Wednesday, April 13

Scars

Monday, April 11

All Creation Sings

In our recent Sunday morning message about Creation, we discussed how all of creation can lead us in glorifying God. Spend some time with this gallery of photos taken by our own Sandy Tankiewicz and let the images guide you in a time of worship and awe of the beauty the Lord has made.

Friday, April 8

Ron Buchanan

Gratitude

I spent 30 years in a pseudo-Christian church...they did not acknowledge Jesus' deity! In 1982 we heard about a well-researched, controversial, 125 page book, "The Secret Sect," that detailed the group’s recent origin and its history. It took me a whole year to find 1 copy, in the Seattle Central Library. That led me to discover that they had been knowingly lying about many things, the whole time.

Because of this practice of deceit I could no longer remain in their group. But because I'd been isolated within this group since I was 12 years old, it was extremely difficult and painful to break free from it. It was our whole world!

I spent years in therapy and in support groups for help in healing and growing up. It's not possible to mature when others control attendance at and where you go to church, what you wear, how to cut (or not) your hair, what entertainment you can enjoy, whether you can go to Heaven or not.

So, I left and spent 25 years running from church (I still believed in God).

I didn't know what to do about this...it was virtually impossible for me to go to a church. So I turned to acting like others in the world to distance myself. I became skeptical about religion.

Well, about 11 years ago my daughter Lanette asked us to come to an Easter Service, which we did. Basically I followed my grandchildren to Church and then eventually we wound up at New Day Church. And there's where I began to experience something completely different from what I had lived through in the past. I experienced normalcy, true humility, openness, acceptance, friends, The Gospel!

In the fall of 2010 Jeff announced a baptism and I heard a voice (internally) that sort of burst out: "I want to be baptized". ( with tears) I went right up to Jeff and asked if I could.

I have a picture posted by BSF of Jesus walking on the water to rescue His helpless, frightened disciples from the storm. This painting, for me, perfectly represents the One Who has rescued me from my helpless entrapment and storm.

So, abundant gratitude is what I feel and, at this time of year, I also feel the pain of Jesus, the One I love, having had to go to the Cross to rescue me.

Putting this on paper and then sharing this publicly to our Church, has been a very emotional experience and it is all true. But I want you to know that all of this does not matter because now I have Jesus!! And if this could help or encourage anyone in any way, it would be worth the risk for me.

New Day Church will always be a very special place to me!

God Bless!

Wednesday, April 6

Pilate

Almost added to his titles:
Savior of the Savior of the World;
But he washed his hands.
The judge being judged
found no fault;

But they took Him away to be crucified.
Who could know?
Replies were in other mouths,
Truth remained mute in noisy assembly.
At last, truth could not be worded,
it bore an act.

History was impregated.
Pilate asked about truth,
then pronounced sentence,
washed his hands,
and waited
and waited
to see what happened.

Bernard S. Via, Jr.

Reflection

Have you ever let a non-decision be your decision? What was the impact?

What do you do when Christ feels silent in the face of your questions?

Monday, April 4

Kate Henderson

Nourishment

1 Kings 19: 3-8

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.

“I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”

So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God

What has been nourishing for me?

Over the past year, something that has been nourishing for me is finding time to prioritize the things that I love. Spending time with my family is something that has always made me happy, but it wasn’t able to fully nourish me until I made the time (more time than I thought I needed) for it. This past year, I made the decision to switch from going to school in person, to doing it online. I have been able to more effectively balance my school and personal life. Previously, this wasn’t balanced. That created so much stress and pressure  to find time for school and the things I love. It made it so I not only couldn’t, but didn’t want to hang out with friends or family because I was so exhausted. 

Now that I have that time, I have been able to spend more time with my sister who is leaving for college next year. I can drive around with her listening to music and watching sunsets. I can allow time to spend alone, while still having the time for seeing the people I love. And that has truly nourished me. Maybe switching to online work isn’t an option, but I would encourage you to think, ‘how can I change my schedule to diminish unnecessary stress and to prioritize nourishment ?’

 Reflection

What has been draining you lately? 

What has been nourishing you?

