A new child had arrived to join our Atrium the day we were in the midst of this annual Lenten ritual. So she had a right to be a bit in the dark about exactly what we were doing – even though I had made a brief attempt to explain it to her.
|
Posts Tagged ‘Lent’
Has the Easter Bunny Stolen our “Alleluia”?
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 30th, 2012
Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry, Spirituality |
Tags: children's ministry, Easter, Lent 
Comments OffFailing Lent
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 28th, 2012
I think I failed Lent this year. I started out pretty good. 7:30 am Ash Wednesday service, morning meditation as usual. But something happened along the way, and it just sort of got away from me.
|The Gethsemane Watch
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 21st, 2012
Whatever vehicle is chosen to focus our prayer, the Gethsemane watch presents us with a superb opportunity to teach faithfulness in prayer and discipleship. “Could you not keep awake one hour?” were the words of Jesus in reproach to his hapless followers in the first Gethsemane.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Gethsemane, Good Friday, Lent, Maundy Thursday, meditation, prayer, Vigil, worship Comments OffA Woman’s Touch
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 16th, 2012
A woman’s touch has traditionally meant “a little something extra to bring grace, charm and beauty to a situation” – a decorative option. However, as is so often in life, the decorative of one era becomes the essential for another.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Advent, incarnation, Lent, meditation, resurrection, spirituality, women Comments OffSimpler Easter
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 10th, 2012
Focus on relationships with family, friends and other people, and with God, rather that on “stuff.” Spend your time, energy and money nurturing people, not things.
|In the Desert? Call for Help!
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 8th, 2012
Modern life is not so different from the past, in that human nature is not innately inclined to turn to God for help. Our nature is more inclined to turn to God when we’re at wits’ end because our own efforts can’t save the day. When we feel defeated or threatened, we are ready to cry for help. We are in the spiritual “desert experience,” where our despairing hearts yearn for God’s kingdom, where all things are possible.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: desert, Lent, meditation, prayer, spirituality Comments OffProstrate
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 6th, 2012
Laying face down on the acupuncturist’s table, I took a few deep breaths and settled myself into a time to relax and pray. It was still early, barely 8:30 am, and I had just come from an Ash Wednesday liturgy.
|Easter Wheat
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 4th, 2012
The European custom of growing wheat at Easter, as a symbol of Jesus’ death and resurrection, is finding new popularity in our own times. It is a simple activity that can be done at home or with children in Church School during the waning days of Lent.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: children's ministry, Christianity, Easter, hymn, Lent Comments OffTaking a Step Back
Posted by Sharon Pearson on March 1st, 2012
There is a tricky part to Lenten disciplines. I could give up something like chocolate (popular discipline), but if I am doing that just to lose weight or because I think it might be easy, I would be doing it for the wrong reasons.
|Change Your Heart & Mind Blog Tour
Posted by Sharon Pearson on February 26th, 2012
The “Common English Bible Change Your Heart and Life” tour extends from February through May, honoring the Christian observances of Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, the Ascension of Jesus, and Pentecost.
|In the Devil’s Frying Pan: The Desert Experience
Posted by Sharon Pearson on February 23rd, 2012
Lent is the time in the church calendar when we remember how Jesus was “led by the spirit” into the desert to face the devil’s temptation and to experience personally the power of the living God. It is a time to consider our own “desert experiences,” when we take risks and commit our plans to God.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: desert, discernment, Jesus, Lent, meditation, spirituality Comments OffAsh Wednesday
Posted by Sharon Pearson on February 22nd, 2012
Today we begin our season of pilgrimage with Jesus. First into the desert, then into Jerusalem. May this season be one of spiritual renewal for you and those you share ministry with.
| Posted in Featured, Spirituality |
Tags: Ash Wednesday, Lent, meditation, prayer, resources Comments Off
Loading ...
