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MEDITATION:

Written by Ruth Grendell.

I am fortunate that I had a faculty position at a Christian University for several years. We were encouraged to begin or end each class with a devotional message. A favorite poem that was given to me as a student nurse is one that I have read to my students and Navy Corpsmen every Lenten season. Although it was written for nurses, I trust that the readers can consider that it is meant for them as they care for others throughout their lives.

One Friday on Calvary, as in a hospital ward, three men lay dying—among them Our Lord.

It was the worst case of neglect ever recorded; these patients whose pain Pilate had ordered

On three hard beds in the shape of a Cross without pillow or blanket, none would endorse.

Now the One in the Center, Jesus of Nazareth, the chart gave His name & diagnosis: 

Excessive love for the whole of mankind; unsterilized nails pierced His feet and His wrists.

Consider the cruel medication—vinegar and gall were His Lips ‘levitation.

His back men wounded by blows and welts; no soothing ointment relieved the hurts.

No cold compress was applied to His eyes. The world’s greatest lover just hangs there and dies.

Not a grain of morphine, not a tourniquet set, as God’s Son slowly bleeds to death.

The chart then concluded: “The sad Man from Nazareth died about three.” 

Now don‘t blame the Jews for this frightful neglect.  Our sins did it all; our sins do it yet!

This treatment of Christ demands reparation:  It falls to all of you of this generation.

Whenever you see anyone in pain– Just make believe it is Calvary again.

And do for the person what you wish they had done–for the Man in the center:

                                                 The Innocent one.

Remember in caring for others you really cared/nursed HIM!

PRAYER:

From the Mozarabic Rite, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal  in the 500s AD.

Jesus, our Lord and our God,
you gave your cheek to those who struck you
and for our sake you endured much mockery.
Grant that following the example of your sufferings,
we may be courageous in bearing our own,
and learn from you,
for you are meek and lowly in heart;
you now reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

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MUSIC MEDITATION:

I Need Thee Every Hour: Fernando Ortega.  Written by Annie Sherwood Hawks in 1872. The hymn reflects a feeling of nearness to God she experienced.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Macrina Wiederkehr, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “A Tree Full of Angels.”

Conversion is what happens between birth and death. By putting emphasis on conversion as a process, I do not mean to disclaim the many accounts of people being suddenly and mysteriously touched by God and changed tremendously. There are too many stories of radical change in people’s lives to take them lightly. However, even people who have had a dramatic encounter with the Divine, still must go through that daily purifying process of continued conversion. A deep and lasting conversion is a process, an unfolding, a slow turning and turning again. We are saved every day. We are saved from our self-righteousness, our narrow minds, our own wills, our obstinate clinging. We are saved from our blindness. Salvation stands before us at every moment. It meets us face to face. It asks us to make a choice. Do we have the courage to accept it? It is costly, yet it brings life. The cross is always costly. It costs us our lives. The dust of our Lenten ashes turns before our very eyes into Easter glory. Our frailty fades into splendor. Our life given becomes life received and renewed.

Transformation! This is a wondrous, glorious truth. It is the Paschal Mystery. Life meets death. Death meets resurrection. This is our hope. We are frail and glorious creatures. Our frailty need not cripple us; our glory need not be denied. Embraced and cherished as part of the process that we are, these qualities become God’s greatest advantage in our lives.

PRAYER:

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary author, writer, and pastor.

Father, forgive us for being witnesses of your majesty and yet living as though you do not exist. Forgive us, Lord, when we put more hope in the things of this earth than in the incredible promises of your heaven. Have mercy on our hardened hearts. Transform us into your likeness. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

The Change in Me: Casting Crowns. Written by Mark Hall and Jason Ingram in 2018.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Nanci Hoffman.