Friday, April 1

Julia Corbett

Childlike Joy

Wednesday, March 30

Derek Henderson

So Good to Me

When daylight breaks with morning dew
You are, you are so good to me
When evening comes, the day is through
You are, you are so good to me

Your love is wild, Your promise true
You are, you are so good to me
Your heart is kind In all you do
You are, you are so good to me

How perfect are your ways
How endless is your grace
Forever I will sing your praise
You are, you are so good to me

When blessing come, when life brings pain
You are, you are so good to me
When shadows fall and seasons change
You are, you are so good to me

CHORUS

On heaven's shore, You'll call my name
You are, you are so good to me
A thousand tongues of angels say
You are, you are so good to me

CHORUS

Reflection

Is there a difficult season or circumstance in which you’ve seen God’s goodness?

What is one specific good thing you can thank him for today?

Monday, March 28

Laurine Decker

An Invitation

An invitation to pause in the wonder of our salvation.
This very moment, fresh mercy.

Will you bow in wonder at the foot of the cross?
He died for you.
He died, for you!
He died for me!
This is too great a mystery to fathom.
Yet we behold him.

Will you gaze again at the empty tomb?
He conquered death.
He bore your sin.
He bears your weakness.
This is too wonderful a mystery to behold.
Yet, He says we are one with Him.

Oh Holy Spirit within,
the same Spirit that raised our Jesus,
Guide us into all truth
as we look back to the cross
and again wonder at HIs sacrifice.
Let us receive and celebrate anew
our redemption and victory in Jesus.

I, Laurine Decker, was lost, now I am found.
I was enslaved to judgment, pride, control, addiction, performance and mental distress.
But when I am weak HE is strong. If he is not bigger than me, I have no hope.
BUT, indeed he is the GOD of the IMPOSSIBILE. This HOPE does not disappoint.
I bow again before your throne and say YES Lord! Your will be done.

In the Garden of Gethsemane
Jesus admonished his disciples to watch and pray
Even as he pleaded
with his Father and sweat drops of blood.
”My Father, if this cannot pass
unless I drink it, your will be done.”

How Jesus loves us.

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.
The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”

Will you watch and pray with me today?

Friday, March 25

Zoe Forbes

Reflection

What practices help you stay connected to Jesus the Vine?

What other spiritual lessons can we learn from trees?

Wednesday, May 23

Laina Henderson

Rebel Heart

Lord I offer up this rebel heart
So stubborn and so restless from the start
I don't wanna fight You anymore
So take this rebel heart and make it Yours

Father I no longer wanna run
You've broken my resistance with Your love
And drowned it underneath the crimson spill
So bend this rebel heart into Your will

I give it over to YouRebel Heart

I give it over to You
Your love is like an arrow, straight and true
And now this rebel heart belongs to You

Help me lay the renegade to rest
Turn the stone inside me back to flesh
And hold me till my best defenses fall
And watch this rebel heart surrender all

I give it over to You
I give it over to You
Your love is like an arrow, straight and true
And now this rebel heart belongs to You

Oh take my life and let it be Yours
Oh take my life and let it be Yours
Oh take my life and let it be Yours
Oh take my life and let it be Yours

I give it over to You
I give it over to You
Your love is like an arrow, straight and true
And now this rebel heart belongs to You
Now this rebel heart belongs to You
Now this rebel heart belongs to You

Reflection

What word or phrase in this song stood out to you? 

What are the parts of your life that you need to entrust to God now?

Monday, March 21

Choosing a Grateful Obedience

Karin Peabody

A new article came out recently from the Barna Group.  The title was “Pastor’s Credibility is in Question – Even Among Pastors.”  I wasn’t surprised.  We’ve seen a lot in the last couple of years.  But it reminded me of a passage of scripture that I had read recently.

“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead, he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.” (Mark 1:40-45)

I always thought this was strange.  Wasn’t it a good thing that the healed man went and told people about Jesus?  I mean, wasn’t he doing what we’re supposed to be doing now?  

It was clear that Jesus had good reasons for this newly healed man to go to the priest - obeying Moses’ command and giving Jesus more freedom to move around town made sense. So did the man miss out on something by not going?  Did the priest?

At some point this man had been to the priests before. On a tragic day, when none of his prayers were answered, the priest had uttered the wretched word “unclean” over him.  I cannot imagine the goodbyes that had to be said to family and friends – the separation– the trauma of it all. 

