mock: "Where is your God now?" Show them, O my God, that you remember. Reach out your hand and dry my eyes that I might see a new beginning Open your mouth and call me by name that I might know you remember me. Claim me that I might announce in the marketplace that my God is here. O my heart, give thanks! My God is here even in the midst of destruction -Lament written by Ann Weems
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By Amber Hunter Jesse Here's a song I wrote called "On the Mount." What can I say? I feel genuinely thankful to get to share this today. It's a small thing with a lot of love poured into it... It's rooted in a bigger story. I wrote this song roughly twelve years ago, by a little pond in Alaska. I paraphrased the Beatitudes, the blessing taught by Jesus, and put them to music. A couple years later, my friend Danny led a study on the Sermon on the Mount. Several friends started meeting every week for 5 months. We went phrase by phrase, trying to grasp this otherworldly, and heart-enthralling Love that is expressed in the Kingdom of God. Since then, this little network of friends has expanded and continues to seek out the treasures of Jesus. Thank you Matt for creating this music video. Thanks so much to all the friends who are in it! Thank you Richard for your mixing/mastering skills. Thanks Justan for the beat. Thank you, Ryan, for encouraging me to reach out for help. And thank you Apprenticeship to Jesus (A2J) for covering the recording costs. This makes me wonder what other kinds of creative collaborations are possible, for the sake of Love. Even more than sharing songs, I really desire to find creative ways to live out the Sermon on the Mount! If you're encouraged by this, would you consider sharing it with a friend? Peace to you! Amber Hunter Jesse  Download song here
 By Daniel Malakowsky “From dust you came and to dust you shall return.” Five years ago I was preparing to join my mother and aunt in picking up the ashes of my father who had recently passed away. It had been several weeks since his memorial and death and there had been space to grieve. Still, we knew that in receiving his remains that a finality would set in in regards to the grief we had come to know so unexpectedly. As I was leaving a morning class to proceed to join my family, I received a phone call from my wife. Nearly three years earlier she had been experiencing some fatigue and unstable blood sugars and we took her in to check for the potential of diabetes or some other related cause. Instead of discovering some underlying health issue, we were surprised to find out that she was pregnant. This phone call would be reminiscent of that time, with her asking me to pick up a home pregnancy test as many of the same symptoms were present. So on the day that I was to take home my father’s ashes, I also found myself in the nearest supermarket buying a pregnancy test. I had 15 minutes to spare in bringing it home to my wife before I had to leave, but in those 15 minutes we discovered that we would soon be welcoming our third child into the world. Unlike the few weeks after my father’s death, there was no time to process or space to reflect on this gift, the time had come to join my family. About an hour later we were leaving the facility where we had gathered my father’s ashes. I offered to be the one to carry them out and on the drive home. It is rather difficult to put into words the overwhelming and confusing emotions that were conflicting within me. There I was sitting in the back of a car holding my father’s ashes and all that remained of his 58 years, the vapor and mist of his life, and yet cherishing in my heart the joy of knowing a new life was forming within the womb of my wife.  For a number of years I have had the privilege of imposing ashes on the foreheads of many followers of Jesus on Ash Wednesday, reminding them that they are from dust and to dust they shall return. On that fateful day I, perhaps more than any other, felt the tension that sits between those two short clauses. Holding in my lap the fragility of life and in my heart the miracle of its existence. We are mortal beings and the finality of our existence is beyond our control. Despite our cultural impulses towards immortality (soaring medical expenses, plastic surgery, anti-aging products, etc.), those words hold in them a truth and reality that no human being has been able to, nor will they be able to, exploit or overcome. The words from “dust you came” remind us of both the humility and majesty of our beginning. We are not the source and foundation of life, but its recipient. That God would breathe into the dust of the ground and bring forth his likeness, those who in his image create and recreate, extending his presence throughout his created realm, reveals the dignity of our being. Still our life is dependent upon something outside of ourselves, the someone who brought us forth in love. We are frail and mortal, and our fragile frames will once more return to the dust, relinquishing the breath that was first put within us. With that we are also eternal beings, though we are still temporally bound. Our days are numbered and we walk in perishable tents, tightly gripping the vapor and mist that ultimately is slipping through our fingers. Embracing this truth holds within it a hidden gift though, one that allows us to hold that vapor and mist lightly, letting go of fleeting promises and vain pursuits. It is so easy to see only the present, the tangible elements of our life, and as we do they begin to spread and take anchor in our hearts. We become trapped by the temporal, locked and imprisoned by the idols of our day and unable to see beyond them, only chasing after vanity of vanities. The gift then is one of letting go. Letting go of our control...letting go of our temporal treasures so we can receive eternal