Here is a thoughtful quote from a farm girl who is passionate about design–Ericka Michelle. I appreciated it.
“During the season of Lent which begins today, we renew our commitment to the path of conversion, making more room for God in our lives.” -Pope Benedict XVI
I found this quote and couldn’t help but share it on this Ash Wednesday!
Happy Lent!
Exodus 16:15-19 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat. This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Gather as much of it as each of you needs, an omer to a person according to the number of persons, all providing for those in their own tents.’” The Israelites did so, some gathering more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, those who gathered much had nothing over, and those who gathered little had no shortage; they gathered as much as each of them needed. And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over until morning.”
Here By Habit
I was here by habit, and prayed by habit,
and lost my neighbor because I forgot to look.
And I gathered my manna each day,
and there was ever enough,
but still, without thought, I sought to save it.
Today, God guided me another way,
but of my habit,
I was still going south to meet my guests.
North was the direction I was sent,
but I didn’t notice,
my feet automatically ambling south.
Grace was with me yesterday and Sunday,
but did I miss it today as I went south?
What new possibilities did I miss?
Little ones with busted boots and frayed mittens,
and sad faces, tummies growling,
waited for me,
but I went my usual way.
What did I miss today?
Tomorrow I am going west. I listened to the call.
But tomorrow I will listen to be sure.
Your mercies, Lord, are new each day.
(c) Tom Bolton, February 6, 2013, Milwaukee
A good leader has faith, applies that faith as the Lord guides, has followers that buy into a plan, and surrounds themselves with good team members.
David had proven that he was a great leader as the ruler of Hebron. In 1 Chronicles 11, the people made David king. God was with David and David ascribed success to the Lord; devoting all his talents to the Him. As a leader, David knew the importance of
surrounding himself with great people that were strong, courageous, and mighty.
Mark Shields has been leading us through 1 Chronicles recently. I just want to give a shout-out to his blog, coming to us from Waco First UMC.
The full blog is here: http://thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/bringing-a-team-together/
Last Words
Hallelujiah! Glory Hallelujiah!
This is so great today–today I see it.
The righteous man, that old sinner who
started listening to God,
Now he is blessed!
He is blessed in beautiful ways.
It is God who blessed him,
and his kin are blessed too–
Blessed through him–by God!
He wrote his obituary, and its a good one.
God is in it. God wrote it. God loves it.
He isn’t afraid of being bad news.
He’s good news.
God is in him, and that is the news.
There are poor and sick folks who recall him,
Because he’s God’s man,
The righteous man lives on,
He’s God’s man,
and his work endures.
His Word endures–in the righteous man.
(C) Feb 9, 2012 Thomas Bolton, West Allis
About 14 years ago, I started writing poetry in response to scripture. My first poem in 1998, after a 30 year break from poetry, was my interpretation of Psalm 112. I called it The Righteous Man. It started me on a new path of writing. Since then, I have often included a fifteen minute poetry exercise for my adult classes. Last year, I had my group in Disciple Bible Study write on Psalm 112. After some protests, they did a great job.
The poem above is my effort at that exercise on Psalm 112 in 2012. I liked the one I wrote in 1998 better, and I need to dig that out and post it here. It is in one of my filing boxes, but I have to find the right box!
Reflecting on Matt 7: 1-13 and Luke 9: 28-36
Passing Through the Cloud
I too hiked up that mountain, following the master,
and I stayed just outside of that thick cloud for too long.
I listened and I was assured.
The father told me to listen.
[Some days it is hard to just listen.
I can’t listen;
words come out of my own mouth too fast.]
Eight years I journeyed from the first words,
and I rejoiced at the mountain.
Here I am Lord; speak only to me.
In the dazzling white, I came to listen.
Moses and Elijah guide me some ways,
But Jesus speaks when I am awake.
Some days I am so afraid in the cloud.
Still, let me enter the cloud each day.
I stay silent and listen.
Let me be prepared. Teach me lord.
I would still be prepared to tell the story!
Here on this Holy ground, I learn,
I listen.
For these moments alone with Jesus, I yearn
to hear him clearly.
On holy ground, I prepare to listen,
I prepare as a disciple.
Some days, I remember to keep silent,
to listen,
preparing to speak his lessons.
On the mountain paths, I become
aware,
gazing on mountain laurel, pink and white,
and on blue-green mosses.
I squint my eyes, and I listen.
I listen.
Today we, disciples, listen,
and we prepare for new Easters,
On that mountain, I listen, prepare.
(c) Tom Bolton, February 2, 2013, West Allis
Our Confirmation Class at West Allis First United Methodist Church has been preparing to lead worship this week, with Luke’s text on the transfiguration. This has led me to think some about the words these past few weeks.
I love the words from our Confirmands that were recorded their first time through the Scripture as they started to prepare the lesson. Some of their initial comments became this prayer:
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks and praise for the good news we receive in this Gospel account: that we are invited to join Jesus on holy ground; that we see your glory in Jesus; that we receive direction from you in the cloud; that you speak; that when everyone else is gone, Jesus remains and gives us hope. Meet us in our worship, that all we are and do and speak in faithfulness to Jesus will be to your glory. Amen.
I’m looking forward to worship on Sunday with our Confirmands.
Hopeful 