What if Jesus knew that by skipping the return to the temple, this man missed out on an important part of his internal healing?  He missed out on hearing the Priest joyfully tell him “You are clean!” The word reversed forever- undone by the one who pronounced it in the first place.  Shame removed and a thanks offering given – glory to God. Clean hands wiping away tears on clean skin.

Or maybe not. 

But I bet it would have helped the priest. 

Can you imagine having to pronounce people unclean?  Can you imagine how terrible the responsibility to protect a community? The anguish of casting someone out? Can you imagine how, over time, you would have to armor up? How you would have to grow numb to some of it because it was just too relentless and hard to carry the weight of responsibility?

I wonder what that priest would have done should the man have come back healed by Jesus – clean.  Death reversed. Unheard of.

Maybe it would have softened his heart.  Maybe he would have been overjoyed. Maybe he could have taken off some of the heavy emotional armor.  Maybe he would have given his own thanks offering. Glory to God. Altar-burned hands wiping away tears from weathered skin.  And maybe it would have helped him be a credible priest again. 

Maybe. 

Jesus have mercy on those burned by religion; people and pastors and priests.  All of us needing reversal of shame.  All of us needing to be called clean.  All of us needing the mechanics of gratitude to warm our cold love again. 

Reflection 

Who has been part of your journey that you could encourage with your testimony?

What word of healing would you most like to hear from Christ right now?

Friday, March 18

He Was Here

(Scott Krippayne / Kyle Matthews) 

He was here
He was here

As gentle as an infant
As trusting and as innocent
As a child
Full of life
He was here 

He was here
He was here
A human voice to teach us
A healing hand to reach us
Where we are
Come so far
He was here 

He was here
In our suffering, in our loss
He was here
He was carrying our cross
He was real
He could feel
He was here

He is here
He is here
He is the least among us
Almighty God above us
He is love
Let us love
He is here
He is here
In our suffering, in our loss
He is here
He is carrying our cross
He is real
He can feel
He is here
Have no fear

He is here

 Reflection

How does it make you feel to know that Jesus is right here, right now?

At what times of your day do you most need to remember that Jesus is right there with you and why?

Wednesday, March 16

Spoon Lessons

Tara Lee

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

 “There is a certain pride that will give and give,
but to come and receive is another thing.”

Oswald Chambers

There is a text called the Parable of the Long Spoons that shows two similar scenes - both involve a table that is full of wonderful food, surrounded by people with long spoons. In one scene, the people around the table, though surrounded by food, are starving as they try to feed themselves with spoons that are too long to reach their mouths. This is hell. In the other scene, the people are chatting, laughing and enjoying a meal as they use their long spoons to feed each other. This is heaven.

Prior to November of 2021, I had spent 46 years trying to feed myself with a long spoon. I relied on independent behaviors because they felt safe and I felt in control. I did focus a lot on giving and serving, like many Christians - volunteering and working in a service field. However, receiving well was difficult because I honestly didn’t feel I was worthy.

November began a journey of uncertainty as my health took a turn and my comfortable independent spirit was swiftly stripped away. A “concerning” CT scan started a series of appointments and tests where it soon became apparent that oncologists and pathologists were offering educated guesses at something rare. I went from hiking 6 miles in mid-October to barely making it up and down the stairs in my house by the end of November.

I was sent for test after test that came back without clear answers. Scary words like “cancer”, “chemo” and “widespread” were floated in exam rooms, followed by phrases like “but we don’t know what it is” and “the test didn’t really tell us anything”. What wasn’t ambiguous was what I felt in my body as the disease was growing exponentially, I was unable to get the nutrition I needed and I required major surgery as soon as possible. Surgery did happen (God bless my surgeons - they really did take good care of me) and with the surgery came the granddaddy of all biopsies that finally offered a definitive diagnosis, treatment plan, and hopeful outcome.

I struggle to adequately put into words the way I felt God’s presence during this ordeal. As I dealt with grief and pain, uncertainty, contemplated my mortality, heard ominous words as the doctors worked to diagnose, recovered from a major abdominal surgery - I had to mentally come to grips with the possibility that I may not be around long - that I might not see my teenage children even reach adulthood. In the midst of the worst of it, I became acutely aware, paradoxically, of God’s loving presence.

