Happy Easter

Credit: feministing website

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9

Happy Easter to my reader...s

Lent - Day Forty

Potato Eaters by Vincent Van Gogh,
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

 They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you will be called Sought After, the City No Longer Deserted. Isaiah 62 verse 12

Listen to 'In Our time' to hear about Van Gogh's life.  I was interested to hear that when he painted 'The Potato Eaters', dark pictures were in fashion.  In was the French Impressionists who brough in bright colours, and Van Gogh famously took up their mantle.  This verse speaks of redemption.  Apparently Van Gogh went as a missionary to work with the Flemish miners in Belgium.  They were not much interested, as their lives were tough, and they really focused on just getting by.  The Potato famine that hit Ireland also hit Belgium with 40,000-50,000 deaths.  Van Gogh was born in 1859, and was in his twenties when working with these people.  He became disillusioned and large lost any semblance of the zeal he once held.  In my mind, this verse is for Van Gogh, and these people.  Anyone who feels down cast and hopeless.  There is hope, and the gospel is what it is all about.

Quote from Watchman Nee - 

"Our old history ends with the Cross; our new history begins with the resurrection."

Question: Have I ever felt my expectations dampened?  What do I do about it?

Prayer:  Your goodness lifts me up and fills me with hope for the future.

Lent - Day Thirty Nine - Good Friday

Entry of the Bride by Martin Van Meytens.
Schonbrunn, Vienna

"The Lord has made proclamation to the ends of the earth: 

Say to Daughter Zion, See, your Saviour comes! See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him." Isaiah 62 verse 11

12 To me, 'Good' and 'God' are closely aligned.  In Western  history the two have often conflated. In Middlemarch Eliot compares the 'Good' priest and the 'God' priest, and the 'Good' certainly wins out.

(In the East God is 'good' and 'bad with less polarised definitions.)

Van Meytens's picture illustrates how things should have been for Jesus.  There is an echo with the events of Palm Sunday.  But today (Good Friday) things are pretty much the opposite.  We believe that Good emanates from God, but the source of goodness is our focus, and exists even in the heart of 'darkness'.  

A quote from Watchman Nee- 

“Good is not always God's will, but God's will is always good.”

Question: Where do I see good happening around me?

Prayer:  May your kingdom come, and your will be done.

Lent - Day Thirty Eight

La Grande Parade by Fernand Leger.
Musee National, Biot, France

"Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people.  Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations." Isaiah 62 verse 10

If we cannot 'persuade' people into the kingdom of God, we can make the way straightforward.  How do we do this?  Firstly we shine with holiness, our birthright from our baptism. The presence of God in us is what sets us on fire.  This is the light, warmth and attraction.  How do we make the way straightforward?  We love and accept all people as they are, even the 'horrors' such as the man who threw corrosive substances over children.  We raise a banner declaring God's greatness and Jesus' saving power.  Every time we meet we are prepared for the new faces.  We expect people to be attracted to Jesus, just as they were in bible times.

Quote from Watchman Nee - 

“The Christian life from start to finish is based upon this principle of utter dependence upon the Lord Jesus.”

Question: Am I prepared to love the people the people I meet today, just as Jesus does?

Prayer: Be the joy in my heart and may all who meet me know where I stand.

Lent - Day Thirty Seven

Mount Watchman, Zion National Park USA
Credit: jessleephoto.com

"I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Isaiah 62 verses 6-7

This is the verse that has created an international movement of people interceding through day and night for the wellbeing of the world.  

The history of the world is like a football match where my side walks confidently onto the pitch only to go down a goal in the first minute.  At half time things are looking pretty bad.  But our coach gives us a rallying call, and then, as 'player-manager', comes onto the pitch themselves.  The team is galvanised, and although badly fowled, with our captains help we come back from the dead. Despair is transformed into victory.  

Quote from Watchman Nee -

“The Spirit is both a builder and a dweller. He cannot dwell where he has not built; He builds to dwell and dwells in only what he has built.”

Question: Am I on the wall?

Prayer: I will praise your name from the rooftops.

Lent - Day Thirty Six

Pinterest

"No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your land Desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord will take delight in you, and your land will be married. As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." Isaiah 62 verses 4-5

Hephzibah - my delight is in her, wife of King Hezekiah.

Beulah - The Lord's country.

What do people say of the church in England?  deserted, desolate?  

Probably other things.  Irrelevant, out dated, misdirected.

This prophecy says this will change.  How?  Just as a young couple only have eyes for each other.  We will not care what others think.  It will become almost irrelevant.  The Creator is uniting with those who are besotted.  The Creator rejoices, and nothing else matters.

Question:  Do I retain my first love?

Prayer: In baptism I have made a covenant to only love and adore you.

Lent - Thirty Five

Slade Crown by Dane Shue Art
Credit: daneshueart.com

"The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.  You will be a crown of splendour in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Isaiah 62 verses 2-3

These are verses for the downtrodden, the oppressed and the forgotten.  Who are these people today?  They could be travelers in the UK.  Roma on the continent.  The non-violent Palestinians in Gaza, Kurds without the prospect of a homeland.  There are a multitude of people who have been oppressed from the beginning to time, surviving on the edge.  

