The Collects for today; Pentecost Sunday.

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

And i’m really not into pinterest (did i even spell it right?) but i do like to post a few things every once in awhile. One of those things i post are icons. Today was pentecost, i thought i would share a few icons for you to remember pentecost and to be inspired by the the very Holy Spirit that God has send to us.

Sunday was the first day of Advent.

Here were a couple prayers for the day

“Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.”

“O God, who set before us the great hope that your Kingdom shall come on earth and taught us to pray for its coming: give us grace to discern the signs of its dawning and to work for the perfect day when the whole world shall reflect your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Good stuff to start the Advent journey.

For me i’m reading a few devotionals this Advent, trying to really get into the heart of this time of year and embrace what it’s all about. So that’s pretty much what i’ll sharing here on the blog for the next 4 weeks. Quotes i’ve read, reflections i’ve had and ideas that are swirling around my head and heart.

Advent is a season of waiting.

And because waiting is a key skill of the Christian life, it’s fitting that this is how we start our Christian year. I look forward to pondering the season with you.

Grace, peace and waiting
Erik

PS :: The image is a modern day rendering of a classic Advent Icon. I’ll post the more traditional Icon later this week but i really like this representation as well. ENJOY!

I shared last Wednesday with my students about making resolutions that reflect our desire for the freedom God wants to give us and that lead us into the life God created for us to live.

One of my resolutions is to read the bible more this year!
I’m reading the whole thing in the first 90 days of the year and then at least one chapter ever day of this year.

My pastor, Fr. David Roseberry’s preached a sermon yesterday (check it out at Christ Church Plano) that was awesome and a great reminder and challenge for us to get into the Word of God this year!

Want to join me?!?!
You know you do!

I’m going to post on Facebook (and maybe on this blog) every monday, what is called The Daily Office. A collection of readings for everyday of the week that people all around the world read together.

Read all of the readings or just pick one of the readings for the day and take a few moments to get into God’s Word.

God will meet with you and speak to you!
Can’t wait to see what God does in our lives because we are getting into His life through reading His Word, the bible!!!

Here is The Daily Office for this week…
And if you have an iPhone or iPad there is a great app; iPhonelectionary.com that can give you these readings as well. Or just pick up the free YouVersion Bible app and start your own bible reading plan.

But here is The Daily Office for this week…

MONDAY JANUARY 16TH
Psalm 25 | Gen. 8:6-22 | Psalm 9, 15 | Heb. 4:14-5:6 | John 2:23-3:15

TUESDAY JANUARY 17TH
Psalm 26, 28 | Gen. 9:1-17 | Psalm 36, 39 | Heb. 5:7-14 | John 3:16-21

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 18TH
Psalm 38 | Gen. 9:18-29 | Psalm 119:25-48 | Heb. 6:1-12 | John 3:22-36

THURSDAY JANUARY 19TH
Psalm 37:1-18 | Gen. 11:1-9 | Psalm 37:19-42 | Heb. 6:13-20 | John 4:1-15

FRIDAY JANUARY 20TH
Psalm 31 | Gen. 11:27-12:8 | Psalm 35 | Heb. 7:1-17 | John 4:16-26

SATURDAY JANUARY 21ST
Psalm 30, 32 | Gen. 12:9-13:1 | Psalm 42, 43 | Heb. 7:18-28 | John 4:27-42

I tweeted the other day about the Advent Experience i was doing with my students. I ended the tweet & facebook post with “… just wait!” A clever pun on the idea of experiencing advent. I had one person say something but other than that i’m not sure anybody really caught the start to my Advent Experience but then again i don’t think many people really catch Advent in general. Which is why we had an Advent Experience!

And if your wondering what i’m talking about… you’re not catching it either! Just wait

Advent is all about waiting, anticipating, it’s all about getting ready for the One who was, and is, and is to come! I decided that i could just preach a message about this, there are TONS of scriptures about Advent, about waiting and anticipating but i wanted my students to experience it!

So here’s what we did…

We started our service off with with a countdown, all the student with one robust voice counted down the last 10 seconds and then… another countdown started. They WAITED 3 more minutes, counted down once again and we continued.

Then we played a game, kinda. I picked students, had them come up on the platform, picked some random pieces that they thought were going to be apart of the game and then i told them i had forget some of the pieces to the game and they were going to have to WAIT.

I also had one student come on the platform, I had found out his absolute favorite snack, honey BBQ wings from Pizza Hut. I told him we were going play a little game, he had to sit with the wings in front of him but we weren’t ready yet… he would have to WAIT!

I let all the students sit down, they would have to be PATIENT. I let the student stay on the platform with his wings though. Our worship leader came forward to lead us. He tuned… and tuned… and tuned some more. He continued to say, “Sorry guys, just be PATIENT, HOLD ON, we’ll be ready SOON.”