In a way to me, it seems like the end of the world, the end of the world as I knew it. The news tells us every minute there are 10 more cases of Covid-19 in Los Angeles. Tami, my middle daughter Lives there and flies as a flight attendant out of LAX. Despite the efforts the airlines are taking to keep their planes sanitized, she knows some flight attendants are being infected with this disease. I am 82 and realize that my days are numbered; however, I am sure there are many like me who didn’t think our last days would be spent living with masks over our faces, unable to sing in the choir at worship services at church, unable to enjoy meals with our families and at our favorite restaurants. I wish I could visit with my son and his family, whom I haven’t seen for over a year… my daughter and her family live only 30 minutes away, and yet our time together has also been severely impacted. I could go on and on, but the point is obvious….it isn’t the end-of-life days I expected. And I know I speak for us all–life is different. On top of the pandemic is the political upheaval. I remember the days when the worst news on TV was an earthquake on an island I didn’t even know the name of… or even 9/11 which affected a family in our church, and we prayed for them, loved them but then went on with our lives. No matter which side we are on, the constant debilitating news is so disturbing. It seems peace is so far away for our nation. I remember with joy in my heart those carefree days growing up in New Haven, Conn., listening to the Yankees play baseball, eating watermelon with so many families on our block, going to school, restaurants, basketball games. I remember lording it as a senior in high school, which now my grandchildren can’t do. Indeed, those were to good ole days. And I miss them.

But….Jesus hasn’t changed!!! He is still there when I open my heart to Him  and pour out my frustration at these days. He listens when I ask Him to protect my children and grandchildren in this changing world. I know He is with those who are so severely affected by the pandemic and other tragedies these days. I thank Him daily for the beautiful flowers and magnificent sunsets He is blessing us with!  I see so much to be thankful for despite the grave problems of our reality.  How could I possibly live if I didn’t know Jesus has us in the palm of His hand. And Jesus is my constant companion during this difficult period of staying home. I join Tami in singing “I have the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart, I have the love of Jesus down in my heart, down in my heart, TO STAY!!!  Sing with us!!!!

PRAYER:

Written by Emilie Griffin, a contemporary Christian author.

Dear Lord, there are signs of trouble and anxiety all around me. Give me confidence to trust in your incarnate presence in a fearful world. Help me know that I am a child of God. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy: Jeremy Riddle. Written by minister and evangelist George William Cooke in the 1920s

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MEDITATION:

Written by Arie Leder, a contemporary teacher of the Old Testament and pastor.

The first question God asks in the Bible may seem a bit strange. We might think God would ask, “What have you done?” since Adam had disobeyed God’s instruction not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. But the question God asks is “Where are you?”—and, of course, God knows exactly where Adam and Eve are. God’s question makes clear to us that we cannot hide from him (Psalm 139:7-12), that we belong in his presence, that he made us to walk with him. But the guilt of our sin pushes us to try to hide. We try to cover up or run away, not wanting to face up to what we’ve done. The time of Lent gives us an excellent opportunity to focus on the “where” of God’s question: our walk with God. The Bible uses the word “way” for the first time in Genesis 3:24, saying that the “way” back to the garden was blocked by an angel with a sword. But God loved the world so much that he provided the way back to him, and to full life again, through Jesus Christ, who said: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Walking with the Lord means constantly answering the question “Where are you?” and emerging from our hiding places—that we may see ourselves in the light of God’s grace. It’s a good question to ask at the beginning of each day.

PRAYER:

Written by Phil Togwell, a contemporary author and leader of the Anglican Diocese of Durham’s Prayer Project.

I become aware of my thoughts — especially the things that are distracting and disturbing me.  Lord, I offer you  my thinking, and I ask you to give me peace.

I notice my emotions — especially the feelings that are affecting my mood. Lord, I offer you all that I am feeling right now, and I ask you to give me joy.

I notice my body — especially the places where I can feel tension and stress.  Lord, I breathe slowly and deeply. I set myself at rest in your presence and I ask you to make me whole.  Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Take My Hand Precious Lord/Just a Closer Walk With Thee: Selah.  Take My Hand Precious Lord is a gospel song written by Thomas Dorsey in the bereavement of the death of his wife in childbirth in 1932. Just a Closer Walk with Thee is a gospel song from an unknown writer, but likely dates back to Southern African American churches of the 19^th century.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Vickie Stone.

As a kid growing up in Columbus, Ohio many weekends my family would pack up and drive over to Indiana to visit my cousins.  Loaded in the station wagon with just the radio for entertainment, we drove northwest and eventually could tune in WOWO radio station.  At first it was just bits of the broadcast with mostly static, then it would come in loud and clear.  Now we were still far away from my cousin’s home, but WOWO had a 10,000 watt signal, so in those parts it carried quite a distance!  My folks told my sisters, brother and I that the station was around when they were growing up.

