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
Saturday, March 15, 2014
St. Macklemore?
Write about a secular song that you you use for
spiritual renewal and purpose. Fee free to include a link to a recording (or you tube) of that song.
“No One Is Alone”, by Stephen Sondheim in the musical Into the Woods is one of my favorite songs, and has a powerful parallel into my spiritual beliefs. When the song came out, it met with some criticism from people who claimed that they were indeed alone in a way that Sondheim could never know. They didn’t get it. God is with us everywhere, yes, but also as the song claims – and this is especially important in this day and age – ALL your actions affect others. Your decisions and actions affect others in ways that you will never know. We are all connected by strands of the Holy Spirit or if you don’t believe in that, we are connected by the Butterfly Effect. Take your pick. You are not alone. Truly. And also be open to witches being right and giants being good. People can surprise you. Mother cannot guide you, still you’re not alone. God is with you, and we are all here in this world together, living lives that affect each other in ways that we can and can’t possibly imagine. Make the best choices you can and remember that people are here beside you and you are not alone. This is a clip that is not the original Broadway or London cast, but I really love how these singers characterize this song (it's also a clip from the Rosie O'donnell show, so don't be surprised when she comes out at the end : ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-3YJijA5Rw
I think for me Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez has always spoken to me about who I am better than any other music I know. I used to be able to play about half of it. Being "inside" the music like that allows you to express one's self as well as hear one's self. Here is a good You Tube version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye-FvKCZp3s Doug Millar
"Shower The People" [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhrojt3Cc2Q ]
You can play the game and you can act out the part, even though you know it wasn't written for you. Tell me, how can you stand there with your broken heart ashamed of playing the fool? One thing can lead to another; it doesn't take any sacrifice. Oh, father and mother, sister and brother, if it feels nice, don't think twice, just shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna work out fine if you only will do as I say, just shower the people you love with love, show them the way you feel. Things are gonna be much better if you only will.
You can run but you cannot hide, this is widely known. Tell me, what you plan to do with your foolish pride when you're all by yourself, alone. Once you tell somebody the way that you feel, you can feel it beginning to ease. I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel always getting the grease. Better to shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna be just fine if you only will what I'd like to do to you. Shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna be much better if you only will.
Shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel. You'll feel better right away. Don't take much to do, sell your pride. They say in every life, they say the rain must fall, just like pouring rain, make it rain. Make it rain, love, love, love is sunshine, oh yes, Make it rain, love, love, love is sunshine. Everybody, everybody.
James Taylor
Some parts of the road we travel alone. No one can learn our lessons for us. This song is a joyful statement of the shared experience. Love as the basis for Creator’s creating, Word Become Flesh’s lifestyle, Spirits joyous dance can be known by all. Our place is to share honestly, openly, passionately and poignantly.
Find a beloved, share the song. The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div. 15.3.14
“No One Is Alone”, by Stephen Sondheim in the musical Into the Woods is one of my favorite songs, and has a powerful parallel into my spiritual beliefs. When the song came out, it met with some criticism from people who claimed that they were indeed alone in a way that Sondheim could never know. They didn’t get it. God is with us everywhere, yes, but also as the song claims – and this is especially important in this day and age – ALL your actions affect others. Your decisions and actions affect others in ways that you will never know. We are all connected by strands of the Holy Spirit or if you don’t believe in that, we are connected by the Butterfly Effect. Take your pick. You are not alone. Truly. And also be open to witches being right and giants being good. People can surprise you. Mother cannot guide you, still you’re not alone. God is with you, and we are all here in this world together, living lives that affect each other in ways that we can and can’t possibly imagine. Make the best choices you can and remember that people are here beside you and you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteThis is a clip that is not the original Broadway or London cast, but I really love how these singers characterize this song (it's also a clip from the Rosie O'donnell show, so don't be surprised when she comes out at the end : )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-3YJijA5Rw
I think for me Rodrigo's Concerto de Aranjuez has always spoken to me about who I am better than any other music I know. I used to be able to play about half of it. Being "inside" the music like that allows you to express one's self as well as hear one's self. Here is a good You Tube version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye-FvKCZp3s Doug Millar
ReplyDeleteDefinitely you!
ReplyDelete"Shower The People"
ReplyDelete[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhrojt3Cc2Q ]
You can play the game and you can act out the part,
even though you know it wasn't written for you.
Tell me, how can you stand there with your broken heart ashamed of playing the fool?
One thing can lead to another; it doesn't take any sacrifice.
Oh, father and mother, sister and brother, if it feels nice, don't think twice,
just shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna work out fine if you only will do as I say, just
shower the people you love with love, show them the way you feel.
Things are gonna be much better if you only will.
You can run but you cannot hide, this is widely known.
Tell me, what you plan to do with your foolish pride when you're all by yourself, alone.
Once you tell somebody the way that you feel, you can feel it beginning to ease.
I think it's true what they say about the squeaky wheel always getting the grease.
Better to shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna be just fine if you only will what I'd like to do to you.
Shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
Things are gonna be much better if you only will.
Shower the people you love with love, show them the way that you feel.
You'll feel better right away.
Don't take much to do, sell your pride.
They say in every life, they say the rain must fall, just like pouring rain, make it rain.
Make it rain, love, love, love is sunshine, oh yes,
Make it rain, love, love, love is sunshine. Everybody, everybody.
James Taylor
Some parts of the road we travel alone. No one can learn our lessons for us. This song is a joyful statement of the shared experience. Love as the basis for Creator’s creating, Word Become Flesh’s lifestyle, Spirits joyous dance can be known by all. Our place is to share honestly, openly, passionately and poignantly.
Find a beloved, share the song.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
15.3.14