I’m a gramma, a communicator, a lover of hospitality, a writer, a cross-generational friend, a neighbor, an extrovert, and more. My husband says telephone is my spiritual gift which I sometimes supplement with texting. I love ministry, our church, and traveling with my husband. And Bill sometimes rolls his eyes!

Do you see the common denominator? I am a connector and I am also a finite being. Finite beings need limits!

“We praise you, O Lord, for our limits!
Limits you have given us for our good and for your glory.
…
we praise you for the boundaries of our beings!
You have made us finite creatures
that we might be held and known.”
Every Moment Holy, p. 65

“The LORD bless you and keep you;” are the first words of the famous Priestly blessing that the Lord entrusted to Moses to speak over the people of Israel. Numbers 6:24.

The remaining chapters of Numbers clarifies to Moses (“The Lord spoke to Moses …” is recorded 47 times) who communicates to the people the specifics of how this blessing will become reality.

“The LORD spoke to Moses …
Command the people of Israel,
When you enter the land of Canaan (the promised land) …
as defined by its borders,”
Numbers 34:1,2 (italics mine)

God not only imposes borders on lands, he created us with borders too. Limits for our good and His glory.

Ben and Alayna are our good friends. Ben is an introvert; Alayna is an extrovert. In these first years of marriage they are learning how to navigate that reality. Their people limits are very different. Ministry is their career — a highly peopled career.

They share the same calling and the same heart to serve God.

As an introvert, Ben is very aware of his people capacity. His chosen career causes him to be with lots of people. And he knows his limits and works hard at living within those boundaries. He understands that following a full day with others, he needs to retreat to their spare bedroom, be alone, play his guitar, and recharge.

Alayna’s people limits are much larger. She can meet a friend for coffee in the morning; workout at the gym in the afternoon connecting with friends there; lead a Bible study on campus in the evening; return home and look forward to de-briefing with Ben.

“For you formed my inward parts;
you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:13, 14

Although God created Ben and Alayna with opposite strengths, they are both committed to the scriptures. God knitted them together and drew them in marriage for their good and His glory. But the application of how that is lived out is very different. It’s been a good journey for them.

My husband is an introvert; I am an extrovert. We understand Ben and Alayna’s journey.

As we’ve navigated a similar path, and learned to respect each other’s limits, a few practices we follow are …

* Honoring each other’s giftings. Bill defers hospitality to me.
* Submit to each other’s strengths. Sometimes Bill laughs at my wanting to decorate for minor holidays, but he always supports it.
* Communicate lots; not assuming we’re on the same page.
* Knowing times when we can push each other’s limits; and times when we need to hold back.
* Remembering we’re both finite beings in the hands of an infinite God.
* Learning to be thankful for each other’s uniqueness.

“I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.”
Psalm 119:96

What have you learned about living with others with different strengths than yours?

 

Copyright:  Sue Tell, May 2023

 

 

This scripture has anchored my prayer life for my husband, Bill and more lately for me as well — that God would bring together our hearts and our skills as we minister.

I first wrote about this over a year ago in the winter. And then again last fall. Now a springtime post.

God continues to define Psalm 78:72 for me.

First the concept of capacity caught my attention. I don’t have unlimited capacity. My heart and my skill need to be mitigated by capacity. And my capacity is changing.

As I was sharing this at a workshop last fall, her comment helped define capacity. She offered, A question I ask myself when a new opportunity arises is “Will I have the ability to sustain what I start?” Sustainability added a deeper dimension to capacity.

Then my phone call with Pat a few months ago. Oh how we need the wisdom of those a few years ahead of us! I’ll be forever thankful!

Pat and I first met when we both lived in Illinois and attended the same church. A significant part of their ministry was the families in the church.

Pat was a teacher and with her husband spent summers in northern Minnesota. Bill and I were on our first ministry assignment, The University of Illinois.

They were part of the leadership team at our church. I looked up to them AND I wondered, how can they leave their ministry field for a whole summer?

