"Welcome to the Chart Room"

I have been in the midst of the BRAVE journey with Crossroads and many other churches in our city.  Recently, I spent some time going through the BRAVE experience at CityLink Center.  This interactive prayer experience was one that provided some hands on tools to further explore the places in which God has been calling us as individuals to be brave.

***

I walk into the Chart Room not knowing what to expect. 

I am met by two huge wooden tables that look as though they have maps on them underneath a sheet of glass.  They are surrounded by well lit alcoves filled with messages inviting me to chart out a course. 

The track playing through the headphones I am wearing tells me to look for the message that connects with my heading.

My heading during this BRAVE journey has been: “Find a woman of peace.” 

I landed on this after reviewing a few things the BRAVE app pulled up for me to consider—where I want to be less stressed, where I need change, something I want to do, and looking at my “next spiritual step.”  It was this last area that really drew my attention, since all of these other items felt like areas where I have actively been make changes in my life recently. 

In looking at the spiritual progression—from seeking truth, to receiving Jesus, to focusing on obedience—I really am at the place where these are a part of my story, but I need to step towards replicating my faith in others.  This is something that I have been open to for a long time; and in some ways I think this happens on some level in snippets with many people I meet daily.  I am a teacher and love to share the things I am learning.  I also have the privilege of doing this daily with my Little Love.  However, I am constantly challenged by the stories I hear of others in our community at Crossroads who are actively and intentionally moving with a purpose to disciple others in their lives, encouraging and guiding them along as they seek Jesus in the midst of their life in a more disciplined and regular way. 

I don’t know how pursue this, really.  It doesn’t seem like something I can make happen.  So in some ways this brave challenge seemed to be the one that would require me to trust God to act most.  In the end, that is why I picked this heading. 

Truthfully, it feels risky to me, because I see no way of accomplishing all this on my own. 

However, after too many times of failing, I have learned that when I build up plans in my own way, they fall far short of what I hope for or expect.  God’s way is always better.  I sense that God has been in the midst of the formation of this heading, but nothing in my life at the moment really seems to suggest that this can be accomplished.  Certainly not in six weeks. 

Yet, I’m choosing to follow.  That’s what it is to be obedient, right?  I think of the disciples.   Jesus often asked them to go and do things that probably seemed a bit odd to them.  Yet,they followed and discovered things just as he told them they would be.  I wonder what I will find.

When I am asked to sum all this thinking up in six words or less, I remembered a phrase I have heard used around Crossroads to describe the way they encourage discipleship—“find a person of peace.” 

This phrase was meant to refer to the passage where Jesus sends out his twelve disciples in Matthew: 

^“ Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.  As you enter the home, give it your greeting.  If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.  If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”  -Matthew 10:11-14, NIV

It is a phrase to express that our time is best spent sharing the good news and fostering growth in someone who is a willing recipient.  This person is a “person of peace.” 

I have all this in mind as I set my heading.  “Find a woman of peace.” 

I think about all of this in the Chart Room as I look around in these nooks trying to find a message that speaks to me. 

It is the sign that says   “I AM THE AUTHOR OF PEACE” that I keep coming back to.

There is something in this proclamation of God’s character makes me pause. 

I grab a brochure and sit down to consider this.

I am struck by the idea that in this journey to “find a woman of peace” it is God who is the author of peace.  He wants to bring His peace to my life.  I am also amazed by the thought that just as He brings His peace into my life I can trust He will prepare a person of peace for me; and as I consider this, I begin to think that perhaps this journey to find a woman of peace is not primarily an external thing.  I didn’t see that coming! 

As I Set Sail I am aware of God’s love for me.  I am aware of his provision.  I am aware that He wants my good, as I seek him and desire to be part of His vision, where disciples reproduce.  He wants me to be a woman of peace.

I step into the Storm Room and take a seat on steps.   I watch as people walk out on the water.  Like Peter, when Jesus says, “Come,” these people step out in faith.  The waves are churning and still they go.  I spy a spot high up and walk across the waters where I find a place to rest on the edge of a wave.

I sit and think about the storms that have been raging in me during this BRAVE journey.  Fear is something I have battled again and again in my life.  This time fear comes in the form of a full life.  How does this challenge fit into it?  I am not sure I see that yet.  I am afraid of being overwhelmed.  Yet, I realize, Jesus knows my capacity better than I do. 

I keep coming back to that chart room message: “I am the author of peace.”

All I can think is that God will take care of finding a woman of peace.  He wants me to concentrate on the internal journey of finding my peace in Christ.

