Words of Faith

Words of Faith

Spirit to Spirit Writing Project

The word Lent comes 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

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Palm Sunday

Here is another video this Sunday, of Palm Sunday Gregorian chants.  Meditate on your Palm Sunday service or read the story from Matthew 21:1-11 or use another resource that helps you understand the story further.  Write what comes to you or do a freewrite on Palm Sunday and see what comes fom that!  (note: a freewrite is when you write for a set time - the duration of the song - and don't lift the pen from paper (or fingers from keyboard) and write what comes, no matter how strange or irrelevant it may seem at the time.  When you get stuck, you can write 'I remember' or 'I think' and keep writing.  Then you can craft the beautiful chaos into something amazing.) 

3 comments:

  1. Open Wide the Door

    Doors shut a bit quieter, worshipers set their faces
    Luke’s account read with simple clear delivery, cadence,
    Word – Bells – Vocal soloes; combine to escape usual traces,
    Word Become Flesh again enfleshed incarnation given radiance.

    Palms wave, cross processes, this dramatic week of all weeks ensues.
    Characters come on stage in our minds, each an aspect of life.
    At times Christ, Judas, Peter, a maid, the cock, powerful views,
    Heart, spirit, body, mind, relationships pierced with graces’ knife.

    Dare we begin again to tell this story at history’s center?
    Can we risk betrayal, intimate touch, honesty that brings release?
    We can take our place, our universe, our world needs less banter.
    Almighty Trinity claims truth, includes hope for all, increase.

    A blossom of mercy bursts forth from our simple service.
    Into every nook, cranny, tiny space of life, Spirit asks us to go.
    We need not fear nor fret nor in the least bit be nervous,
    Redemption has come, all creation needs to know.

    Liturgy, the work of the people, transforms life for all time.
    Creator supports our efforts with energy, compassion, love,
    Our global village extends from arctic to tropics into every clime.
    Spirit directs a universal dance, lands on each as a cooing dove.

    ‘Pie Jesu’s’ caressing melody accompanies this day.
    Bell choir chords resolve deep in sanctuary’s heart.
    Story resounds, let us retrace the steps, set Holy Weeks’ tray.
    God helps us hold open our lives’ door, now we start.

    The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
    24.3.13

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  2. Palm Sunday

    "O'er all the way green palms and blossoms gay are strewn this day in festive preparation. O’er all
    the way..." The words and music run through my mind like a stuck record and I think of Jesus riding a
    donkey with its young colt beside them. What does the colt think? Surely the colt and mother know
    who this person is who rides on her back. They stay calm as crowds run down to the edge of the lane
    shouting and waving their fronds over his head. It is such a joyous celebration, one does not want to
    stop and think that these very people will cry out "Crucify him, crucify him!" on another day later in
    the week. The colt will carry Jesus in mind and heart for the rest of its life but will it be able to
    bear witness to all that it has seen?

    Clarene Aitken
    24.3.13

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    Replies
    1. a children's book , yep

      ronaldo

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