Actually I judged them. Ouch! Oh how little that 20-something understood!!

As we talked recently, Pat brought up the concept of responsibility. In that moment I knew I had heard from God.

Responsibility was another piece of the puzzle helping me to understand Psalm 78:72. My heart and my skill, besides being tempered by capacity and sustainability, also needed to be tempered by responsibility.

What are the responsibilities God has entrusted me with
that need to be taken into account
when considering other opportunities?

And to carry out well my God-given responsibilities, I need to follow the example of Jesus., and of Pat. Often recorded in the gospels are incidences when Jesus left the crowds, left ministry opportunities, and went away to enjoy and be refreshed by the presence of God.

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31

That’s what northern Minnesota was for Pat. That’s what our sanctuary is for us. But sometimes I forget. I need Pat’s to remind me.

Responsibilities can only be carried out well
when they are the overflow of times of rest.

If your output exceeds your input, then your upkeep will be your downfall.”

I’m looking forward to recharging our spiritual batteries this summer, so I can enter the fall ready to live out my heart and my skill tempered by my capacity, ability to sustain, and the responsibilities God has already given. Thank you, Pat!

 

If you want to look back at previous posts on Psalm 78:72, the archives will get you there.

A Colorado Winter Morning, January 27, 2022
The Simplicity and Beauty of Gospel Friendships, September 29, 2022

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m excited to share with you a devotional my good friend Kirstin Newmaster wrote and shared at a women’s retreat.

 

I sent it ahead to a few friends to whet your appetite. First, their words.

 

 

“Kirstin’s words on confession were so powerful! In her brief talk she presented the need and benefits of confessing our sins to one another, using clear scriptural teaching and even a fun illustration, to encourage us to shine a light on the sin that we struggle with as we relate to one another. I found her words refreshing and freeing as I look at my own need to walk in the light.”
Carolyn Eden

“I very much appreciated the insights Kirstin shared regarding confession and our identity. Rather than viewing Christian maturity as being in control of my sin, Kirstin, explains that as a misunderstanding of maturity: it is not self-effort, rather sooner and sooner bringing my yuck into the light that is a mark of maturing spiritually. And, love is the marker of my growth.”
Diane McIntyre

“Kirstin offers a compelling reminder of the power of living in the light of Jesus with safe, trusted others. She doesn’t shy away from James’ insistent words regarding our need to confess our sins to one another, and gives us hope that it actually leads to our maturing and increases our love for one another. You may even want to read it more than once.”  Kathy Lorimor

When Kirstin shared her words with me, I knew I wanted to share them with you. Thank you Kirstin for generously granting permission.

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Confession
Kirstin’s title
“Confess to one another that you may be healed.” James 5:16

I love this theme of “one another.” The phrase “one another” is used 100 times in the New Testament? God cares deeply about how we relate with each other!

Last night you looked at sharpening one another and the role that conflict plays in relationships. Conflict can destroy or perfect. Let’s not waste the opportunity to be impacted by and influence each other.

Today we’re going to look at confessing to one another. This is an act of bringing my yucky out into the light. And it’s not a one time deal. It’s something we’re going to do over and over in our lives.

To talk about confession, we’re going to talk about this concept of light. Living in the light. I want to show you a clip showing one creature’s response to light.

https://www.tiktok.com/@m.tothea.d.i/video/7050348443885194497

When I was a kid, I used to love making my dog chase the flashlight on the wall. It was hilarious! The dog never was going to catch the light. But did that stop the dog? Nope. The light just drove it crazy!!! It wanted to be in the light as much as possible. Usually he was trying to eat it.

I was going to show you a video of what a cockroach does when you turn the light on, but cockroaches give me the heebie jeebies. Suffice it to say, cockroaches are nocturnal so you turn a light on and they go running for the dark!

Which are you attracted to: darkness, or light?