ones...letting go of our life so that we can truly find it. As we let go we discover the treasure and truth of Jesus. The One who said that if man wishes to find his life, he must first lose it, invites us into the riches of himself. It is then that our hearts can truly desire his will be done on earth as it is heaven, because we are living for heaven, receiving the incarnate love that is available to us here on earth. Five years ago I was forced to sit in the midst of that tension. To sit with the invitation that is embodied within it. To sit with my mortality and yet the steadfast faithfulness of the One who conquered death and declares a love so bold that anyone who believes him is guaranteed not to perish, but to embrace an eternal and everlasting life. So repent, turn from your sin, and believe in the Gospel. photo 1 Taken in Sedona, AZ photo 2 Taken in Mt. Lemmon, AZ  Opening Prayer“O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want You; I long to be filled with longings; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name. Amen” -A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleBehold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. -Psalms 133 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinI will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.’ -Luke 15:18 (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of Jesus“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. -John 17: 20-24 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersWhen two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. -Matthew 18:19 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerO God the Father of all, you ask every one of us to spread love and reconciliation where people are divided. You open this way for us, so that the wounded body of Jesus Christ, your church, may be leaven of communion for the poor of the earth and in the whole human family -Prayer by Brother Roger (1915-2005) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Wittenberg, Germany
photo 2 Taken in Phoenix, Arizona 'John 17 Gathering'  Opening PrayerO Lord, reassure me with Your quickening Spirt; without You I can do nothing. Mortify in me all worldliness, pride, selfishness, and resistance to God, and fill me with love, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit…You are the same yesterday, today, and forever; and therefore, waiting on Thee, Lord, I trust that you shall renew my strength. Amen -William Wilberforce (1759-1833) (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleIn you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me. -Psalm 31:1-3 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinHave mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. You are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who cry out to you. (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusWhen Jesus had spoken these words, “he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. and this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me our of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you -John 17: 1-7 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth -Psalm 54:2 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerLord Jesus, bind me to You and to my neighbor with love. May my heart not me turned away from You. May my soul not be deceived nor my talent or mind enticed by allurement of error, so that I may never distance myself from Your love. Thus may I love my neighbor as myself, with strength, wisdom, and gentleness, with Your help, You who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen -Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Gozo, Malta
photo 2 Taken in Phoenix, Arizona 'Woodland Community'  By Daniel Malakowsky
For the past few months we have been focused on growing in our daily rhythm of being with God through the Psalms. As we have pursued him in this way, we have been met richly in learning to bring the totality of our human experience before him, knowing that he invites us to share with him our joys and blessings, as well as our sorrows and frustrations. Our heart is not to leave this pursuit, but to allow those foundations that have been laid in forming and shaping us to continue to draw us collectively into God’s presence with one another. With that we will be transitioning in our focus from the Psalms to the Gospels. Where as the Psalms teach us how to be with God, the Gospels reveal to us in Christ the fullness not only of God’s redemptive plans, but the nature of his character and being. Paul reminds us that we are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” by beholding the glory of the Lord. In Christ “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Over these next few months we hope to organize our days and life around the life and person of Jesus, breaking up the Gospels into a monthly reading plan that we can journey on together. Jesus...the one who fills up the law and the prophets...the one who is the foundation and cornerstone that every apostle built upon...the one who unites all things in himself as the fullness of God’s redemptive plan...the one who is preeminent and in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell...invites us to be with him, our Immanuel. We encourage you to join us in this pursuit. We will be gathering to reflect on and share together in how the Lord is meeting us through this study on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday of every month. As we pursue this journey we attend to the ‘well traversed way’ the Psalmist spoke of in Psalm 23, a road leading us into the deeply dug and worn ruts of righteousness. Click Here for the Monthly Reading Plan “You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.” ~ Augustine  Opening PrayerO Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of your Eternal Father, You said