I then came up and said i would just give the message and we’ll worship later. By this time, those that were really paying attention (and most of them actually were) began to realize the theme.

I opened my bible and began to flip through, trying to find the passage i was looking for, “my bookmark must have fallen out, just HOLD ON, i’ll find it.” “I think i actually left my notes in my office, just be PATIENT.” I walked of the platform and this little video i make began to play.

When the video was done i walked up and began to share. My middle school students were engaged, they got it, they knew what we were talking about. Matthew, the student on the stage with his favorite wings quickly became my goto illustration. Because sometimes it’s really hard to wait, isn’t it! I preached, we worship together, it was a really great night!

The one nugget i wanted to communicate through my message and through the experience was that we know as Christians we need to learn to pray, to read our bible, even to live in community… but how often do we teach students the art of waiting, being patient, holding on for the Lord. We don’t’ typically see this as a Christian practice worth giving any attention to but the more i studied and looked around bible the art of waiting is central to the Christian life. And what better time then Advent to usher our students and our churches in the Christian practice of patience.

We talked a bit about the double Advent we embrace. First we WAIT for the birth of Christ but we also WAIT for the return of Christ, knowing that He will return and make all things new, redeem our suffering, and quench our thirst once and for all.

We talked about trust and faith. It’s easy to think that God must not know what he’s doing because things aren’t happening on our timeframe or the way we think they should go. But learning to WAIT is essential for the Christian life, it teaches us to trust that God actually knows what he’s doing, he has a plan, that God is actually good and is with us! It’s not always easy to wait but often times that which we wait for is far better then what we could have had sooner. Our culture teaches immediate gratification but our Lord teaches us to WAIT! To Trust! To have faith that God has a plan!

There are a lot of culture implication that we talked about. Faith implication and a general challenge to WAIT ON THE LORD because he promises to hear our cries!

Here some some scriptures that i used…

Isaiah 64:1     //    Luke 1:78-79     //     Psalm 40:1     // Proverbs 16:32

Romans 8:25     //     James 5:8     //      Revelations 1:7-8

You can also check out some of my Advent posts from last year…

Advent :: I Can’t Wait!  #1

Advent :: I Can’t Wait!  #2

Advent :: I Can’t Wait!  #3

Advent :: I Can’t Wait!  #4

And finally if you looking from some great Advent ideas & videos check out Advent Conspiracy – they do some great stuff!

And look at their old stuff on YouTube — really good!

Hold On!

w/Grace and peace

erik

Welcome to Eastertide…

Eastertide is the time between Easter Sunday and Pentecost. Pretty much it’s suppose to be a party. Every Sunday is Easter Sunday during this time. I like that idea!

Now, i just blogged for 47 days straight, this is 48 — definitely a record! So i DO NOT plan on blogging everyday throughout Eastertide but i will post some reflections here and there.

Here are a couple video’s to think about as you embrace the resurrection / our risen Lord!

[ this first video was made by a friend of mine, Jeremy Cowart. It’s some modern day iconography, maybe even digital iconography but i love it! So take a look and remember HE IS RISEN! ]

[ i posted this second video last year right after Easter because that’s when it was first released. Now think what you want about Rob Bell but this video is solid and i think, inspiring. And in my opinion lacks controversy, i think. Remember, HE IS RISEN! ]

On Sunday i will post the Revised Common Lectionary readings. My hope is that you read these, meditate on them, and that many of you will also engage these verses on Sunday morning with your church community. If your church doesn’t follow the lectionary it’s still powerful to know that thousands of Christians around the world are reading and thinking on these same verses. Your apart of something big, your not on this journey alone!

The verses are taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. If you click on the image it will take you to the readings online. There are two resource i use to connect to the lectionary readings and the church calendar. First is a really easy Church calendar i found and use a lot, this is the link the images with the verses (above) will be linked to. The other resource that i have found very helpful and informative is the CRI “The Voice” web page. This site can not only connect you with the lectionary readings but also has TONS of great info on liturgy, the church calendar (the season, theology, ect.) and many other helpful topics. There is a lot of good resources there, so check it out.

Grace and peace – i hope your first week of Lent was deep and meaningful!
(i would love to hear about it!)
erik

I was able to attend an Ash Wednesday service this afternoon. It was a different experience, i didn’t go to my church for the service because i was down town already and needed to be home quickly after the service. And tonight i have a meeting at church but it won’t allow to attend the evening service. So i attended Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Nashville. It’s a absolutely beautiful church and reminds me how valuable aesthetics can be in worship but i felt the absence of my community as i sat alone taking in the service. It did afford me the space to think a bit extra and remember where i was a year ago on this day. The picture to the left speaks a thousand words of that story!

