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
I don't tend to say much. I prefer to do what I believe rather than talk about it. That has always been more successful for me. I also seem to have been more interested in helping others find their way without burdening them with my way. My model is that I am a kind of gardener whose main job is the judicious application of manure. (Old rotting ideas that are regenerated in a new day with a new plant.) Doug Millar
It is so easy to have faith once you have grown old. You have made all your decisions and mistakes and paid with the consequences. Your work is done. Now you are free to pass the Word along to others. What have I done? Do I do anything? I write a Christian column for my church sometimes. I host a Holy Communion Service at my apartment complex once a month. I post a notice in the front hall that gives me an opportunity to invite other unknowns to come. I have a bulletin board outside my apartment in the hall and I use it to celebrate Christian Holidays all year round. Most of my conversations about my beliefs are with other Christians. Oh, I see! I play it safe! I think in the future I will widen my efforts a little, still playing it safe. Maybe, testing the waters; But I know a few people I would like to see in Heaven. If I speak carefully and gauge the reaction correctly, I can tell others without turning them away. As I get better at holding their attention, maybe I could go into more detail. And maybe, instead of talking about it in future terms, I should go out today and talk to the lady down the hall who doesn't believe in anything. She is having a terrible time and goes through so much more hurt and suffering than she would have to if she knew. Come on little puppy. Let's put your leash on and go for a walk. Maybe we will stop by Alice's and visit for a while. Clarene Aitken 28.3.14
His mother had taken him to Sunday School as a child and to worship. He was in the youth group at the church for a while, even went to camp. Then he decided it wasn’t true. He decided the Bible was full of fairy tales or, on his good days he thought that the church was simply a safe place for naïve people.
He had a real life to live. He was going to have fun. He had real decisions to make, real problems to solve real people to deal with. He didn’t have time … for fairy tales.
As the years went by he did make significant decisions he dealt with people in ways that tested him and he faced significant struggles. Through it all he was successful in many ways and had the things that success brings.
Still, he needed someone to lean on. He needed somewhere to find hope. and he remembered where to look, so he did. It was Easter.
He used to doubt until he didn’t anymore
(More and more I think I just tell people stories and let them find what they find.....)
I don't tend to say much. I prefer to do what I believe rather than talk about it. That has always been more successful for me. I also seem to have been more interested in helping others find their way without burdening them with my way. My model is that I am a kind of gardener whose main job is the judicious application of manure. (Old rotting ideas that are regenerated in a new day with a new plant.)
ReplyDeleteDoug Millar
I like this green thumb approach and metaphor Doug.
DeleteMarlene
Faith
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to have faith once you have grown old. You have made all your decisions and mistakes and paid with the consequences. Your work is done. Now you are free to pass the Word along to others.
What have I done?
Do I do anything?
I write a Christian column for my church sometimes. I host a Holy Communion Service at my apartment complex once a month. I post a notice in the front hall that gives me an opportunity to invite other unknowns to come. I have a bulletin board outside my apartment in the hall and I use it to celebrate Christian Holidays all year round.
Most of my conversations about my beliefs are with other Christians.
Oh, I see!
I play it safe!
I think in the future I will widen my efforts a little, still playing it safe. Maybe, testing the waters; But I know a few people I would like to see in Heaven. If I speak carefully and gauge the reaction correctly, I can tell others without turning them away. As I get better at holding their attention, maybe I could go into more detail. And maybe, instead of talking about it in future terms, I should go out today and talk to the lady down the hall who doesn't believe in anything. She is having a terrible time and goes through so much more hurt and suffering than she would have to if she knew.
Come on little puppy. Let's put your leash on and go for a walk. Maybe we will stop by Alice's and visit for a while.
Clarene Aitken
28.3.14
Until He Didn’t Anymore by Pastor Larry Morris
ReplyDeleteHe used to believe
until he didn’t anymore.
His mother had taken him to Sunday School as a child
and to worship.
He was in the youth group at the church for a while,
even went to camp.
Then he decided it wasn’t true.
He decided the Bible was full of fairy tales
or, on his good days
he thought that the church
was simply a safe place
for naïve people.
He had a real life to live.
He was going to have fun.
He had real decisions to make,
real problems to solve
real people to deal with.
He didn’t have time …
for fairy tales.
As the years went by
he did make significant decisions
he dealt with people in ways that tested him
and he faced significant struggles.
Through it all he was successful in many ways
and had the things that success brings.
Still, he needed someone to lean on.
He needed somewhere to find hope.
and he remembered where to look,
so he did.
It was Easter.
He used to doubt
until he didn’t anymore
(More and more I think I just tell people stories and let them find what they find.....)