WHEELING ISLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
REFLECTIONS AND PRAYERS FROM THE ORDER OF THE MINISTRY
WEEK 5
CLICK A DATE BELOW
MARCH 21, 2010: Fifth Sunday in Lent
READ: John 12:1-8
FROM: Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes, Community Christian Church,
Beech Bottom, IW and Bethany College Dir. of Church Relations
"He's raised the dead so the least we can do," Martha said, "is give him a dinner." Mary, she knew, wasn't interested in the least—not in grape leaves, unleavened loaves, olive oil. Not even wine. Certainly not filling jars and sweeping floors. Not in the least. Mary wanting more, took a pound of costly perfume, anointed his feet, wiped them with her hair." Wasteful," said Judas, thinking less, wanting more. "What about the poor," he said, hearing the jingle of coins in the front of his brain, the click of dice. "Yeah, the poor. Tell her to sell that nard, give the money to me. Worth a lot, that nard." "They will always be with you, the poor," Jesus said. "I am their good news." And Mary, he said, about my feet, thank you for the oil and the softness of your hair. Keep the rest... for later."
I adore you, my God, and that is what matters
in this day, this season, my life.
MARCH 22, 2010 – Monday
READ: Colossians 1:9-17
FROM: Rev. Richard Howard, First Christian Church, Morgantown
Western culture has so thoroughly domesticated Jesus that it takes an active imagination to see the cosmic Christ proclaimed by Colossians. This is the age of Jesus as our bosom buddy, our pal, our friend. We find comfort in a Jesus that bears much resemblance to ourselves. But Colossians tells us of a greater being, a glorious being, one through whom "all things in heaven and on earth were created..." And this is the power that has been made manifest through his present body on earth, the Church. If we would just embrace such an understanding of Christ, and then seek to be the conduits of his powerful
love to the world around us, how much closer to the divine kingdom on earth we would be.
As we make our Lenten journey, let us be thankful that such love for all creation has chosen to dwell in the world through those who are willing to give themselves to God.
Gracious Lover of Creation,
instill in us even a small portion of your love,
that we too may work to bring healing and wholeness to a broken world.
MARCH 23, 2010 – Tuesday
READ: Ephesians 3:14-19
FROM: Rev. Sanford Downs, First Christian Church, Parkersburg
The love of Christ is so great we really can't understand it, yet the Apostle prays that we, as all Christians, will strive to comprehend it, and more importantly, be firmly rooted in it. What does this mean? Try to meditate on this one thought today: the love of Jesus Christ. This love was incarnated for you, went to a cross for you, was resurrected for you, and promises you eternal life, now and forever. This much love is all consuming. It is overwhelming. We can't shut it up inside of us. When you feel that much love in you, you can't help but show it to others. We have to act out positively toward everyone in Christ's name and tell everyone about it. When we minister to others and tell others about Christ, we get to share that overwhelming love.
Loving God, your love, justice, and compassion,
are beyond what my mortal mind can ever fully understand.
Let me live out that love in my daily life so that my words and my actions
may always be a living witness to your living love.
MARCH 24, 2010 – Wednesday
READ: Job 19:23-27
FROM: Rev. David Chafin, Deputy Regional Minister
Among the evidences for individual human history, none are so intriguing as those things which are engraved in stone. From the family graveyard to the hieroglyphs of Egypt, my imagination is captured by what is said and unsaid. One doesn't quickly commit to stone what one might hurriedly dash out in an email or text message.
Job's confidence in the justice of God, and indeed of his own sense of standing before God, is as sure as any engraving he could imagine. Beyond this wavering, uncertain world is a sure and reliable God - the rock of our salvation, the word that shall not pass away.
Help me to know you, O God, as the ultimate reality
and to rejoice in the faith your constant goodness inspires.
MARCH 25, 2010 – Thursday
READ: Isaiah 50:4-9
FROM: Rev. Dawna Watkins, Bluefield, WV
"The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word." What happens when I'm the one that needs sustaining? Is that where we are as a church? Have we been in teaching mode so long that we have lost sight of the sustaining power of God? Have we stopped listening for the "morning by morning" gift of God's insight? Showing us those whom we are to teach; including ourselves!
I sometimes think that I'm alone in this, it's all me, and forget that God is with me. I discovered my prayer life has been for others while I struggle to carry my load without help. It's amazing how quickly God answered a prayer that I asked for myself. Once we remember that God is our teacher, filling us with the Good News of Resurrection, it becomes easier to teach others the Good News with authority!
Help me to listen to your word of assurance, 0 God,
and be filled with your grace to share your wondrous story!
MARCH 26, 2010 – Friday
READ: Psalm 31:9-16
FROM: Pastor Rod Hubbs, First Christian Church, McMechen
After reading this scripture, I think of how Jesus must have felt when He was entering Jerusalem. Knowing what was going to happen to Him and still going ahead. He knew that God was with Him. So I ask myself, "Why am I sometimes afraid of the future when I know that God is with me as He promised He would be?"
We sometimes forget what has been promised to us after we accept Christ as our Savior. Why do we forget? Because we are mere mortals. That is one of the glories of the Lenten season. It gives us a reminder of just how great God is.
Let us rejoice and be glad as we renew our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Glorious God and Father of us all,
we ask that you continue to make yourself known to us
throughout each and every day of this and every season.
MARCH 27, 2010 – Saturday
READ: Philippians 2:5-11
FROM: Rev. Jayne Chafin, First Christian Church, New Martinsville
Many years ago, someone gave me a little glass plaque on a stand with the words "Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus our Lord," written on it. I can still see that in my mind. I kept it on my bedside table for a long time. There are days I wish I still had it. After difficult days it is good to think on this text in rising or in retiring. It moves from the sobering thought of having the "same mind" as Jesus to praising his name!
We are called forth this Lent and always to remember what Jesus has done for us and to look forward to that day when "every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Are you singing it with me?
May I sing the eternal song of Christ's glory, O God,
as I rise up, and as I lie down,
confident of your renewing presence in my life.