Let’s look at 3 passages of scripture. One at the beginning of the Bible; one kind of in the middle, and one toward the end. Let’s start at the end.

1 John 1:5 says “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

There is no hiding for God. When something is in the light, it can be seen. It can be known.

In the first chapter of the Bible, light is the first thing God creates. It’s the first thing that God calls “good.” Then He created people in His image. Part of the implications of that is that we are made to thrive in the light. Especially community. Our relationships are made to thrive when we are honest & known.

I see this both in 1 John and Genesis. 1 John 1:7 says our fellowship is directly related to being honest and known: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

In Genesis 2:25 we see a relationship that’s in the light. Adam and Eve were both naked and unashamed, kind of like that baby in the video. Oh how I long for the freedom to be unashamed like that. That’s how we were made to be. Seen and unashamed. Known and loved. I ache for that, to be fully known and fully loved. But what happened? Sin came into the picture and ruined their experience of the light. It drives to hiding. Hiding happened when they first experienced shame — the concept that something is bad about me and I need to hide. If it was known, I would not be loved.

And John 3 makes a really devastating observation. “and this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” v. 19

We prefer to hide and wallow in our sin. That is always driven by shame and sometimes by fear.

What keeps me hiding in the darkness?

1. If I was known, I wouldn’t be loved.
2. I should be in control of my sin.
3. My sin is tied to who I am.

These lies are a misunderstanding of what defines my identity and maturity.

IDENTITY – In order to confess my sin and bring it to the light, I need to know, deep down, that my behavior no longer defines who I am. That’s why in the same chapter Jesus says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned.” John 3:17,18

Condemnation is to have my identity based on what I do or don’t do. In general that’s how the world works! Someone who steals is identified as a thief. Someone who teaches is identified as a teacher. Someone who fails is now a failure. But in Jesus, our behavior is no longer evidence of our identity. This is a big deal! This really matters when it comes to dealing with our sin, bringing it to the light so that we can experience the healing, fellowship, and goodness that God says the light is!

Who does God say you are? A SAINT! He says you are righteous. He says you are precious and with great value.

This is your evidence for who you are, not your sins. Sin is evidence that you’re human, that you need others. It’s an opportunity for you to experience love through humility and trust.

HUMILITY – As I believe this concept that my sins no longer define who I am, I will begin to trust God and others with me. That is a really good definition of humility, trusting God and others with me. And as I believe that my sin no longer defines me, it will free me to admit it to God and others sooner and sooner when I am tempted.

Confession is an act of humility. It is trusting who I really am on the inside and what I am tempted to believe about myself with another and with God. When I bring even my yuck to the light, that’s confession.

James 5:16 says what to expect when we confess, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for each other that you may be healed.”

Sin is a damaging force. It requires healing! When I confess sins I’ve done or want to do I am opening myself up to you, trusting you, so you can know me,  love me, and help me heal. You can pray for me. You can help me identify the shame that is triggered in me that gives me permission to sin, because that shame is what I really need healing from.

So, that knocks off that lie that my sin is connected to who I am. But there’s also this lie that I should be in control of my sin by now. And that’s a misunderstanding of maturity.

Typically a misunderstanding of the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Self-effort is NEVER the way of escape. You know what is? Confession. Choosing – at any point in the shame cycle – to shine light on it.

MATURITY – What if sinning less wasn’t a marker of my spiritual maturity? What if confessing it sooner is? Sin isn’t a three step process. I typically think of sin as “temptation, sin, repentance.” But it’s a whole lot more complicated.

First it starts to grow as an option in your mind. Then it starts to feed into your shame, lies about who you are. It starts to promise good for you, that it would offer a solution for your shame.

But after the sin act you start to feel the need to hide, to justify, to blame. Ultimately it reinforces the lie you were believing to be true about yourself.