But there were a few parts to the Ash Wednesday service that really stood out to me this year.

The reading of Psalm 51. It just seems perfect!
(i included it below)

The time spent confessing our sins.

The imposition of ashes.
(pretty much what it’s all about, right.)

And of course the Eucharist.
(that fits every setting!)

These things, along with prayer and mediation, remembering the past year which hasn’t been the easiest of years just made this a really valuable time for me.

It’s hard to say i am looking forward to Lent, that’s like saying you like pain or punishment or something like that even though Lenten discipline is very different. But I am, i am really am looking forward to Lent. I am looking forward to this time of addition and subtract, purging my life of some unnecessary things and adding a thing or two that might aid in my spiritual journey. I am most excited about these 40 days of reflection, prayer & fasting, and seeking Jesus and journeying with him.

PSALM 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.

May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

(highlighted parts are are my favorites)

Grace and Peace
erik

[ at top of every post will be the daily reading. Thought, reflections, insight will be below. ]

READING :: Genesis 2:4-7

(i hope your are able to participate in an Ash Wednesday service. I thought i would copy a few things that are common to that service and that i think will be especially helpful to participate in and guide us on this journey.)

READINGS

Isaiah 58:1-12    ::    Psalm 103    ::     2 Corinthians 5:20-6:10    ::    Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

*** Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return ***

(this is what they say when your getting the ashes. but even if you don’t this is what you should be thinking about today.)

LITANY OF PENITENCE

Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault 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, and mind, and
strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We
have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
[ Have mercy on us, Lord. ]

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved your Holy Spirit.
[ Have mercy on us, Lord. ]

***  SIN AGAINST SELF  ***

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,

[ We confess to you, Lord. ]

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,
[ We confess to you, Lord. ]

Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
[ We confess to you, Lord. ]

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
[ We confess to you, Lord. ]

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,
[ We confess to you, Lord. ]

***  SINS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOR  ***

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
[ Accept our repentance, Lord. ]

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
[ Accept our repentance, Lord. ]

***  SINS AGAINST CREATION  ***

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
[ Accept our repentance, Lord. ]

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
[ Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great. ]

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
[ That we may show forth your glory in the world. ]

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
[ Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection. ]

After the Litany of Penitence it might be helpful to spend some time meditating on some of the readings. I might focus in on Psalm 103 during this time.

Grace and peace

I remember being in high school, i was an extremely zealous Christian kid but when people were walking around with a smudge on their forehead i just wasn’t sure what to do. Do i tell them, a kind Christian thing to do i thought OR do i just ignore them so that they don’t feel stupid for having huge black smudge on their forehead, that weirdly looked like a cross some times. Luckily i never said anything and soon found out what was going on, the Catholics were doing something weird again!

In college i studies Christian ministry and theology and before long i found out what the deal was, it was Ash Wednesday. And before long i actually decided to attend an Ash Wednesday service with some friends at the Catholic church that was pretty much on campus. I began to learn about the season of Lent and participate in the giving up of certain pleasure. I’ve given up caffeine, meat, sugar, social media, all of my phone apps. All things that i hold dear to my heart! To dear some times! Which is why i gave them up i suppose.

In the last few years i have really found the value in not only giving sometime up but also taking something on. I have attempted to wake up an extra hour early to pray, i have attempted to read extra scripture, to work out or eat healthy and this year we are trying another something.

The bottom line is that Lent has been water for my thirsty soul. It’s been a journey of taking away or adding on in an effort to clear space in my mind and heart to draw close to the Lord, it’s been a journey of entering into the sufferings of Jesus (if only in small ways) so that, though it is friday, i can celebrate on Sunday and in the sharing of His suffering i might somehow participate in his resurrection. ??It’s all about resurrection. ?But as we will talk about, Some things have to die in order for other things to live!

So welcome to this Lenten journey.
I made this little calendar as a visual aid for our journey toward resurrection! It always helps me when i can see things.

So as i’m saying, this is a journey of discovery by addition, subtraction, and introspection. I hope you will join us!

The Sunday on the Calendar are specially marked because some people take Sundays off, they Sundays to indulge a little, to celebrate the resurrection as we always do even though we are in the middle of the desert of Lent.
I’m hard core so, or something, so i don’t usually take off Sundays but we’ll see. This year will be a though one!

I look forward to journeying with you!

Grace and peace
erik

So tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. I always wondered where they got all those ashes, a couple years ago someone finally told, they burn the palm branches from the previous years Palm Sunday service. Maybe i’m stupid and everybody else in the world knew that but i didn’t. My pastor just posted a little youtube video of his burning action… thought i would share.

I guess now the question is, where we mid-westerns get palm tree branches?