with your most pure lips: Without me you can do nothing. O Lord, my Lord, with faith I embrace in my heart and soul the words you have spoken. Help me a sinner, to accomplish the task that I begin for your sake in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen -Eastern Orthodox prayer before beginning any action (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleYou O God save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. For it is you who light my lamp; the Lord my God lightens my darkness. For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. -Psalm 18:27-30 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinJesus forgive me my sin and set me free from all evil passions, heal my heart of all disordered affections; that, I may be made fit to love, courageous to suffer, and steady to persevere. (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusI am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. -John 15:1-5 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersIn all my prayers for others, I always pray with Joy. -Philippians 1:4 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerPraise God from Whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. ~The Common Doxology (1674) Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Meteora, Greece 'Greek Orthodox Monastery
photo 2 Taken in Meteora, Greece 'Valley of Monasteries'  Opening PrayerJesus, sometimes we feel the fire in us is going out, help us to remember we were not the one who lit that fire. -Brother Roger (1915-2005) (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleO God, you are my God; with all that I am I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because Your constant overflowing love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied in you and my mouth will sing words of adoration with joyful lips, -Psalm 63 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinLord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy on me a sinner -The Jesus Prayer (5th Century) (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusJesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” -John 14:6-14 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBe joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. -Romans 12:12 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerThe Divine Embrace—Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in Your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and Love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen! -The Book of Common Prayer, 101 Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Karpas, Cyprus
photo 2 Taken in Glees, Germany  Opening PrayerDear Lord, today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to life; by your love I am sustained; and to your love I am always called back. There are days of sadness and days of joy; there are feelings of guilt and feelings of gratitude; there are moments of failure and moments of success; but all of them are embraced by your unwavering love. O Lord, sea of love and goodness, let me not fear too much the storms and winds of my daily life, and let me know that there is ebb and flow but that the sea remains the sea. Amen -A Prayer by Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleGive thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. -Psalm 105:1-5 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinIt is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance. The Lord says to us, ‘Turn to me with all your heart, for I am tender and compassionate’ (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Words of JesusGod’s care for humanity is so great that he sent his unique Son among us, So that those who count on him might not lead a futile and failing existence, But have the undying life of God Himself. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. -John 3:16 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersBlessed be God who hears me when I pray. -Psalm 28:6 (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerSo this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11 The Message Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Gozo, Malta
photo 2 Taken in Dakar, Senegal  Opening PrayerO Gracious and holy Father, give us wisdom to perceive You, intelligence to understand You, diligence to seek You, patience to wait for You, eyes to see You, a heart to meditate upon You, and a life to proclaim You; through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord -Benedict of Nursia (480-547) (Be still before God) Prayer of the BibleHear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped. I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings -Psalms 17:1-8 (Free expression of praise and thanksgiving to God) Confession of SinMost merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen! -Book of Common Prayer (Time of silence for confession of sin) The Example of JesusAfter Jesus had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone -Matthew 14:23 (Think deeply on these life-giving words of Jesus) Prayer for Ourselves and OthersHallelujah! Thank GOD! Pray to him by name! -Psalm 105:1 The Message (Time to bring before God our own needs and the needs of others) Closing PrayerOh Lord Jesus, we see from you how you delighted to be alone with your Father, may we also discover the joy of being with our Father. As we are healed and restored in His presence may we always follow your example Jesus, who strengthened by time with the Father went down where the needy people suffer, bent low by oppression and the burden of sin and lifted them to new life. Go, sent by the Father into the world to love & serve in the name of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit  photo 1 Taken in Cluny, France
photo 2 Taken in Gozo, Malta |
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