Some friends gave me a wall sign I hung above my bedroom mirror that I could see from bed that says “I got you - Jesus” and somehow I didn’t have to hope or wish for trust in this - in the core of my soul I believed that Jesus really did. In the absence of the physical parts that were removed from my body from surgery, I envisioned God pouring love into those empty and traumatized spaces. Abundantly, my family and I were literally and metaphorically fed from long spoons by acts of service and love by so many people. I experienced a new clarity around what God’s love means, how we can be God’s hands and feet, and what heaven on earth entails.

Receiving became an avenue where God filled me with something I didn’t know I needed and gave my soul healing I never expected.

Reflection

What are the parts of your life where you might need to ask for help or receive more?

Who are the people who have been the hands of Jesus for you when you were struggling?

Monday, March 14

A Life Well-Lived, A Death Well-Died

Dean R. Owen

As we all recognize, Lent is a season during which Christians reflect on the ministry – and persecution and death – of Jesus leading up to the greatest Christian celebration: Easter and His resurrection.

How do Christians think about death? How should Christians think about death?

How can we as Christians emulate Jesus not just in how we live, but how we die? We often say when a friend or loved one dies, “He (or she) lived a great life?”

But what does it mean to die a great death? Jesus knew when, where, and how he was going to die.

He prepared for death, giving guidance and wisdom to those who were near to Him. And those He loved.

The Book of John gives us three powerful examples of such preparation. In Chapter 13, we are with Him in the upper room for the Passover meal. We learn that Jesus had discerned from the Father that his time on earth was limited. And that he wanted to demonstrate his servanthood to his disciples, with the hope – maybe the expectation – that they too would demonstrate servanthood to others after his death.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so, he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Servanthood at its greatest.

Later in Chapter 15 of John, Jesus prepares his disciples with words and underscores His love for them and His love of the Father. That loving others is not optional.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.    You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”

And in Chapter 19, while hanging on the cross, He looked down on his mother and, most scholars believe, the disciple right there with her was John. He wanted to ease his mother’s suffering. Rather than watching her son being executed. He directed John to care for her.

When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, thy son!” After that, he said to the disciple, “Son, behold, thy mother!” And from that hour, that disciple took her unto his own home. (John 19:26-27).

Dying well means to remember God’s goodness. His presence in your journey. Trusting those things to guide you will also guide you into the unknown of death. It also means speaking blessings to your loved ones. Choosing love right up to the end. Being brave even when you are afraid. Showing such bravery to your loved ones, because they are going to follow you someday.

For Christians, a death well died can be the embodiment of God who defeated death.

Reflection

Can you think of a person who showed you what it means to love others even in the face of death or other hard circumstances? (It could be a family member, a friend or a historical figure). 

What circumstances make it hard for you to love those around you? 

Friday, March 11

The Hiddenness of Lent

Linnea Coffey

I chose these verses from a chapel that George Fox University had about Lent. They stood out to me because in reflecting on past Lent seasons, I feel I chose to give up things that I would tell others I had given up to “prove how spiritual I was.”

Now, as I give things up for Lent, I’ve chosen things that typically distract me from my relationship with God. This change in mindset has helped me utilize the tradition in this time of year to focus on that relationship.

Wednesday, March 9

Am I Worth It?

Becky Downey

Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.

Isaiah 43:4 (ESV)

For the last six years I’ve been working at Museum of Glass. I’ve learned a lot about the artistic process, and about worthiness in glassmaking. It can take hours to create a piece of glass art in a Hot Shop. There is the gathering of the glass from a 2100-degree furnace, and then the blowing, the shaping, and the careful cooling in an annealing oven, which in some cases can take several days. For each creation, the artist decides if the piece is worthy enough to be sold in a gallery or displayed in a museum.

Ultimately, however, it is the buyer that chooses. Everyone likes to participate in judging the worthiness of others, and in glassmaking, they do so with their wallets.

In the video below is the work of Lino Tagliapietra, considered the world’s greatest living glassblower. Every piece that comes off his pipe is more than $100,000.

We, as children of a loving Father, are created by the spark of His Holiness, and then molded and shaped in our mother’s womb. The womb is an annealing oven of sorts where we are tempered and toughened-up for the life He has ordained for us. The joyous news is that we were already found worthy even before our first breath. The price Jesus paid for us with His own Life, Death, and Resurrection is beyond any amount paid in our gallery of human experience. 