A relationship with God is much like a radio station.  We must tune in regularly and listen carefully to His channel.  Do we actually spend time every day to not only pray, but to listen?  We need to listen to the still small voice that talks to our hearts. Like many perhaps, I have struggled with this, but once I understood the reason Jesus took himself away from His disciples and went out into the wilderness to spend quiet, uninterrupted time with His Father, it became easier.  During the pandemic that began last year I began to carve out regular time each morning to meditate which I then combined with my prayer time. The benefits really helped me find peace during that turbulent year and continues to do so now.  And I’m grateful this meditation practice has become a habit; it helps me quiet my mind and listen.

As a lover of toe-tapping bluegrass music, there is a song called “Turn Your Radio On”. (Listen to the link below).     Can you hear God’s voice? Are you in tune with God’s spirit?  If you want a relationship with God and feel God’s power in your life, keep striving to have this relationship.  It’s one that will always be there.

PRAYER:

Written by Phil Togwell, a contemporary author and leader of the Anglican Diocese of Durham’s Prayer Project.

Thank you, Father, for loving me with all Your heart, all Your soul, and all Your mind. Inspire me this week to love You more with all of mine. Thank You, Jesus, for Your faithful and sacrificial friendship. Help me this week to be a faithful and sacrificial friend like You. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for listening to my many thoughts and words and dreams. Still my soul this week to listen much more carefully to Yours. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Turn Your Radio On: Rose Maddox with the Vern Williams Band. Written by Rose Maddox and first performed in 1982.  
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MEDITATION:

Written by Max Lucado, a contemporary pastor, author, and speaker. This is an excerpt from his book “He Chose the Nails.”

What do you say we have a chat about graveclothes? Sound like fun? Sound like a cheery topic? Hardly. Make a list of depressing subjects, and burial garments is somewhere between IRS audits and long-term dental care. No one likes graveclothes. No one discusses graveclothes. Have you ever spiced up dinner-table chat with the question, “What are you planning to wear in your casket?” Most folks don’t discuss graveclothes. The apostle John, however, was an exception. Ask him, and he’ll tell you how he came to see burial garments as a symbol of triumph. He didn’t always see them that way. A tangible reminder of the death of his best friend, Jesus, they used to seem like a symbol of tragedy. But on the first Easter Sunday, God took clothing of death and made it a symbol of life. Could he do the same for you? Could he take what today is a token of tragedy and turn it into a symbol of triumph?

We all face tragedy. What’s more, we’ve all received the symbols of tragedy. Yours might be a telegram from the war department, an ID bracelet from the hospital, a scar, or a court subpoena. We don’t like these symbols, nor do we want these symbols. Like wrecked cars in a junkyard, they clutter up our hearts with memories of bad days. But could God use such things for something good? How far can we go with verses like Romans 8:28 that says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him”? Does “everything” include tumors and tests and tempers and terminations? John would answer yes. John would tell you that God can turn any tragedy into a triumph, if only you will wait and watch. Could I challenge you with a little exercise? Remove the word everything from the verse and replace it with the symbol of your own tragedy. In hospital stays God works for the good. In divorce papers God works for the good. In a prison term God works for the good. If God can change John’s life through a tragedy, could it be he will use a tragedy to change yours?

PRAYER:

Written by Carla Harding, a contemporary Christian author.

Jesus, open my eyes to perceive You, realign my mind to believe You, and reawaken my heart to receive You, now and throughout the day to come. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

The Purpose In The Pain: Matt Hybarger.  Written by Matt Hybarger in 2015.
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MEDITATION:

Written by Celeste Bailey.

Relying on God’s Word in the midst of chaos, adversity, fear, and uncertainties has always been a source of hope and strength in my life. I was blessed to have the opportunity to be discipled by the Navigators when I was 16 years old. Part of the discipleship program was to memorize scripture. I kept about 60 Bible verses in a small packet that I carried with me everywhere. These verses helped me navigate through many hardships. These included: fleeing from a civil war, navigating through a new way of life in a country foreign to me, and many other extremely difficult decisions. I am reminded of the story of Peter in the Gospel of Matthew walking on water towards Jesus. When he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. It is only when he took his eyes away from his source of strength and comfort that he began to sink. Cares of the world, anxieties, and dread are consequences of not abiding in Him. During this season of lent, let’s encourage one another to make every effort to be still and abide in Him, trusting in the precious promises He gave to us through Scripture.

