SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2012

Saturated with the Word

Scripture:  How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11

All of our cultures share love for the kitchen.  God’s diversity is showcased in all of our distinct cuisines.  In the Puerto Rican kitchen each spice: cilantro, garlic, onions and others are mixed together for the perfect flavor.  The seasoning process is not done in haste, but like my 'abuelita' taught me (grandmother), "it takes time to prepare the meat with delicacy".

 

The word of God assumes this process in an even more profound way.  As we journey through the scriptures, God's truth marinates in our spirits like well-seasoned meat.  When we encounter the storms of life, we must listen for that still small parental voice within us.  Sometimes we feel alone and it is difficult to know if God is speaking to us as we navigate the complex realities of our lives.  May we find assurance in the inspired word of God.  May God's words become treasure within us that shines brighter than the mid-day sun!  No storm and no disappointment will be able to take it away because we are the treasure!

Prayer:  Dear God, may your word dwell in my heart richly and may it safe guard me throughout this day.  Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2012

God Writes

Scripture:  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jeremiah 31:33

Writing and journaling has become an important practice for me.  Through writing, I express my deepest thoughts, feelings and questions.  I have discovered the gift of writing as a practice of worship.  Every word and every sentence expresses to God where I am honestly.  God understands the power of writing.  God goes beyond paper and ink to the heart of the matter.  God writes on our hearts the reality of salvation through Jesus Christ.  God writes on our hearts and infuses our souls with compassion for others.  God is the master writer of broken hearts, disillusioned hearts and scared hearts.  Through Jesus Christ, God wrote in our hearts a new covenant that has been sealed with the blood of his suffering.  The writing in our hearts done by God will never be erased!

Prayer:  Dear God, bring us comfort today.  Thank you for writing your love in my heart through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2012

Settle In

Scripture:  Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  John 12:24

What does dying mean in a world filled with death?  We encounter an earth crippled by violence, individualism and disease; just to mention a few.   Jesus is asking us to die like a grain that falls into the earth.  Key in this passage is that the “grain falls into the earth and dies.”  The grain does not fall on unproductive ground or in a lifeless space.  The death and germination of the grain inside the earth is a necessary process. 

Mother Earth is the place of life and the living.  The ground of the earth is created with nutrients to sustain and grow the grain.  Although it may experience unexpected transformation, it is promised that in good soil it will bear fruit.   Like a baby in the womb, the grain is connected to the Source of all life.  So like the grain gives itself to the ground of the earth, let us give ourselves and settle in the ground of God’s love.   

Settle into that uncomfortable space with a fresh awareness within that we are on a journey to fruitfulness.  As we settle into live a renewed life, Jesus is asking us to journey into spiritual growth, forgiveness, deeper trust and acceptance.  Most importantly, as we settle into the ground of God’s essence we will begin to organically walk in the unction that will cause positive change all around.  The fruit that we bear will also include more rest, more laughter, more dreaming, and the fulfillment of our passions.   

During this season, may we settle into the ground of God’s love and pruning to bear much fruit for the kingdom of Heaven.

Prayer:  Lord, today I settle into the ground of your love.  Here I am. Do with me what you will!  Touch me, mold me and mature me.  In Jesus name. Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 2012

Observe

Scripture:  Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5: 8-10

Lent is an invitation to observe the life of Jesus Christ as it relates to our own journeys of faith. As I journey with my father through a chronic disease, I am learning to be observant.  Perfection in this case is seen in weakness and surrendering to the unknown. I have heard my father say, “Thank you Lord for enabling me to eat today and for letting me walk.”  I have witnessed Jesus journey with my father in times of anguish and I hear the cries of Christ as he moans in excruciating pain.  Without words, I bathe the wounds of his broken body.  As I observe the ins-and-outs of everyday life with Dad, I accept suffering as an incomprehensible aspect of life.  Yet, in observation, I see the transformative aspect of suffering that causes one to be made perfect in weakness.  

Observe Jesus Christ in this passage today.  What can we see and learn from his obedient journey with God and us? Observe how Jesus’ life is intertwined with the lives of those around us. 