Here it is the people of Israel who will be redeemed.  They will be the crowning beauty of there Creator.  And we are invited to be part of this.  I was given a name before I was truly conscious.  In our society the parent given the name.  Here the Creator will bless us with a name which we will treasure.

Question: What is my new name?

Prayer: I hold onto the hope you have put within me.  May I be a worthy diadem.

Palm Sunday

 

Beverly Hills Palm Trees
From Jan Birch Photography (Etsy)

Explore with the Lord

Lent - Day Thirty Four

Credit : Smithsonian Magazine

 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. Isaiah 62 verse 1

Sensitive soul that I am, i do not like to push my views and beliefs onto others.  I am of the opinion that it is as sensible to persuade someone into the kingdom of heaven, as it is to hold a gun to their head.  

But I also believe that it is never right to keep silent.  Stick up for what right. To stay silent is to be complicit.  Racism and injustice thrive in a climate of fear and timidity.  I speak up for those I love and care about.  I wish to be like a flaming torch, burning through the night.

Question: Where do these beams of light penetrate?  

Prayer:  As I look to you, point to where the light of your presence should fall.

Lent - Day Thirty Three

RHS Bridgewater, Salford

"For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations." Isaiah 61 verse 11

How does your garden grow?  We need the right things to all be in place, and 'hey-presto' the miracle of life occurs.  What do we do?  We weed, we tend the soil, we water, we plant the seed, we protect the small shoots from being eaten or trodden on.  The sun brings warmth and light, and the seed grows into a mighty bush, so strong that bird shelter in it over night and eat its fruit.

Righteousness and Praise are like the new shoots of hope and life.  We need these in our lives every day.  Without them life is not worth living. 

Question: Do I know that my devotion to the Lord is part of this plan to save the world?

Prayer:  Let us praise God every time we see the righteous.

Lent - Day Thirty Two

Credit: croftmill.co.uk

"I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61 verse 10

All across the globe we find that people use their attire to signify status, wealth and authority.  The bridegroom and the bride  take pride in what they wear.  It shows the significance of what they are doing.  In the same way the poor often cannot afford fashionable labels.  Their clothes are faded and patched up.  

Our Creator gives us clothes, just as in the creation story, Adam and Eve were helped by God to cover their shame.  The bridegroom is given status (but remember, only as a senior servant), and the bride is given beauty and wealth. 

Question: What do I think about these clothes I have been given?

Prayer:  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.

Lent - Day Thirty One

Section from Descendants III,
Paheli|Sapinda, Paragongallary.co.uk

"Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.” Isaiah 61 verse 20

We all want to be on the winning team.  "God is on our side."  Let us avoid this.  It's very deceptive, and fits with an arrogant assumption that although I know that what I believe is not perfect, it probably more balanced, and better than anyone else's position.  

So why do I follow Jesus?  I know that by staying close to the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, I am certainly blessed.  This relationship is extraordinary, and once you have discovered the way back to your Creator, you can really never give it up.

Question: Am I aware of what it would be like not to receive this blessing?

Prayer: Thank you for the blessings you give me everyday.

Lent - Thirtieth Day

The Israelites and the Ark of the Covenant
credit: finartamerica.com

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them."  Isaiah 61 verse 8

It is a wonderful thing when justice is served.  But it is also a complete waste.  If people loved God, they could do as they pleased, and justice would be preserved. (to paraphrase St Augustine rather crudely). 

The same is true in any good (or Godly) relationship.  No need for justice, because we live by grace. This is the relationship we have with our Creator.  The faithfulness we experience gives us complete security.  We do not have a glimmer of doubt, even when evidence may come to contradict.  Our saviour will never let us down.  

Question: Do I know deep within me that I am loved by my Creator forever?

Prayer: Thank you for the secure, pure, perfect love that is mine forever.

Lent - Twenty Ninth Day

The Inheritance Painting
by Andrea Deschambeault, Saatchi Art

"Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.  And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours." Isaiah 61 verse 7

Shame is a terrible emotion.  It is closely associated with failure, impotence and disgrace. 

I have this mental image of what evil does.  It takes the beautiful work of the Creator and pushes it face first in the quagmire. It sits back and laughs.  How many wasted hours do we spend in shame.  Unhappy with our lot; our looks, our abilities, our powers.  What a waste.

The prophet says our shame will be replaced with a double portion of blessing, which will pour out of its bag and be scattered everywhere.  Inheritance is the most powerful of privileges, and ours is one which will bring a smile everytime we remember it.  It will bring us joy, and that is fine, because it is a gift.

Question: Do I count my blessings everyday?

Prayer: May I know how privileged I am and offer you constant praise.

Fifth Sunday in Lent

 

Travelers climbing a mountain path
by Hokusai

Be Peaceful with the Lord

Lent - Twenty Eighth Day

High Priest, by Eva Reynolds
Credit: evareynaldsfinearts.com 

"And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast." Isaiah 61 verse 6

A Priest, as in 'an elder':  experienced, a leader, stable, authoritative.   

Minister to our Creator: someone who ministers or serves, a senior servant.  

