Prayer: The Gate

Photo by Michal Marcol

The journey begins.  The week that changed the world as we know it starts today.  It is the journey to the cross. 

Palm Sunday is a celebration.   We look from our perspective today, and 2000 years ago Jesus rode into Jerusalem.   People laid down their cloaks, and palm branches and celebrated the spirit of God made known to us.  We sing songs.  We rejoice.

There was great excitement as Jesus entered the city.  People crowded around and watched and cried out “Hosanna”.  Some understood the Messiah had come without a doubt.  Some had heard rumors, some were curious, some were skeptics.  No one knew that day what would happen in a week. 

It is a different perspective for us today, as we know what is in store. We know there will be trials, betrayal, suffering, pain, and death.  There will be a resurrection.

My friend and teacher Rev. Randy Jessen asks, “Would you lay down your cloak?  What would you lay down?  Would you go back later and retrieve what you had laid down?”   

With joy we come before the most Holy God.  Let us lay down our pain and suffering.  Let us release our anger and heavy burdens.  Let us keep moving forward with you Father God, so that we do not return to retrieve those things we laid down and need to leave behind.  Let us know the spirit of God.  Let us sing new songs to you and celebrate.  The celebration of our blessing of redemption is a week away.  Help us find comfort, truth and grace.  Amen.

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father, As we gather together this year to celebrate the holidays, we ask your blessings on the relationships we have with others.  Help us let go of the stress and hold onto the joy of being with our friends and our families. 

We may not all think alike, or believe the same things.  We may hold different values.  We may have old resentments and anger in relationships.  Help us let go of our anger.  Help us find love and acceptance for those we will spend time with.  Let us find common ground.  Let us bring out the best in each other during this holy and sacred time. 

Let there be peace and glad tidings across the entire world.  Thank your for hearing this prayer.  Thank your for sending your son.  Amen

from freedigitalphotos.com

It is the traditions and time spent together that make the holidays special.  As our lives transition and change, so do some of the Christmas activities. 

We try to make Christmas magical for children.  Those Christmas expectations stay with us for a long time.  Some of the memories of childhood stay with us forever. 

I remember driving 500 or 600 miles to my grandparents house.  My brother and I were small (I was 7 and he was 2). We were cuddled up in a blanket in the back of an early 1950’s model car driving through the heartland of America after my dad got off work on Christmas eve.  (more…)

I have been thinking about Advent and Christmas and how it is such a powerful symbol for us in terms of reconciliation.  God sent his only son, as a tiny baby to reconcile us to him.  He sent a baby to save the world.  My friend Michael David Severson was writing about this the other day and I told him how honored I would be to post his thoughts as a guest on this site.   Enjoy.  Thank you Michael for joining us today.  What a blessing to have you here!!!

By Michael David S. Severson

 Reconciliation – A much-needed work of healing for today

Jesus declared that it was impossible for offenses not to come. Jesus experienced this in the course of His ministry, and most painfully in the final hours of His life. His ultimate example of how we should respond to offenses can be found among the final words He spoke as His battered, bleeding and abused body hung nailed to a cruel cross:

“Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing!” (more…)

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

We are in the time of expectant waiting, for the Christian church.  Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent.  It is a time of preparation as we wait to celebrate the birth of the Messiah.

I love the advent season.  Probably it is the purple candles.  It is a dark time of year with the winter solstice at hand.  But the light of the world is on the way.

“Father God, we are grateful for the rich and wonderful blessings in all our lives.  We are grateful you sent your son to save the world.  Let us prepare to celebrate with generosity toward our fellow man.  Help us keep love and joy in our hearts this season and be a blessing to everyone we know and see.  Thank you for sending the light to the world.  Amen”

The Memorial Day holiday weekend is at hand.  Many of us will begin by this afternoon to celebrate three or four glorious days off.  The purpose of the holiday is to remember and honor those who have died in service to others, specifically military service.  Some take the holiday to remember family and friends who have passed away. 

We make salad and grill something over an open fire. We will drink beer, ice tea and lemonade.  Mostly we enjoy family and friends.  In Colorado, many of us head for the mountains to join tens of thousands of our best friends in an attempt to escape civilization and experience the peacefulness of nature.

For what ever activity you choose for the weekend, my prayer is this:

Father God, I pray travel mercies for those who plan an adventure.  Let there be enjoyment, grace and beautiful memories shared with family and friends for all over the next few days.  Let us practice moderation in all things and find ourselves refreshed and renewed at the conclusion of this long weekend.  Amen