LENT: ASH WEDNESDAY 5.3.14

 The LORD is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

For he knows how weak we are;

he remembers we are only dust.

Psalm 103.13-14

We begin our 6 week journey through Lent,

a season to prepare for a deeper experience

of the passion and resurrection of Yeshua Jesus.

With the acknowledgement of and reflection upon our own mortality,

Ash Wednesday worship is the chance for us all to openly acknowledge
our mortality and penitence. 

On Ash Wednesday we are faced with our imperfections. 

We all bear the mark of sin... We all stand guilty before a holy God. 

We all are mortal and will someday experience bodily death. 

Thus we all need a Saviour. 

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And that is the good news we anticipate as we journey toward Easter.

 On Ash Wednesday

We can admit our own mortality.

We can talk openly about the limits of this life. Why?

Because through Christ we have entered into life eternal,

 fullness of life that will not end when our bodies give out.

The emotional result of Ash Wednesday observance isn't depression or gloom,

but gratitude and new energy for living.

When we realize how desperately we need God,

and how God is faithful far beyond our desperation,

we can't help but offer our lives to him in fresh gratitude.

And when we recognize that life doesn't go on forever,

then we find wonder anew to delight in the gifts of each and every day,

and to take none of them for granted... 

Almighty God,
from the dust of the earth you have created us.

May these ashes be for us a sign

of our mortality and penitence,

and a reminder that only by Your gracious gift

are we given eternal life;

through Yeshua Jesus Christ our Saviour.   Amen.

 "You are dust, and to dust you shall return" Gen 3.19.

This sign prepares us to receive

the good news of forgiveness in Christ.

Accomplish in us, O God,

the work of Your Salvation,

That we may show forth Your Glory in the world.

~ May I inspirit you with this final thought ? ~ 

The Grace of God allows us to stare death in the face

so we can live with Awe and Wonder !

Today is a day that grants us permission to think about death

so we can cherish life even more."

Consider living in openness to Wonder
on your Lenten Journey ...

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thankful thursday freebies AND World BOOK DAY! ~

sincere appreciation for every prayer prayed ! 

THANK YOU ~

God's Presence everywhere as we attended the burial yesterday~

receiving news of the passing of our cousin, even as we buried our aunt.

prayers for strength

and Presence of Comforter,

for all the family,
enlarge and continue...

Ps 46.1

"GOD IS our Refuge and Strength, a very present and well-proved help in trouble."

today's gift
your choices of calendars available for free download

a delicous and encouraging cup of tea today at Miss Spenser's

may we be blessed in our gratitude ~

 are you a reader? World Book Day TODAY March 3rd !! 

psalm 107 ...

in choosing to honour the scriptural call

to pray for the peace of jerusalem,

i am deeply moved by this prayersong~

may it call forward our response...

today, i would ask your prayers on behalf of my family

as we journey to honour the life of my father's sister

who has just joined him
 and the saints and angels 

in worship around God's throne...

Thank You xo  ~

may God's Presence be our experienced reality today  ~

in my father's honour ...

the door has closed

i can't pass through

but in God's time

i'll be with you

and in God's grace

i'll face the sorrow

while waiting for that

glad tomorrow ...

in honour of my father, Jacob , who completed his life's journey to Jesus 4 years ago today ...
enjoy every minute Dad !



@sharon