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
I know someone who actually has a large cross which she drapes with purple as her prayer center during the season of Lent. As I read this prompt for today, I remember the “virtuous woman” of Proverbs 31. It is stated that “She makes herself coverings;
ReplyDeleteher clothing is fine linen and purple.”
As I pictured her, clothing herself, I recalled the Scripture from Isaiah 61:10a, where we read, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
I will focus on that robe of righteousness with which Christ has clothed me, as I sing the 4th verse of "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"by Edward Mote, 1797-1874.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Just wonderful. I love your perspective on this : )
DeleteRoyal Penitent
ReplyDelete[Nettleton]
Finest shade of lilac raiment, servant cloth for all to see,
Color of our penitent journey, as we travel t’ward the tree,
Sure and certain are your qualities, ancient days do you remind,
Pilgrim band now walks the pathway, sin’s tight cords God will unbind.
Sign of sorrow you tattoo us, those we meet can note our quest.
In our sure tread we progress on, Spirit brings us nightly rest.
Servants all, we gather more in, looking for our daily chore,
Sweat and toil our joyful labor, love and justice, need we more?
Word Made Flesh walks alongside us, brings each step a regal tone.
Pilgrimage throughout this season, Shepherd’s close, we’re not alone.
Wounds so deep we cannot fathom, Sin’s deep lash marks our backs,
Balm of Heaven soothe our spirits, Your kind touch this world lacks.
Source of All, You color our days, painting each with nothing rude.
Help us see You ‘midst the turmoil, lift us from our purple mood.
Real our effort, true our purpose, for this season bless our days.
When the tomb we see before us, journey’s end in Risen’s rays!
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
7 March 2014
Maybe a little off topic but I was just noticing today how often I've thought of my life as being so very mundane, ordinary and normal and I wondered where all the excitement went. Then something happens that throws everything out of balance and then I can't wait for the day when everything returns to that normal once again. I guess we're never really satisfied with what we've got.
ReplyDeletePat Mason
True Confessions:
ReplyDeleteWhat should I drape a metaphoric purple cloth over in my lif-oh, I got a text.
What should I-hold on kids, I have to send your picture to the grandparents
What should I drape a me-anything happening on Facebook?
What-anyone post to the Lenten Blog yet?
What should I drape a metaphoric purp-omg, PIN IT!!
What should I drape a metaphoric purple cloth ov-7 emails I need to respond to:
1 from Mustard Seeds
1 from a friend in need
1 from the first teacher
1 from the second school
1 from an editor (yippee!)
1 from my husband
1 that is junk mail
Then I notice the case on my phone.
It is, and I swear this is true, purple.
Wow.
You’re not even going to make me guess at this one, Lord?
I guess you must be telling me something pretty important then.
Thanks.
INSIDE
ReplyDeleteThe magic, mystery and royalty
of purple fits into Lent I see
And attributes beyond fit too for why
the color's important to me
I wore it long before I was old
though there was a royal connection
way, way back I've been told
Luxury, power and ambition,
to me, not so much
Okay, maybe there
is a slight touch
Associated with Crown Chakra,
the top of the head,
nervous system and brain
it uplifts and calms, it's said
Here in the purple
I cry, pray and worry
for the wisdom, good judgement,
and creativity to hurry
And sitting in the middle
of my purple room
ideas, inspiration and hope
come to dispel gloom
My brain, my soul, and
my heart are draped
In compassionate purple
that readjusts my shape
Here, for now, in my purple pajamas,
under my purple comforter
in spite of whatever is going on out here,
I'm good
with my God
in my purple room.
Marlene Obie
Friday, March 7, 2014
ReplyDeletePURPLE HIBERNATION
I thought I'd try it
I have a small altar
filled with special things
to help me focus on God
A cross, an icon
a picture of a Sainted Grandmother
some special meditation stones
and prayer beads
I covered them with a purple cloth
for Lent
and waited
Almost immediately
I didn't like it
It didn't feel right
It didn't look right
Something was missing
It was uncomfortable
like an itchy sweater
or a stiff collar
I wanted to take it off
and get back to normal
Then, I remembered
it was Lent
a Time of Preparation
I didn't need to feel comfortable
This discomfort is to remind me
to get ready
and to remember The Great Agony
Christ had to bear
in order to free us
from our sins and
from Eternal Death
I think I can stand
6 weeks of discomfort
to remind me of
God's most Wonderful Gift
to me and to all
Salvation
for His sake
Sara