So if we don’t deal with the shame and the lie I am believing, the sin keeps coming up over and over. It’s so hard to repent of habitual sin. We think, “I’ve already dealt with this! Have I not grown at all? I must really be _______.” That’s why self-effort is not the way of escape. It only reinforces our shame story.

But God doesn’t say that the marker of maturity is sinlessness. “By this all men will know you are my disciples – by how you love one another.” John 13:35.

Love is the marker of my growth, not sinning less. So if instead of fearing confessing sin once again, I celebrated every time I brought sin to the light one step sooner than last time. Because that act of humility, trusting someone else with me, is an act of love. An act of maturity.

When you think of maturity, think of the sound  of clicking on a flashlight. Let it remind you of humility, confessing shame, confessing sin. Choosing to click on the light is not marker that I’m  messed up and struggling once again — it’s a marker that I’m growing! I’m choosing to come into the light ASAP! Celebrate that.

Remember those three lies that were keeping me in the darkness:

1. If I was known, I wouldn’t be loved. 1 John 1:7 – Fellowship happens in the light – you cannot be loved without being known.
2. I should be in control of my sin. John 13:35 When you think you are in control of your sin, sin is in control of you. Maturity isn’t sinning less but loving more.
3. My sin is tied to who I am. John 3:17 No condemnation in Jesus! Sin is not the evidence God looks at to define you.

What are you going to find when you turn on the light? 1 John 1:7 says you will find healing and love.

What does this look like for you? What do you fear you will find when you turn this light on and  tell someone the truth about you? Possibly it is one of the three things I mentioned.

When you click on this light, what comes to mind? Is there a sin you need to shine light on? A lie you are believing?

Flashlight verses:

James 5:16

1 John 1:7

John 13:35

I encourage you — find someone you trust and practice clicking this light on. Share a sin that you struggle with. Ask them to pray for you and to help you identify what it is about yourself that you are believing, that is triggering this sin.

Remember, confessing our sins is not a step back in your maturity, it is a step forward. Even if you’ve confessed this sin before. Because choosing to trust and be known is an act of humility and love.

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What thoughts are swirling in your mind? For those who share in the comments, I’m sending you a little flashlight. We all need reminders.

Have you signed up to follow Echoes of Grace? Those who sign up receive an email from me a few days after the posts usually taking the subject a bit deeper. This week I’m sharing how Kirstin’s words ministered personally to me.

Sue

Copyright: Kirstin Newmaster and Sue Tell, April 2023

I’m so thankful for our church. The Easter worship was glorious. Christ the Lord is Risen today is one of my favorite hymns and our music ministry did a wonderful rendition. I’m thankful for our pastor. His teaching from Matthew 27 and 28 on grasping the power of the resurrection affirmed what I’ve been hearing from God. It was good.

And yet …

Some expectations were not met.
Some desires were not reality.
Some traditions were not duplicated.

Meditating on the third day these last several weeks has been so positive. I’m responding to the resurrection narrative with deeper trust and greater peace.

AND …

I allowed a few un-importants and comparisons to taint my celebration.

“One person esteems one day as better than another,
while another esteems all days alike …”
Romans 14:5

I’m the “one”; Bill is the “another”. This verse describes our marriage.

In my family of origin, Easter was the same as Thanksgiving and Christmas — a time when our large extended family came together. This extrovert loved the chaos of all the aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins, grandmas and grandpas celebrating together.

My introvert husband grew up in the tradition of holy days being quiet days, a time to kick back and maybe invite one maiden aunt in for dinner.

In Romans 14, Paul is addressing gray areas and the oft misplaced attitudes of the church in Rome whose congregation was half Jewish and half gentile. He exhorts the church to “not to quarrel over opinions.” Romans 14:1. And to remember that God has welcomed the entire church. Romans 14:3. While the scriptures were not written to me, they are  written for me.

I was allowing gray areas to shine too brightly; the un-importants affecting the importants.

“for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking
(or certain family celebrations)
but of righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17, parentheses mine

“So then let us pursue
what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.”
Romans 14:19

God cares deeply about how we relate. Even those gray areas that can put a stumbling block in the way of another need to be worked through.