Lenten season is the time when most of us consider our own worthiness. Sometimes, we choose to add to or take away things before Easter with the mistaken idea that in doing so, God might find us a little more worthy. After all, James reminds us that “Faith without works is dead.” 

Of all the challenges we face in life—accepting our worthiness in Christ—is the biggest lift. Consider those who live on the streets. In truth, many do not feel worthy of a roof over their heads. Satan has fed them the lie that they are not even worth a penny for a sparrow. They must live as the birds, or wait on the crumbs to fall from the plates of others.

Because you are precious in the Lord’s eyes, He has created you in His own image—that of Jesus Christ—so you might through His reflection, discover you are truly worthy of the blood He shed to redeem you. Today our Father says, “I love you. I give My Son in return for you. I exchange Jesus Christ for your life.” How amazing, how beautiful, how merciful is this God Who has chosen us and deemed us so worthy that His own Son should die and rise again for us? Hallelujah!

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)

Monday, March 7

WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

Kids from New Day contribute their thoughts via art in this Lent Gallery.

Friday, March 4

Thoughts on Observing Lent

Claire Clark

Though not a practice in many modern churches, Lent is a season of intentional “rooting” of ourselves in the person of Christ as we prepare ourselves for the Good News of Easter and reconciliation with God and man, made possible through Jesus’ death on the cross. 

The purpose or goal of Lent has oft been understood to be self-denial, but that leaves a grossly incomplete picture. The focus of Lent is transformation and growth. Lent, in fact, means “Springtime,” that period where the smallest and weakest of seeds bursts forth through transformation into the new life to which it has been called. Like the seedlings of spring, we too enter into the Lenten season for the purpose of spiritual growth and transformation. Self-denial is but one tool of many by which we may accomplish such growth. Mindfulness and an intentional awareness of the person of Christ and of the suffering and needs of others are also important traditions within the season of Lent.

For the last several years, I have been collecting a list of potential Lenten disciplines, fasts, and “feasts.” I hope this list inspires you to think outside the box as you consider how you might intentionally root yourself to Christ this Lenten season.

Practical Ways to Enter In

1. Traditionally, Christians abstained from eating meat during Lent, so consider joining millions of Christians around the world in this fast. It’s a great way to feel connected to the historical, worldwide church and to become more mindful about the food you eat. Donate the money you saved to an organization that helps care for the poor.

2. Pray the offices for 40 days. The Daily Office, or the Divine Hours, consists of four times of prayer each day: morning prayers (Matins/Laudes), midday prayers (Sext), evening prayers (Vespers), nighttime prayers (Compline). If it’s your first time praying the hours, consider using Phyllis Tickle’s The Divine Hours, Pocket Edition.

3. Go on a mini pilgrimage. Set aside a day (or even a weekend) during Lent to visit a nearby monastery or an outdoor place of beauty. Many monasteries welcome overnight guests and allow them to participate in prayers and meals. Or, visit a church that has a labyrinth and walk the labyrinth, or a church that has a unique work of art you have always wanted to see. Choose a destination that has meaning to you in your spiritual journey and make a day or a weekend of it, and focus on an experience that will engage all of your senses.

4. Fully observe the Sabbath for Lent, from sundown on Friday through Saturday.

5. Commit to memorizing a significant portion of Scripture, like the Sermon on the Mount, Isaiah 58, 1 John 4, Philippians 2, or another of your choosing.

6. Give away 40 things you don’t need. Go through your closet, book & DVD collections, etc and select someone meaningful to give each item to.

7. Fast from using your credit or debit card (ie: pay in cold, hard cash). Use this activity to focus and meditate on stewardship and generosity.

8. Make a list of 40 characteristics of God and spend time meditating on one each day.

9. Fast from Facebook. Or TV. Or all electronics. Or whatever it is that claims your time.

10. Be intentional about how you order your time. Do not engage in social media before you spend time with God.

11. Fast from self-depreciating criticism. Focus instead of who God created you to be. Make a list 40 Gospel Affirmations about yourself (eg: What does grace say I am? Who does Jesus say I am? What is *very good* about God's handiwork in me?), and meditate on one each day.

