Day 9 + 40 Days of Mercy + + +

There was once a prophet Micah, (as told about in the Hebrew scriptures), who had much to say to the political, religious, and business leaders in positions of power. He chastised them for their greed, corruption, dishonesty, oppression of the poor, and neglect for God’s ways.

Here’s just one bit of what he said:

“Alas for those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds!
When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power.
They covet fields, and seize them; houses, and take them away;
they oppress householder and house, people and their inheritance. . .”
(Micah 2:1-2)

Then Micah challenges the leaders to return to God’s way
with these words that we often quote:

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?”
(Micah 6:8)

“Justice” is about fairness and equality for all.
This “mercy” is about acting with loving kindness.
“Walking humbly” is in contrast to those who act
in arrogance without acknowledging God’s help.

Dear people ~
In this season of Lent + these 40 Days of Mercy,
may we seek to do what the Lord requires of us . . .
To balance our desire for justice with acts of mercy . . .

Let us pray for those in positions of power
that they may have compassion for the oppressed
and choose:

Grace over greed
Faith over fear
Love over hate

and walk humbly with our God of Grace.

Anna Lin +

Image is from Repairers of the Breach on Facebook

Healer Of Our Every Ill

Healer of our every ill,
light of each tomorrow,
give us peace beyond our fear,
and hope beyond our sorrow.

You who know our fears and sadness,
grace us with your peace and gladness;
Spirit of all comfort, fill our hearts.

You who know each thought and feeling,
teach us all your way of healing;
Spirit of compassion, fill each heart.

~ Marty Haugen

By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1: 78-79

Photos on Pinterest

 

Rise To Radiance

In moments
we awaken
to the truth
we’re born to be

Ever guiding us
to North Stars
of our glorious
destiny.

We remain in
deep dark slumber
when we
resist the Light

Fear And The Ebola Virus

Fear of the Ebola virus is sweeping across North America.
People are dealing with the threats of the illness in different ways.
I want to share some research I have learned recently in the hope that it can bring greater understanding to this situation.

Fear is a natural body response when we feel our life may be in danger.
It can be our best friend to warn us to protect ourselves for survival.
Many people I know (let’s call them People A ) will be aware of the threat of Ebola and will dismiss any twinge of fear because their rational mind tells them there is actually no real threat to their lives at this moment.

But others I know (let’s call them People B) will hang on to the fear – cycling thoughts and feelings of all possible dangers over and over and over in their minds and bodies.

People A will tell them: “Stop this fear. You just need to trust in God – in your Higher Power. You have nothing to be afraid of.”

And People B will wonder: “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I be like them, (People A) and have enough trust and faith that all will be well? I must be a terrible person to keep having this fear.”

Let All That Is Within Me Cry “Holy”

 

This morning I spent time in silence to see where my focus lies. My wandering mind tells me that I focus my energy on how to “fix” things — how to get to perfection. I was given the breath word HOLY for this day. It helps me to re-focus on all that is God, rather than on myself and my needs. This is a great help to prayer.

But I recognize this is also a great challenge to prayer. For within this awareness of the Holy, is the element of Holy Fear. Fear of this nature is fear of the unknown — fear of the mystery of God that is unknowable, that cannot be controlled or contained. I sense within me a fear of surrendering my power, my control. I sense a fear of unworthiness in the presence of the Holy One. Then I recall Luther’s explanation of the first commandment: to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. Part of me wants to move beyond this Holy Fear. Perhaps I always need to keep this awesome reverence, however:

Quiet Moments

Our Deepest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves. “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not be be?  You are a child of God.