And true confession, sometimes bringing my yuck into the light is not a one and done. Will you pray for me that I will believe truth, not let gray areas trip me up, and that I’d remember to walk in love … which always builds up?

How can I be praying for you?

 

Copyright, Sue Tell, April 2023

 

 

Easter has passed. God’s heart for our heart is present. So a few more thoughts from the Easter narrative recorded in Luke.

“Wise men and women are always learning,
always listening for fresh insights.”
Proverbs 18:15, The Message (italics mine)

A suggestion:  Have you read Lent – Continuing the Journey?  

You might want to click back and read it first. This is chapter two of my story based on the words of Luke 22:39-46.

39. “And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives,
and the disciples followed him. 40. And when he came to the place*, he said to them,
‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’
41. And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,
42. saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.
Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’
43. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.
44. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly;
and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
45. And he rose from prayer,
he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46. and he said to them,
‘Why are you sleeping?
Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.'”

LISTEN

As I listened to this passage, several things called for my attention.

Going to the Garden of *Gethsemane, was Jesus’ habit. Luke knew it was important that we noted, “as was his custom”. Possibly the place wasn’t the important thing, but that Jesus had a habit of prayer.

Jesus invited his friends, his disciples into a sacred space. He came to Gethsemane for time of prayer alone with his Father. A time alone, but a time with his disciples. Once they arrived, Jesus’ words were, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And then he moved a stone’s throw away to be alone. However, a stone’s throw is not far. Had the disciples stayed awake, they would have heard Jesus’ prayer.

Am I listening to Jesus’ words in my times of prayer?

“God speaks in the silence of the heart.
Listening is the beginning of prayer.”
Mother Teresa

ENGAGE

And so I ponder …

What was the temptation Jesus was warning the disciples of?
If Jesus moved only a stone’s throw away, why did he not just stay with the disciples?

NOTICE

Repetitions: Twice Jesus says “Pray that you may not enter into temptation”.
Repetitions signal importance. Was Jesus referring to the importance of staying awake? Was he referring to Peter’s future denial? Or …?

Nevertheless: A seemingly insignificant word. NO! Nevertheless is the bridge between Jesus’ request and his heart. He voluntarily and obediently submitted his will to God’s.

The character of God: “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven strengthening him”: Jesus’ prayer must have pleased God. God affirmed him. Jesus felt invited to pray even more earnestly.

TRUST

What temptation might Jesus want me to be aware of today?
What do I continually hear over and over again from God?
What is the “nevertheless” prayer Jesus is asking me to pray?
Am I experiencing the character of God as I bring my requests to Him?
What does God want me to trust Him with today?

These four principles often anchor my time with God. I wonder, what stands out to you as you listen, engage, notice, and trust God. You might want to spend some time listening to God, practicing these principles through whatever passage you are currently reading.

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2023

 

 

 

 

 

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“But on the first day of the week (the third day),
they went to the tomb …
they found the stone rolled away …
they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
While they were perplexed …
“Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is not here, but has risen.
Remember how he told you while he was still in Galilee,
that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men
and be crucified
and on the third day rise.”
And they remembered his words,”
Luke 24:1-8 (italics and parentheses mine)

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The Third Day in my words

The Third Day
captured the tune of my heart.

The Third Day
focused my faith-stretching journey.

The Third Day
challenged, am I standing in truth?

The Third Day
humbled – the rugged cross for me?

The Third Day
opened my desiring heart.

The third day
perplexed – the stone rolled away.

The Third Day
invited to see the empty tomb.

The Third Day
settled – He is risen; he is risen indeed!

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Hillsong sings of the third day …

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May your third day celebration bless you in many ways! Happy Easter!