12. Keep a prayer journal or a “Listening to God” journal for 40 days.

13. Write 40 Lenten Love Letters to people who have had a big impact on your life. Include a letter to yourself.

14. Wear black for the entire Lenten season, as a symbol of grief over Christ’s death and in solidarity with those suffering worldwide.

15. Commit to 40 days of praying for your enemies or someone who has hurt you—that they will be blessed, that they will find health and peace and grace, that they will come to know Jesus or experience the love of Christ more fully.

16. Read "A Place at the Table: 40 Days of Solidarity with the Poor" by Chris Seay. Consider eating like the poor of the world (which means a lot of rice and beans.)

17. Give up complaining and all negative talk for 40 days (then keep going!)

18. Keep a daily Thankful Journal.

19. Commit to 40 days of praying for revival… in your own heart, at New Day, in the Church at large, in our country, and in the world.

20. Practice the discipline of fasting. There are many different ways to try this. Fast from a meal each day, or start with a meal once a week (eg: lunch each Monday). Or try fasting for 24 hours once a week. Or fast during daylight hours several days a week. Christians traditionally fasted on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

21. Make water your only beverage for 40 days. Reflect on the many in the world who don’t have access to clean water, and donate to an organization seeking to provide clean water to those in need. Some good options: World Vision, Bloodwater Mission, The Last Well.

22. Read the New Testament.

23. Begin each day with the discipline of quietness. Pray the “Jesus Creed” each morning, then spend time in reflection and listen to where God might lead your heart. (JESUS CREED: Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.)

24. Read the Sermon on the Mount Daily.

Wednesday, March 2

BLESSING THE DUST

Jan Richardson

All those days
you felt like dust,
like dirt,
as if all you had to do
was turn your face
toward the wind
and be scattered
to the four corners

or swept away
by the smallest breath
as insubstantial—

did you not know
what the Holy One
can do with dust?

This is the day
we freely say
we are scorched.

This is the hour
we are marked
by what has made it
through the burning.

This is the moment
we ask for the blessing
that lives within
the ancient ashes,
that makes its home
inside the soil of
this sacred earth.

So let us be marked
not for sorrow.
And let us be marked
not for shame.
Let us be marked
not for false humility
or for thinking
we are less
than we are

but for claiming
what God can do
within the dust,
within the dirt,
within the stuff
of which the world
is made
and the stars that blaze
in our bones
and the galaxies that spiral
inside the smudge
we bear.

Reflection

What lines from the poem stood out to you?

What life experiences or emotions does that section evoke in you?

Drive-Thru Ashes

Drew Clark

This year I’ll be observing Ash Wednesday.

To be honest, I’ve only done it once or twice. I didn’t grow up with Ash Wednesday, didn’t marry into it, and we don’t do it now – not as a church, anyway. It just hasn’t been on the menu. I’ve seen it more since Claire’s been drawn to it in recent years. But in my churches, we haven’t had much of a calendar, don’t dwell too much with Lent as a season, and don’t like to use much language that was cooked up by someone else. Other than the Bible, of course.

During the pandemic I’ve seen ads for drive-thru ashes, for folks looking to observe Ash Wednesday as the start of Lent. It’s literally a drive-thru. You wait a few minutes, inching forward, roll down the windows of your Honda Odyssey, and then a priest marks a messy cross on your forehead, and you go about your day with a smudge. 

This year I thought, that’s exactly right.

All of what we see is a drive-thru. Everything visible. Nothing lasts. No body, no tree, not building. That we live and breathe is pure miracle, but soon we’re headed back to the dust we’re built from. Soon! Every last distraction in our lives whispers that we can put off what’s most important for the perishable pleasures of I, me, mine that are right in front of us. And that’s as wrong as anything can be.

That’s what the ashes mean to me this year. Stop pretending. Stop hiding. Stop distracting. Jesus taught us not to be showy with our faith—he wasn’t much for externals—but the smudge isn’t that. I’m a mess of dust, a dying thing foremost, hopeful only in this: to be joined with Jesus in his death and joined with him in his resurrection. I’ll wear that.

Reflection

The good news of Ash Wednesday is that “You, beloved (insert your name here), are dust and to dust you shall return." In other words, you are not God and not ultimately in charge... The limits you live within are a challenge but also a gift.

In what areas of your life does this statement sound like good news to you today?