With this revelation I move into the sanctuary.

I move through in the sand up to the front and find a spot to sit on a wooden bench.

I sit and listen to the music.

I lift up praise.

I thank God for speaking to me.

It is good to rest here in His presence.

In His presence I find peace.

As the minutes pass and I finally stand to leave.  I leave knowing that I do not go alone.

The peace of Christ goes with me.  He is with me wherever I go.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  -John 14:27 NIV

***

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we seek Christ and step boldly into the plans He has laid out for us—especially when they seem bigger than we can handle.  May we find that He is the peace in the midst of the stormy places.  May we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  May we discover that He never leaves us or forsakes us.  May we come to know His faithfulness anew.

Jessica :)


A big thank you to my dear husband for capturing some photos of the prayer experience for me.  It wasn't until long after I returned I wished I had thought to pull out my camera!

Isaiak!

I pull her out of her seat at the table and set her on the ground as the next song begins to play off my phone. 

My Little Love runs into the next room as the words begin, “Isaiah 6:1-3.” 

“Isaiak!” she squeals, running back towards me. 

(She may or may not have Isaiah the prophet crossed with baby Isaac who we read about last night.  Or perhaps, it is Isaiah 6 she is trying to say.  I am not totally sure.  I smile at her.) 

“Yes.  Isaiah 6,” I affirm. 

I run downstairs to move some laundry over while she runs around on the wood floors—exploring, dancing, repeating the location of the verses in the song over and over.  “Isaiak.  Isaiak.  Isaiak.”   

The song plays on. 

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, sitting upon a throne high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him stood the seraphim, each had six wings: With two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.  And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

-Isaiah6:1-3 (ESV) 

When she hears the word “Holy” she stops. 
  

It has been a word that she has been using for weeks or maybe even months now.  Holy and beloved.  Silent night, holy night.  She hears it and usually enters into her own moment of calling out, “Holy.  Holy.  Holy.” 

She sings “holy" at the table.

She sings “holy” while she plays.

She sings “holy” in her car seat.

She sings “holy” in the middle of the grocery store.  (This one surprised me.  But sure enough, the words to the music, as we rolled through the baking aisle in Meijer searching for food coloring, were saying just that.)

She sings “holy” as she lies in my arms before bed. 

I am amazed by this Little Love.  The way she is so observant and attentive causes me to pause.  As she begins to sing “Holy,” once again, with such earnestness and joy, I stop.  I don’t want to miss it! 

The God she sings about is holy.   

This moment we are living right now, holy.  It is a chance to live worship. 

And this holy God?  He calls me his chosen one, holy and beloved. 

Something in my heart changes in these moments.  I can’t help but think of Moses standing before the burning bush as God says, “Take off your sandals, for where you are standing is holy ground”(Exodus 3:5).

I can’t help but smile.  I can’t help but join her in this chorus:   

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
    the whole earth is full of his glory.” 

Because He is holy.  This is a moment to worship.  This moment is one in which I am invited to put on love. 

And so I do. 

***

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we stop to embrace each moment as one to be lived worshipping the Holy One,  humbled to be called God’s holy and beloved children, and standing on holy ground. 

Jessica :)  

P.S.  Family Seeds Worship is wonderful.  It is Scripture set to music.  We usually listen at breakfast to begin the day off with God's Word.  We do more if my Little Love asks throughout the day, which she often does.  By listening she is memorizing Scripture and she doesn't even realize she is doing it.  I love that she is hiding God's word in her heart with such joy.

Promised Land

“When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel, and settle them in their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.  The peoples will take them along and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them as an inheritance in the land of the Lord as male and female servants; and they will take their captors captive and will rule over their oppressors.”  

 -Isaiah 14:1-2

I have been reading Isaiah lately.  In the midst of prophesied trouble I have been gripped by the promises of the Lord and His heart for all people. As I was reading the passage above, this poem was the song God wrote on my heart.

Let us laugh with gaiety in the Promised Land.

Let us sing praise with our lives.

Let us work with purpose.

Let us open our arms wide

    To all who want to join

    As we enjoy our inheritance.

We the chosen ones

   Who move with compassion

    Toward the poor and captive and blind and oppressed

    Bringing favor and freedom

    Sealed with the kiss of mercy and a humble Love.

Let it be.

Let it be.

Grace and peace be ours in abundance as we dance to the movements of the Holy Spirit who leads us in ways of compassion and love towards all he puts in our path.  May we be the hands and feet of Jesus bringing favor and freedom to each one.