With a mature relationship with our Creator comes serious responsibility.  This relationship is not passive. The closer your get to the King, the more you are delegated to do the work of royalty.  It's the same in any royal family- jobs are delegated out, and you go with the authority given to you. 

With success comes wealth, and in God's kingdom, the wealth is its people.

Question: Am I aware of my role as priest and minster?

Prayer: We are your army of leaders and at the same time, servants.

     

Lent - Twenty Seventh Day

The Red Vineyard by Vincent Van Gough,
Pushkin Museum of fine arts, Russia.

"Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards." Isaiah 61 verse 5

Again, what is our view of 'Strangers' and 'foreigners'?  The fact that people still want to come and live in the UK is a wonderful thing.  It speaks of our privilege.  All people are involved in the work of the Creator.  All people are called, there is no discrimination.  No 'australian-style points based system'

Question:  Do I see that the strangers and foreigners may actually be the ones sent to 'save us'?

Prayer: May we as a community have a global perspective and share our wealth.

Lent - Twenty Sixth Day

Credit: Rebecca Lilith Bathory on BBC Culture website

"They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations." Isaiah 61 verse 4

Renewal is the opposite of degeneration.  We see our world appearing exhausted.   Plastic contamination, smashed up mountains, even now exploitation on the moon!

Also what about our tired societies?  Stressed schools, unhealthy health services and rumours of wars.  In Russia young men fear conscription into the army, and now the West is told we need to militarise also.  War seems inevitable, like litter. 

But here are words of hope.  The one who is ultimately in control of everything says all the destruction we see about us can be restored.  All is not lost.  

Question:  Do I believe that the Creator is in control?  Where is the evidence?

Prayer: We thank you for the hope you have put within us.

Lent - Twenty Fifth Day

"The Rocks", by Vincent Van Gough,
Museum of Fine Art, Houston

"...and provide for those who grieve in Zion—  to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour."  Isaiah 60 verse 3

These words are a proclamation of hope.  Our church has a centre in a Leicester housing estate called "The Oaks".  Most people will not realise that this is a reference to an ancient Jewish text (recorded above).  In their estate there is something growing that is intended to display the glory of the Creator to all.

Question:  Do you see a forest of oaks about you? 

Prayer:   These are the things you are worthy of; a crown, joy and praise, and you choose to share them with us.

Lent - Twenty Fourth Day

Heart of Vengeance by Magdalena Antrobus
Credit: Saatchi Art,

 "...to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,"   Isaiah 61 verse 2

 Here is another strong 'Old Testament' word- 'vengeance.'  It feels to me that this is part of the problem with the military action in Gaza.  It is extremely difficult when you have the power, not to also 'stick the boot in'. 

What I read helps me reconcile these words with my understanding of our Creator.  It speaks of 'a day of vengeance'.  To me this is a time when wrongs will be put right.  Also the prophet says ' to comfort all who mourn'.  This is not exclusive, it's not 'comfort our side who mourn, it's 'all'. So the vengeance will not lead to further mourning. 

Question:  How can I take righteous vengeance on injustice?

Prayer: We look forward to the day when goodness will prevail, and vengeance will be in your hands.

Lent - Twenty Third Day

Prisoners, by Burmese artist Htein Lin. 

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." Isaiah 61 verse 1

As I read these words a sense of inspiration fills me.  I imagine myself in the synagogue where Jesus stood up and spoke from the scroll, reading these very words in Hebrew.  Interestingly, this was part of a tradition where people could do this, which continues to be the case in Quaker Fellowships, and indeed the church I attend.  There is the potential for inspiration to emerge from the mundane.  I guess the contrast adds to the clarity of the message.  When these things happen, we never forget them.  Just as the ancient building that survive, often because they are of great significance, were as the mundane about them are removed and mown down.

Question: What are the significant moments in my life when the word of the Lord has been made clear?

Prayer:  Continue to speak clearly to our communities and 'shake us up!'.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

 

By Bianca Vinther - The Pointless Artist

Create with the Lord

Lent - Twenty Second Day

Speed III by  Guillenphoto.com

"The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly.” Isaiah 20 verse 21

Speed is significant.   May injustices are put right, such as the Hillsborough disaster,  or infected blood products, compensation for post-masters/mistresses, but only after a great and expensive fight.  Many victims have fallen in the way and material justice becomes immaterial to them.  This is not justice, so the Lord says this will be done in its time and swiftly.

Question:  What areas of my life need to 'speed up'?

Prayer:  Prompt me Lord to not tary, but to keep up with you.

Lent - Twenty First Day

New Shoots, by Jessalin Beutler
(Credit: jessalionbeutler.studio)

"Then all your people will be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendour."  Isaiah 60 verse 21

Righteousness is something we cannot get away from.  I am following the reports of the Royal Mail post office scandal.  One thing that has appeared is that most of these people were innocent.  Honesty, innocent, the truth, continued to be valued in our land.  What a mercy, but all these things are founded in God.  The fact that people are moved by the presence of injustice reassures me that God is still in our land. 

Question: Where can we see God at work about us?

Prayer:  May justice be always held in high esteem in this land.