Easter is soon upon us.  What a wonderful time of year to be reminded that we are, indeed, a resurrection people.  That God wins!  In this time of year, bulbs break through the ground, trees blossom and grass grows.  The sun...well, never mind.  The rains fall to cleanse the streets (I'm trying.)  There is a sense that 'it' is coming.  Winter is behind us, and new life is bursting around us. 

This is also a time of journey.  We've not arrived.  Jerusalem is not far off.  The walls of the Temple, the courtyard, the betrayal, arrest and legal proceedings are not far off.   If we listen close enough we may hear a carpenter fashioning a cross and nails. 

There is no way to Easter other than through the cross and Jesus' suffering.  As we long for new life, for God's transforming grace and power in our lives and in the world, we are aware of suffering.  Events in Japan, poverty and struggle on the continent of Africa, illness and health matters at home or near to us, economic woes that weigh down and threaten, or our own involvement in wars that have us keeping lists that we may keep up with them all.  This only scratches the surface.  As we journey to the resurrection, we walk amidst a human family that knows and experiences brokenness and suffering.  Events and news stories have names and faces and hopes and fears and loved ones behind them.

Let us be reminded, no let us be invested in the transforming, resurrecting life of God that we are given to express compassion and love for others.  We are all called to be in Christ's ministry.  As we travel, look to see into the eyes and hearts of those with whom we walk.  As they stand in line at the store, family we encounter over the phone, faces displayed on a news reel, friends and enemies, those who visit or attend worship and our time of fellowship.  Let us seek to be the walking, breathing love and grace of God who willingly open ourselves to the fullness of our human experience and journey.  This means suffering and resurrection.  Let us walk as disciples and be present to our sojourners as God's love.  For in serving in such a way, we find our path to healing and resurrection. ..to new life.

This month as we approach Easter, the group is purposely looking at prayer  to see how we can use it as a tool.  We have learned that in ancient times, prayer meant that you commune with God.  The ancients also used emotion as a way to connect or communicate with God.  For instance, as you pray, what is your feeling at that moment when your are in prayer.  Happy or sad?  Maybe you're not praying because you feel something is holding you back?

We've learned that there are reasons why many people don't pray, because they might feel shame about themselves.  They have doubt that God may even hear their prayer, or selfishness.

In the forty days  of Lent, we are looking at what separates us from the blessings that God has to give us.  Because our higher call is to enjoy our life and be thankful with what God has given us.

If you would like to join, please email Michael Small, and he will give you the book for our Lenten study.

We meet at 6:30 am, Monday mornings.  Please enter via the steps on the corner of 10th and Republican.  If you have any questions, please call Michael at 206-909-2590.