Jessica :)

Ash Wednesday: A Prayer Space

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

Today is Ash Wednesday.  Here at A Becoming Life I am setting aside space for us to mark the beginning of Lent well.  Today's post is a  prayer experience. It is based on a time of prayer I designed in 2011 using Phyllis Tickle’s Lenten book, Eastertide.  You may notice the post is significantly longer than usual due to the reflective way it will guide you through a time of worship designed for Ash Wednesday.  Please take your time and linger as the Holy Spirit leads.

Things to know:

There will be seven points where you are asked to pause and consider something.  Notice the Scripture first.  It will set the tone for reflection.  Next, take a look at what you are being invited to consider.  These are meant as conversation starters between you and God.  You may find that at some places you will linger long and others you will move through more quickly.  This is to be expected. 

You might find it helpful to have a journal or something to write on as you go through the post. 

Take a moment to grab a black marker, a couple of slips of paper you would like to post around your home, and an object that is beautiful or pleasing to you.  By doing this now, you can fully participate without having to go in search of something a bit later.

Acknowledgements to be given:

All Scripture (except the Jonah passage), the Litany of Penance, the Concluding Prayer of the Church, and the Appointed Prayer of the Week appear in this post as they do in Eastertide.  They have been used with permission of the author.

My dear mother-in-law has put together the downloadable prayer for us to use this week.  I am extremely thankful that she has been generous with her time and talents.

Have a wonderful time connecting with God.  May you find that as you spend time in God's presence He leads you to mark this Lent well, walking it with Him. 

Grace and peace,

Jessica :)

***

“All your works praise you, O LORD, and your faithful servants bless you.

They make known the glory of your kingdom and speak of your power.” Psalm 145:10-11

Ann Voskamp writes: “We give to God when we give thanks.”

Begin this time of worship by lifting up specific things that you give thanks to God for in your life.  These items might be events, actions, or people in your life that come to mind.  They may be something that happened today, this week, this month, or more generally. 

Take a moment to write them down or voice them aloud. 

As you do so you “make known the glory of God’s kingdom and speak of His power.”    

***

“Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.” Psalm 28:2

Psalm 26:2  says: “Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.” 

Make this cry your own. 

Take some time to be introspective.  What might God discover in your heart* and your mind if He were to examine them. 

Take note of the things that come to mind—both positive and negative.  Voice these to God.  Perhaps you would like to stand and lift your hands as you do, asking God to “Hear the voice of your prayer as you cry out.” 

*If you are wondering about what the heart is exactly, Proverbs 4:23 says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life."  Additionally, Dallas Willard writes that, “The heart is where the decisions and choices are made for the whole person.” 

***

  

“But now—declares Yahweh—come back to me with all of your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning.  Tear your hearts and not your clothes, and come back to Yahweh, your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love.”   Joel  2:12-13

God is good.  He does not leave us in a place of recognizing the dark places of our heart, only to despair.  Instead, He invites us to come to Him, to lay these unsavory qualities, attitudes, and things we have done at His feet.  He invites us to confess and to repent of our sin.  To repent means to turn away from and begin walking in a new and opposite direction, towards Christ.

Read the Litany of Penance; and make this prayer your prayer.  Read it in the way that seems natural to you—quietly or aloud.  When you have finished move on to the next reflection.  (If you need some time to really feel in an authentic attitude of repentance wait a bit before you read the prayer.) 

Litany of Penance

Most holy and merciful Father:

I confess to you and to the whole communion of saints

In heaven and on earth,

That I have sinned by my own fault

In thought, word and deed;

By what I have done, and by what I have left undone.

I have not loved you with my whole heart, and mind, and strength.  I have not

Loved my neighbor as myself.  I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven.

Have mercy on me, Lord.

I have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us.  I have not been true to

The mind of Christ.  I have grieved your Holy Spirit.

Have mercy on me, Lord.

I confess to you, Lord, all of my past unfaithfulness:  the pride, hypocrisy, and

Impatience of my life

I confess to you, Lord.

My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people,

I confess to you, Lord.

My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I,

I confess to you, Lord.

My intemperate love of wordly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty in

Daily life and work,

I confess to you, Lord.

My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith

That is in me,

I confess to you, Lord.

Accept my repentance, Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to

Human need and suffering, and my indifference to indulgence and cruelty,

Accept my repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and

For my prejudice and contempt towards those who differ from me,

Accept my repentance, Lord.

For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those

Who come after us,

Accept my repentance, Lord.

