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

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Kindred Spirits in the New Testament


Lenten Writing Prompt #26
Who is a disciple of Jesus or other biblical character in the New Testament that you identify with?  Zaccheus? Sisters Mary or Martha? Lazarus?  Jairus's daughter (or Jairus?) Pick someone who interests you and who you feel a kindred relationship to in the New Testament and write about the connection.
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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 24, 2015 at 12:20 PM

    Self-actualization and the Geresene Demoniac. Doug Millar
    This is my favorite story. Jesus and his disciples are out tramping around the countryside. They hear about and see a young guy who is scaring people and hanging out in the cemetery. He was driven into craziness by the local townsfolk who insisted on having and selling pigs, forbidden by Jewish Law. The affront to God worked on him and he fell apart.
    He’s a mess. Jesus encounters him and “calls his name out of him” and immediately he “comes to himself”. The demons leave him and enter the pigs. The pigs run into the lake and drown. The guy is now much more settled out and wants to join the disciples. Jesus tells him to go back to live in the town. A town of ex pig farmers at this point. Nothing more is said about the young man. But one can’t help wanting to hear more of the story.
    The lesson to me has always been simple- when in doubt, remember who you are. Of course, who you are isn’t completely who you were, nor are you necessarily who you think you are. Changing your location or groups you associate with can change you as well. Capturing yourself can be quite a challenge. For me, love and kindness are a kind of relational RTV glue that both binds us and acts as a buffer between us. I keep a tube handy.
    Over the years, I have accumulated quite a few names. I was originally James, but adopted and renamed Douglas. I have been Dougie, Douglas B. when my mother was angry at me, Dudley in elementary school, Doug , Pookie among my surfer friends, K6JEY among ham friends, Dad, Honey, Grandpa, Mr. Millar, Pastor Doug, Pastor Millar Dr. Doug, and Dr. D. Mostly now, it is just Doug, honey and grandpa. Recently my wife and I went to Fairbanks to see the aurora at the end of winter, and my name changed again. It was used in a bar where I was playing guitar, it was used in a log cabin where we stayed. It was used while we were dog mushing at 30 below zero.
    Our family had a 1957 Station Wagon for many years and went on many vacations all over the West. On the back windows we put stickers from all the places where we traveled. Maybe I am like that. I am a 1944 model Doug from Columbus, pretty high mileage, but mostly working. Travel stickers on all the back windows and a crazed driver in the front looking for one or two more stickers and a chance to find out more about himself.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousMarch 24, 2015 at 11:39 PM

      Please add "buffer between us, when we aren't quite ourselves. I..." DM

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  2. glowin56March 26, 2015 at 8:10 AM

    "Capturing yourself can be quite a challenge." What a wonderful story, and, for me, timely. Thank you.

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  3. AnonymousMarch 26, 2015 at 2:29 PM

    Are you who you say you are?
    Is it really you?
    Prove it!
    Show yourself.
    I want to see.
    I need to see.
    Show me!
    Really?
    No, actually, I need more than that.
    Can I touch?
    Let me touch.
    How can I really know if it's you?
    Please!

    I am too much like Thomas.

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