JOY

Joy is the echo of God's life in us.

-Columba of Iona

When We Hurt

When tragedy strikes, when trouble comes, when life disappoints us, we stand at the crossroads between hope and despair, torn and hurting.

Despair cements us in the present. Hope sends us dancing around dark corners trusting in a tomorrow we cannot see because of the multiple pasts of life which we cannot forget.

- Joan D. Chittister
Hope: It’s More Than Wishful Thinking

SPRING BLESSINGS

Remember Five Simple Rules to Being Happy:

1- Free your heart from hatred - forgive

2- Free your mind from worries - most never happen

3- Live simply and appreciate what you have

4- Give more

5- Expect less

Easter

Hallelujah! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!Where will you see him risen? This Sunday we celebrate the awe and wonder of the Easter miracle. We admire the lilies, drink in the sounds of triumphant brass instruments and consider the mystery of new life. We pray and give thanks. We feast with family and friends. But Easter is about more than one Sunday a year. Our Easter celebrations are good and right, and they inspire our faith. But will you stand on your toes, or bend over low, like Peter, to find the Risen Christ? Will you look for him alive in the unexpected, forgotten places of this world? Will you climb higher than you think you can, to find him offering a new way of living to those who have too much? Will you prostrate yourself on hands and knees, to find him among the lowly and marginalized? After all, Jesus was not where the disciples expected him to be that early morning. Will you keep your eyes open for the One who offers such astounding grace, to all, in such unexpected, unprecedented ways? Mary Magdalene unexpectedly said, “I have seen the Lord!” May you truly see the Risen Christ anew this Easter. -Rev. Meredith Vanderminden Fellowship Reflections,  www.umfellowship.org

Lenten Prayers

The new creations within ourselves begins when God hovers over the darkness and chaos of our own lives. There is no other way. -Ben Alex God's Politics Editor, Sojourners Magazine

Lenten Prayer

Prayer is not primarily saying words or thinking thoughts.  It is, rather, a stance.  It’s a way of living in the Presence.  It is, further, a way of living in awareness of the Presence, even enjoying the Presence.  The full contemplative is not just aware of the Presence, but trusts, allows, and delights in it.”

Richard Rohr, as quoted in A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God

Lenten Prayer

 When God takes something from your  grasp, he's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.  Remember. "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you." 
Pray:  'God our Father, walk through my house and take away all my worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family in your name, Amen.'  Ask yourself "Does God come first in my life?"