PRAYER:

Written by Thomas A Kempis (1380-1471) was the author of “The Imitation of Christ”, one of the most popular and best-known Christian books on devotion.

O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; do You alone speak to me.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Be Still My Soul: Eclipse 6.  Written in German in 1752 by Lutheran hymnwriter Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel and translated to English in 1855.  The hymn is sung to the tune Finlandia by Sibelius, a national song of Finland.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Valerie E. Hess, a contemporary author, speaker, and musician. This is an excerpt from her book “Spiritual Disciplines Devotional.”

Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, “Most people are about as happy as they choose to be.” We all know people who choose not to be happy. They are the ones at the family gatherings who, no matter how nice the event is, always find something wrong with it. Or they can never be fully happy or healthy despite the goodness surrounding them. Their little bit of complaining yeast can really work to dampen or even wreck an event for others.

In the discipline of celebration, we choose to be happy. Not in a naïve, optimistic kind of frothiness, but in a deep place in our spirits. We know that we can keep the festival because Christ, the Passover lamb, has been sacrified, and everything will ultimately come out as it should in the kingdom of God.  The analogy here is the anchor sunk into the bottom of the ocean, holding firmly despite the hurricane raging around the ship on the surface. This is where celebration becomes a discipline: we are making choices for life and goodness and wholeness in every situation of every day. And that is not always a natural choice to make. It takes practice and training, as do all the other good things in life.

PRAYER:

Written by Karen Moore, a contemporary Christian author.

Lord, for all those who don’t yet know Your mighty and powerful love, please help them find you. Pour out your mercy on their hearts and kindle the flame of faith in a new and passionate way into their spirits. As they walk toward You, Lord even a little bit, run toward them as the Father did in the story of the Prodigal son and bring them back home again to celebrate in great joy. May your light shine on in their hearts and minds forever. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Blessed Assurance: Alan Jackson.  Written in 1873 by blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby to music written in 1873 by Phoebe Knapp. The song reflects Crosby’s walk of faith, as expressed in Philippians 1:21.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Sarah Young, a contemporary American author. This is from the Jesus Calling Devotional Bible.

Living in dependence on Me is the way to enjoy abundant life. You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness of My presence. Tasks that you used to dread are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy My closeness. When you feel tired, you remember that I am your Strength; you take pleasure in leaning on Me. I am pleased by your tendency to turn to Me more and more frequently, especially when you are alone.

When you are with other people, you often lose sight of My Presence. Your fear of displeasing people puts you in bondage to them, and they become your primary focus. When you realize this has happened, whisper My Name; this tiny act of trust brings Me to the forefront of your consciousness, where I belong. As you bask in the blessing of My nearness, My life can flow through you to others. This is abundant life!

PRAYER:

Written by Mother Marie de Laroche (1812-1857) a French noblewoman who became the co-foundress of the Sisters of Divine Providence. La Roche University is named in honor of her.

Visibly do I see in all things the wonderful Providence of God; may my trust be ever firmer and simpler.

May we be ever filled with joy and thanks toward the most excellent and best of Father.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Lean on the Everlasting Arms: Michael Eldridge.  Written by Elisha Hoffman and Anthony Showalter in 1887. It is based on Deuteronomy 33:27.

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MEDITATION:

Written by Mary Anne Whittier/Johansen

Saying prayers at bedtime is a habit many Christians practice. I have also found it soothing to repeat the books of the Bible, and the USA states and presidents.  I like to use my ten fingers to help me to remember, perhaps the way the Incas used the knots in a cord to recall complicated messages. The Nicene Creed of AD 381 has ten sentences.  Four begin with “We believe”.  The Apostles’ Creed, AD 390 uses “I believe”.  The split between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church finally resulted in the great Schism of 1054. Today, rather than the nature of the trinity, churches split over same sex marriage, support of Israel, and numerous political positions which seem to become a “religion” for their adherents.  Memorization requires attention to detail.  I especially like the Holy Spirit as “the giver of life” and the references to scripture. “WE believe, acknowledge, look for” gives me a comfortable sense of community.   “Light from Light”, feeds my soul. We count our blessings. But memorizing the Nicene Creed has been a wonderful help in staying connected to God.  

PRAYER:

Our prayer today will be the Nicene Creed, one of creeds in the Presbyterian Book of Confession.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

MUSIC MEDITATION:

Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed in Latin Chant.

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