Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Monday, March 11, 2013
Faith Conversations
Who is someone from the Bible (besides God of Jesus) that you would like to have a conversation about faith with? What would you say and why would you pick that person?
I'd like to talk to St. John The Evangelist. Judging by his writing he had a more mystical understanding of what went on. A question I might ask is, "what do you mean by 'word?'". More that I'd just like to hear what he had to say about his experiences. I'd also like go to St. John Lateran in Rome with Mary Magdeline (she wasn't a prostitute) and find out what her impressions are of Christianity today. It would also be nice to find a cafe and have a chat over a glass or two of wine. I expect that their experiences would be a little like my own- constantly trying to bring together what I experience with what I hope. Doug
Joseph, the son of Israel. How old were you when you had an accurate insight into your apparent faith? Obviously, faith is a gift from God, but did you mature into as a young child or did you grasp it in whole cloth the first time? Did you experience your faith in the manner of Mozart with his music; did it become apparent to others in the bar mitspha years such as Christ's expereince in the Temple at age 12. Did it waiver as you experienced the jealousy of your brothers and what had to be a traumatic separation from your father? Was your faith in an articulated God or even more generic. Did you have to reconcile your faith with your loyalty to your Egyptian "master". And on and on. Bill France
What an honor to meet you sir! Can we talk? This meeting seems rather special, a true wonder. I see your white hair, shall we share while we walk? Almighty’s sense of humor, we can never sunder.
Well my brother, I’ve not had an opportunity like this. You see, Paul, is a handful. We even had a brief spat. I had to make way for him, his reputation gone amiss. Being older, I often saw the problem, smelled the rat.
Are you aware of the brief accounts left for us? Our Bible has some information in Galatians and Acts. Paul and you really got around, stirred up a fuss. Spirit brought you as witnesses to gospel facts.
Death’s transition completed, we don’t just hang out. Life without time ‘tis a joy that never ends, The accounts of Scripture bring truth about. Its’ references to me too brief, with sketchy bends.
Many years and miles Paul and I went about our mission, More touching moments occurred than can be gathered into a book. We were in on the ground floor as the Church made its transition. Luke captured in Acts, hints of our work, writing from his safe nook.
Was Paul really difficult? His temper fiery he couldn’t suppress? You seemed a fine partnership that served the mission well! What happened to make you separate, off with Mark to Cyprus? Thousands of people you met, billions since, your gospel story we tell.
I can tell that your culture hasn’t progressed beyond Athens past. Celebrity gossip, juicy tidbits seems to underline your every thought. What’s important has to do with Word Become Flesh making salvation fast. Creator and Spirit joined him in that main mission they sought.
How much time have you, I haven’t any on my side? We can walk and talk until you run out of energy or need sleep. Just don’t get distracted by fluff, truth’s river is wide. Let’s make these moments happen again, so precious, angels’ weep.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div. 13 March 2013
I'd like to talk to St. John The Evangelist. Judging by his writing he had a more mystical understanding of what went on. A question I might ask is, "what do you mean by 'word?'". More that I'd just like to hear what he had to say about his experiences.
ReplyDeleteI'd also like go to St. John Lateran in Rome with Mary Magdeline (she wasn't a prostitute) and find out what her impressions are of Christianity today. It would also be nice to find a cafe and have a chat over a glass or two of wine.
I expect that their experiences would be a little like my own- constantly trying to bring together what I experience with what I hope. Doug
Have you room for one more? I'd like to share the time too!
Deleteronaldo
Joseph, the son of Israel. How old were you when you had an accurate insight into your apparent faith? Obviously, faith is a gift from God, but did you mature into as a young child or did you grasp it in whole cloth the first time? Did you experience your faith in the manner of Mozart with his music; did it become apparent to others in the bar mitspha years such as Christ's expereince in the Temple at age 12. Did it waiver as you experienced the jealousy of your brothers and what had to be a traumatic separation from your father? Was your faith in an articulated God or even more generic. Did you have to reconcile your faith with your loyalty to your Egyptian "master". And on and on. Bill France
ReplyDeleteBring a digital recorder! What an exciting time.
Deleteronaldo
Joseph Barnabas
ReplyDeleteSon of Encouragement
What an honor to meet you sir! Can we talk?
This meeting seems rather special, a true wonder.
I see your white hair, shall we share while we walk?
Almighty’s sense of humor, we can never sunder.
Well my brother, I’ve not had an opportunity like this.
You see, Paul, is a handful. We even had a brief spat.
I had to make way for him, his reputation gone amiss.
Being older, I often saw the problem, smelled the rat.
Are you aware of the brief accounts left for us?
Our Bible has some information in Galatians and Acts.
Paul and you really got around, stirred up a fuss.
Spirit brought you as witnesses to gospel facts.
Death’s transition completed, we don’t just hang out.
Life without time ‘tis a joy that never ends,
The accounts of Scripture bring truth about.
Its’ references to me too brief, with sketchy bends.
Many years and miles Paul and I went about our mission,
More touching moments occurred than can be gathered into a book.
We were in on the ground floor as the Church made its transition.
Luke captured in Acts, hints of our work, writing from his safe nook.
Was Paul really difficult? His temper fiery he couldn’t suppress?
You seemed a fine partnership that served the mission well!
What happened to make you separate, off with Mark to Cyprus?
Thousands of people you met, billions since, your gospel story we tell.
I can tell that your culture hasn’t progressed beyond Athens past.
Celebrity gossip, juicy tidbits seems to underline your every thought.
What’s important has to do with Word Become Flesh making salvation fast.
Creator and Spirit joined him in that main mission they sought.
How much time have you, I haven’t any on my side?
We can walk and talk until you run out of energy or need sleep.
Just don’t get distracted by fluff, truth’s river is wide.
Let’s make these moments happen again, so precious, angels’ weep.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
13 March 2013