Marked For the Journey

Today is Ash Wednesday. I am not prepared for my cleansing. I've plunged head first into this journey pulled down by the demands of living beyond God's intentions for me. So though I am not prepared, I am grateful that today I mark the journey. Today as my forehead is sealed in ash I will be released from my own demands on my life and begin the process of welcoming God again into a life eager for grace and mercy.

Can we ever prepare for cleansing? What does that look like? For me it was the total disregard for the upcoming season as far as my personal involvement. Sure I had purchased reflection materials, but personalizing the journey was not considered until late last night. That's why I'm glad we have the Lenten Season. It forces me to stop spinning, to stop the rollercoaster.

Today I will be marked for the Journey. I was not prepared. Now I am. Grateful for this opportunity to refresh my spirit, I gladly allow ash to mark me for the world to see, to remind me that no matter what I intend, if it is not in and though God it is useless.

Breaking Through the Clouds

Clouds remind me of God, fluffy comfortable drifting dark harsh, yet always moving. There is something in the clouds that is needed. And sometimes while floating around I want to stay. But today I am being called to break through. I have been doing many things for the good of others. Sure there have been so selfish moments, but I haven't lost what God has asked of me. Funny thing though, while I was in the clouds doing what God asked yesterday, I wasn't doing what he asked today. See, yesterday's task is comfortable, easier to do since I've been doing it awhile. However, God has called me to do something new. God didn't say forget the old, but move into the new. I for my part haven't fully made the sacrifice til now. Today I break through the clouds to do the new. Today I make the sacrifice and step fully into the new task God has called me to do. Today.

Christmas 2010

As I prepared for Christmas this year I was struck by my own selfishness. Because I was so concerned about writing (not writing) my thesis-project, I failed to enter Advent and now Christmas in the correct posture: humble and in awe of God. I was mechanical in my shopping and most times down right irritable. I wouldn't let my family reach me beneath the surface of my gruff exterior. At least not until I attended Midnight Mass. There Christ the child melted my concerns and anxiety. There I came face to face with Emmanuel - God with Us. God, with me even in my selfishness. God with me even in my abruptness with others. God with me. God with me. God with me. Oh Emmanuel, thank you for dwelling among us to transform us; to transform me. And thank you for a brother and his encouraging words. Peace again in my heart and mind.

The Cost of Readiness

I'm in the midst of helping people understand the cost of readiness.  To obtain anything costs. The concept is easy to understand when things turn out as we want them to, yet when the going gets a little rough, well we often fail to see the purpose of being prepared. I was listening to TD Jakes expound upon the cost of waiting on.....and I realized that the issue is we don't like to get ready for something and then have to wait or be told that we can't have it.  We think our time has been wasted.  And too many wasted efforts can result in doing nothing.

Today, I want to call us back to a state of readiness. I want us to pay up, using cash, not credit, to prepare ourselves for what Christ will do in and through us. For each of us the cost is different. Depending on where you are now, your cost may be to clean up the mess you're in both physically and emotionally.  You many have to clear away the clutter of procrastination.  Or you may have to get rid of the blanket of despair. Whatever it is, there is a cost involved.  An exposure happens.  Change must take place to position oneself for Christ.

What do you need to pay the cost of readiness?

Ready or Not!

I read a reflection today by Cackie Upchurch about preparing for Advent.  She began her reflection with "Ready or not, here I come!" What struck me most was her focus on "Ready or not." "Ready or not, God will act." she states. So true. No matter how I'm messing things up, no matter how confused I get, no matter how discouraged I become, God will act.  The outcome of God's actions depends on me.  See, I can be ready to receive God's action in my life when I've listen and acted on the things He has said previously.  When I'm talking and listening to God on a regular basis, I know how to be ready.  Some may say that they aren't sure of God's voice; that they don't know what they should do. Well for those Christians that are God-deaf, I would encourage you to read the Bible.  The living WORD of God will usher into your life the Holy Spirit in a way that helps you overcome your God-deafness.  That powerful WORD breaks through nonsense.  God's WORD helps you learn to hear God's personal voice for you.  Then when you hear God's voice you learn how to get ready.

Today begins our NEW Church year.  Advent helps us refocus our attention on God, to become ready for Her to act in our lives.  Yet as Cackie told us, "Ready or not, God will act." I think it's better to be ready than to be left scrambling around trying to get it together.

Get ready for Christ to bless you. Position yourself to receive the gifts. Open not only your hands, open your mind and your heart. If not, you might be left.