Restore me, good Lord, and your anger depart from me,

Favorably hear me for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation,

That I might show forth all your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son, our Lord,

Bring me with your saints to the joy of His resurrection.

***

“The Ninevites believed God.  They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.  When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.  Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: 

“By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.  But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth.  Let everyone call urgently on God.  Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.  Who knows?  God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish.”

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”  Jonah 3:5-10

In ancient times, ashes were used to symbolize mourning.  Dusting oneself with ashes was a symbol of expressing sorrow for sin and faults, a way of pleading to God in an act of repentance.  In the Old Testament, Job says to God: “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you.  Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”  When you understand the symbolism of ashes in this context, it may not surprise you that Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of repentance and remembering.

On the cross, Jesus took upon himself the sin and pain of the world, including the things you spent time confessing just a few minutes ago.  Pick up your black marker* or take some time to find one now.  Use it to draw on your hand or on a piece of paper the symbol of a cross as an act of repentance and recognition that when “we confess our sin Christ is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9.  As you look at the symbol of the cross on your hand throughout the rest of your day, be reminded of what Christ has done for you.

*Sadly, I have no way of providing ashes across this digital medium. This marker will be used in lieu of ashes and not on the forehead.  If you plan to attend an Ash Wednesday service today you will likely have ashes marked on your forehead in the shape of a cross.  The ashes are made of the palms used last Palm Sunday and are usually mixed with oil to form a paste for use on Ash Wednesday.

***

“Weigh my heart, summon me by night, melt me down; you will find no impurity in me.

I give no offense with my mouth as others do; I have heeded the words of your lips.

My footsteps hold fast to the ways of your law; in your paths my feet shall not stumble.

I call upon you, O God, for you will answer me; incline your ear to me and hear my words.

Show me your marvelous loving-kindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them.

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings.”   Psalm 17:3-8

Ash Wednesday is the day which begins the 40 days of Lent.  Emilie Griffin describes Lent in this way: “Externally Lent is a time of doing without.  It is a time of self-denial, a penitential time, a time of repentance.  But inwardly, Lent is a time of drawing closer to Jesus.” 

As you move forward into this season of the Church liturgical calendar I invite you to participate by surrendering something and by intentionally making time and space to connect with Christ.

Take some time to talk with God.  Consider what you might surrender to Christ during Lent.  Also consider in what ways you might intentionally set aside time and space to spend with Christ in this time leading up to Easter.  Take a moment to write down what you will surrender and what you will commit to.  Consider writing it on a slip of paper and posting it somewhere in your home where you will see it each day between now and Easter.  Consider sharing with the community here by posting in the comments section at the end of the post the way you will be moving into this season “surrendered” and  “making time and space.”

A few ideas to consider surrendering: Fear, Need for approval, Facebook, Television, Criticism

A few ideas to consider for making time and space: Reading through one of the Gospels, Something related to one of your spiritual pathways, Serving someone who crosses your path each day, Counting the ways God is good in a gratitude journal

***

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.   Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever and ever.  Amen.

Take a few moments to think on these words from the Lord’s Prayer.  One thing that is comforting in them is that it is God who is acting.  It is His kingdom come; His will to be done; His provision for bread; He that forgives; He that leads and delivers; and it is for His glory.  We are only responsible to forgive others. 

Take heart and know that as you surrender and as you create time and space this Lent, it is “not by might nor by power, but by the Lord’s spirit” that you will have the perseverance and endurance to complete the task you have committed to. 

And do you know what God will do with this offering of repentance, surrender, and time?  He longs to make something beautiful.  Isaiah 61:3 says He will “bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes.”  He will make something beautiful from our humble offering.

Pick up the item that was beautiful or pleasing to you.  If you did not pick one out, go do that now.  Let this object be a symbol for you reminding you that Jesus will take that which you offer him and make it beautiful—beauty for ashes.  Place it somewhere where you will look at it regularly and be reminded of His promise.

***

“Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord.  Amen.”   - The Concluding Prayer of the Church

Take a look at the graphic image of “The Appointed Prayer for the Week ” below. 

Read it. 

Take a moment to print out a copy here. 

Place it somewhere where you will continue pray it during your times of prayer for the remainder of the week. 

You will not be praying it alone.  It is a prayer you will be praying with the greater community of the Church.  It is a symbol of our unity just as we are unified in this season through prayer and seeking the Lord and by walking with Him intentionally during this time of Lent. 

Blessings as you walk forward into Lent well. 

Go in peace.