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“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures,”
I Corinthians 15:3 and 4 (italics mine)

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Being mesmerized by the third day started toward the beginning of the season of Lent while I was reading Exodus. To start at the beginning of my journey, click here …

Be Ready for the Third Day

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2023

 

One week ago today, a horrendous tragedy took place at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee.

An armed former student broke into the school killing three nine year old students, the head of the school, a custodian, and a substitute teacher before she was killed by local law enforcement.

How do I even pray in the midst of this horror?
When will this madness end?
I feel so helpless, what can I do?

Questions proliferated. Tears and more tears. I listened to my friends. We sought to point each other to God, to truth. But still ANGER!

At first, I needed to borrow a prayer I found online unable to form my own. I shared it on Echoes of Grace last Thursday. Perhaps you might need its help too.

Once again, the protests, the cries for gun reform. But has that made a difference?

As the days went by, as I connected with family and friends, it became obvious. Gun reform is necessary, but it is not the answer.

Crumbling moral values are stampeding across our land.
Confusion, hurt, mental anguish and more abound.
This is the reality that must be addressed.

A time is coming, Jesus is coming again, and then, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,
and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21 4

But as we wait for that glorious day, what can we do?

1) Yes, connect with your senators and representatives. Let your voice be heard.

AND …

2) Keep praying. Jesus understands agony. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup form me … And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22: 42 and 44 (underlines mine). In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus knowing the reality of his crucifixion was only hours away, the intensity of this moment drew him to desperate prayer.

Paul’s prayer for the Galatians, is another example of desperate prayer. “my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” Galatians 4:19 (underlines mine).

And we’re commanded, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16; and “pray without ceasing,” I Thessalonians 5:17.

3) Love your neighbor.  Six degrees of separation is a construct with the idea that all people are six or fewer social connections away from each other.

As I connected with my friends last week, as I read news articles and Facebook posts, I was amazed at how many people I know were in some way connected with the Covenant School tragedy. One knew the pastor of the church Covenant School is connected with; another had spoken at the church; one had led worship at the school; the music director used to be the music director of our home church; their children went to school right across the street; his friend was mentored by the head of the school; and more. And I was connected with all of them. Connections were rampant. Six degrees of separation.

“For the whole law (including the moral law) is fulfilled in one word,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Galatians 5:14 (parentheses mine)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:
just as I have loved you,
you also are to love one another.”
John 13:34

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other,
for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8

I was forced to ask …

Who are my one anothers?
Who are my neighbors?

There are neighborhood neighbors.
There are extended family neighbors.
There is a neighbor who gave me a manicure.
There are church neighbors.
There are neighbors at my favorite coffee shop.

“Indeed, I count everything as loss
because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
Philippians 3:8

As I prayed, what do you want me to count as loss? The answer was immediate, count as loss my hesitancy to love my neighbor.

What does that look like to love our neighbors? Together, we can make a difference in the crumbling moral values of our nation. There is only six degrees of separation.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, April 2023

 

 

 

 

I share the hopes of the Psalmist.

I am brokenhearted over the horrific tragedy that happened Monday morning in Tennessee.

Four of our elementary and middle-school aged GRANDS attend a small Christian school, a very similar school to Covenant. I am a member of a PCA church. I taught third grade, my classroom full of nine year olds. Shouldn’t school be a safe place for children?

But this is not about me.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus also experienced agony, the agony of his soon to be crucifixion. “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly;” Luke 22:44

How in my agony can I pray more earnestly?

I adapted this prayer shared in byfaithonline on March 28, 2023. byFaith is a publication of the Presbyterian Church in America. It helped shape my prayers as I’ve poured out my heart in agony this week. Perhaps it will help you as well.

Oh God, be Merciful,

Our culture, our nation is in a downward spiral of moral decay. Moral values have disappeared from our nation. Lord have mercy. The apostle Paul instructs, “abhor what is evil.” Romans 12:9

‘You have fed us with the bread of tears and given us tears to drink in full measure.’