Prayer:  Almighty God, today I observe.  Open my eyes through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 2012

Clean Heart

Scripture:  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

Many women know all about having a big pretty purse.  We also know the feeling of having too many things in the purse and not being able to find what we need!  My sister, like me, is a person who carries a big purse with a bunch of stuff in it.  One day, as we walked in the house, I carried her purse in.  In between our pleasant conversation, I told her, “Sis, what do you have in here, girl, your purse is so heavy!”  

She told me, “I need to clean it out! It is full of a bunch of stuff and usually I can’t find what I need.”

While we enjoy the spaciousness of our large purses, sometimes we can fill them with too many unnecessary items.  Sometimes,  our  hearts are like purses that carry too much in them: too many desires, emotions, and perceptions.  Our heart is the center of our spiritual life!  

Has your heart ever felt heavy?  Our hearts are filled with many dilemmas, some of which we desire to change.  Like those purses, we find that the hearts are filled with good things, but sometimes we can’t find them because we have other things in the way.  

The Psalmist was able to unload and empty her heart before God in repentance and consequently, make room for God’s grace, love, mercy, peace and joy.  How might we do the same when we have missed the mark or have heavy hearts?   Through the gift of repentance and surrender to God we can find a place of peace through emptying.  More than emptying we can find a place where God can create a new heart in us!  Let us empty our purses (hearts)!  May our hearts be freed from the overload of sin. May we welcome the Lord inside of those broken places within us.  Wherever God is there is life and freedom!

Prayer:  

Dear Lord, I thank you for your love and care.  I open my heart to you this day and ask that you will come in and heal the broken places and transform any hard places within me into an oasis of abundant life.  Thank you for the gift of forgiveness and surrender.  Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2012

Oil of Joy

Scripture:  You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Psalm 45:7

The act of anointing for the people of Israel was one of extreme generosity! They poured fragrant oils upon a brother or sister who was set apart for the service of God.  Remember the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil?  The aroma must have filled the whole room!

At this point in your life, you may have faced challenges such as the death of a loved one, foreclosure of a home, the loss of a job or a broken relationship.  In the midst of challenging times it is easy to feel broken.  However, know that God has set you apart just now, even today, not only for service, but also to live in God’s perpetual joy.  This joy and delight comes from belonging to a God who calls you friend. 

Imagine yourself right now entering into a banquet hall with a banner over you that says, I love you! As you enter, the host begins to liberally pour fragrant lavender and frankincense oils upon you.  You are saturated, you are overtaken with fragrance, your skin soaks up the nutrients from the oils and the aroma is infused all through your being.  

The oil of joy will enable you to smile in spite of the situations around you: the oil of joy will invite you into a fresh relationship with God; the oil of joy will come from within and fill you with pleasure as you gently walk with Jesus Christ!  The oil of joy will enable you to share hope, faith and love with others because within and all round you is the aroma of joy.  With confidence you will be able to say, “This is a joy that the world did not give me and the world cannot take away.”  And, yes, you are worthy of it! 

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you that you are so generous with me and you pour the fragrant oil of joy upon me without measure.  Enable me to be aware of the joy and delight you have placed within me and enable me to share it with others. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 The Reverend Everdith Landrau

SUNDAY, MARCH 25, 2012

The Love of Our Father

Scripture:  John 3:14-21

My three year old son often rejects my attempts to do loving things for him.  I try to put on his coat when it is cold outside and he rebels.  At meals, it is a battle to coax him to eat nourishing food.   He often resists hugs, baths, sleep and clothing.  It is as if he suspects I do not want good things for him.   Similarly, today's scripture reading speaks of God offering us profound love which we can receive or reject.  The verses from John's Gospel reflect on the creche and the cross, the reality that God sent his Son to be born among us and eventually to suffer death by crucifixion.  All of this was done not to condemn us but to help us understand how deeply we are loved by God.  What is expected of us is belief because by believing God did this for us, we receive salvation.  In contrast, our minds can be filled with thoughts that we are unlovable, that life is futile and our existence meaningless.  No one should have to endure suspicions like this, needless to say believe them! Yet, like my three year old, skeptical thoughts often plague our minds.  To combat this spirit of skepticism, try to pray this simple prayer several times as you go about your day.

Prayer:  

God our Father,

I believe Jesus came to die for me.  I know you love me.  I love you and I want to serve you today. 

Amen

 Mary Beth Beauchamp