Our hearts are broken for the families of the six people whose lives were taken in an expression of evil at Covenant Presbyterian Church Academy. Abhor what is evil.

We ask that you will be merciful. Pour out grace we can’t comprehend on those who bear pain we can’t imagine. We have no words to do what only your Spirit can provide. God, be merciful.

For the families of the three children whose lives have been cut short, Lord be merciful.

For the families of the three adults whose lives were taken, Lord be merciful.

For those injured in the attack, Lord be merciful.

For the entire school, Covenant Presbyterian Academy, the students, the faculty, their chaplain, the administration, Father be merciful.

For the Covenant Presbyterian Church community, the members, the pastors, the staff, God be merciful.

For the area churches and pastors, for the professional counselors throughout Nashville, all who are reaching out in love, God be merciful.

For the family of the shooter, Lord be merciful.

For the life of the church in the world, for the hope of the world, God be merciful.

Though we live in the promise of what will one day be, when all sorrow, sadness, weeping and death will be no more, right now we are devastated. Lord be merciful. Amen.

“Weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15

 

 

 

If you are familiar with the liturgical calendar, Lent is the third season, the six week period before Easter.

In some Christian traditions it is a time set aside to prepare for Easter, to celebrate the resurrection; for me, it is a time for spiritual renewal. I want to be ready for the third day.

The word Lent offers a helpful acrostic.

L – Listen

Matthew 17:1-8 is the narrative of the transfiguration when Jesus takes Peter, James, and John by themselves up the “high mountain”.  “And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah …” (verse 3)

Peter recognizing them, gets all excited and offers to build three tents: one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

But a voice from heaven interrupts, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;” (verse 5). These words echoing the words spoken at Jesus’s baptism.

If you were unfamiliar with this passage and you read the words, this is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased, what do you think might be the next word, the word telling us how to respond?

Worship him?   Serve him?   Follow him?   Tell others about him?   Obey him?

All good things. But not what the voice of God says.

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5

Listen to him!

As a child, I was taught to stop, look, and listen before crossing a street or a railroad crossing. Listening was important because often the car or train coming my way was still invisible; looking was not adequate. But the sound warned. I find this helpful in my time in the scriptures now. I need to stop, to pause, to consider, not just read. What am I hearing?

When I open my Bible, I look at (read) the words, but am I listening for the voice of God?

E – Engage

When I’m wanting to develop friendship with another, I often invite them over for coffee. I ask questions. I engage them in conversation. I listen. We get to know each other. As they respond, a friendship blooms.

I love these words spoken about Moses. I want them to describe me too.

“Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses
face to face,
as a man speaks to his friend.”
Exodus 33:11

Engage: ask questions, ponder, journal.

N- Notice

Notice the small words. I’m discovering that God speaks with a loud voice through the small words.

“Do not be conformed to this world,
but
be transformed …”
Romans 12:2 (underline mine)

The small word but is very important in this verse. It’s directing my understanding to being transformed. From my Bible study, I’ve learned that be transformed is in the passive imperative verb tense meaning I need to allow myself to be transformed; I need to allow God to do something in me. The good news of the gospel is highlighted, as I spend time with God listening and engaging, He is doing something in me; He is transforming me. Noticing the small word, but, led to big understanding.

Click on the highlighted link for another illustration of the importance of small words.

Notice the repetitions. Repetition in the scriptures intensify the urgency of the message. In the first three verses of Isaiah 55, the word come appears five times! The concept of listening appears four times! Resulting in my soul being alive.

“Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;”
Isaiah 55:3

Notice responses.
Notice the word will. It often points to God’s promises.

T – Trust

When I practice listening, engaging, and noticing, it leads to trust. It leads to pleasing God.

“And without faith (trust) it is impossible to please God …”
Hebrews 11:6

I often pray, God, what would it look like to trust you today?

These four principles are anchoring my time with God and are leading me on a journey to spiritual renewal, of being ready for the third day.

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, March 2023