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 1, 2015

Sunday Picture Prompt: Transformation

Sundays are traditionally a Sabbath from the observation and fasting of Lent.  They are not counted in the 40 days.  Instead of your usual writing prompt, on Sundays, a picture prompt will be posted.  You can respond in the comments if you feel inspired.

The story and original source for that project is here:
(Note: A picture prompt was not posted last Sunday, so this is the first one)
Posted by at

9 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 1, 2015 at 3:27 PM

    Out of the blue, on Ebay I found a Nordland Lutheran plate from 1976, when I was pastor. Yes, I bought it. Doug Millar

    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTQ2M1gxNjAw/z/fUoAAOxyY3ZRk9xm/$T2eC16VHJHYFFkQcpMKHBRk9)mO+bw~~60_57.JPG

    Here's the back which may be more interesting-
    http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/1IkAAOxydkZRk9xM/$T2eC16ZHJHcFFkZhJFSvBRk9)MYq5w~~60_57.JPG?rt=nc

    ReplyDelete
  2. Larry MorrisMarch 1, 2015 at 10:39 PM

    Red and green and blue and yellow

    Every five years they painted that old church.
    It was clock work,
    Every fifth year.
    They had been doing this for seventy five years
    Forty years ago they had trouble.
    They could not agree on the color.
    White or ivory? They couldn't agree.
    They argued until they were blue
    And then they prayed.
    Finally they decided to cast lots
    And let that person choose.
    White it was! Yea!

    Five years later
    They prayed anf cast lots again
    And someone else chose the color
    Yea!

    Thirty five years later it was time to paint
    So they had a party to cast lots
    For the seventh time
    The Peterson boy's name was drawn...
    Richard was twenty three years old
    But his mind had stopped at age seven.
    Still a child...
    The congregation had taken Richie on
    And loved him
    And accepted him as a child of God.

    Then
    When they asked him what color
    They should paint the church...
    And he said
    "Blue and red and yellow and green
    Cause God loves all of us"
    They got very quiet.
    They all turned and looked at each other.

    Who would tell him
    That that is not a church color?
    Who would tell him
    To try again?
    They all waited, until from the back of the room
    Bernice Walker a ninty two year old widow
    Rose to her feet and said
    "Yes God does love us all Richie
    That's the best reason I've heard for having a church
    Red and green and blue and yellow
    Will remind me of that for the rest of my life
    Let's go the paint store
    I'm buying!

    The congregation let it happen
    Even though they were embarrassed at first.
    But as they told their neighbors
    the story of Richie
    And as they told them that God loves everyone
    They began to love those colors
    And they came to
    Love each other in new ways too

    Richie had taught them
    A very adult thing
    By being Richie.
    Yea!



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. glowin56March 5, 2015 at 6:15 AM

      This poem drew me in with the pacing, the story line, it's imagery. And all of it around such a powerful truth.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 9:48 AM

      well said.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMarch 3, 2015 at 11:47 AM

    Quiet laughter. Bright-eyed wonder. Absorbing. Filling. Endless curiosity. Innocent mischief. Gentle. Kind. Caring. Uninhibited. Hugs. Kisses. Hide and seek. Tag. Bike rides. Catch. Tickle fights. Belly laughs. Bare feet in the grass. In the sand. In the icy water. In the warm water. Bubbles. Giggles. Soft cuddles. Goodnight Moon. I love you's. Contentment. Peace.

    A look. A glare. A frown. A word. Many words. Misunderstanding. Misunderstood. Harsh. Angry. Hurt words. Hurting words. Isolating. Ignorant words. Fearful words. Tears. Pain. Confusion. Frustration. Blame. Guilt. Sorrow. Grief. Cruel. Bitter. Hard. Mistrustful. Scared. Scarred. Hardened. 

    The Word. Love. 

    Healed. Redeemed. Renewed. Forgiven. Forgiving. Freed. Accepted. Grafted. Adopted. Loved. Restored. Softened. Kinder. Gentler. Peaceful. Pleasure. Joy.

    Transformed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 9:49 AM

      You've captured the paradox we live within.

      Delete
  4. Larry MorrisMarch 3, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownMarch 12, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Lent 2, Sunday
    Holy One’s House
    (picture prompt)

    Canvas for a mural,
    Explosion of delight,
    Invitation to life,
    Joyful expression of grace,
    Momentary story board,
    Community gathering place, alive and well,
    Outside captures a minute bit of inside wonder,
    Permission from the Creator of All to rejoice,
    Spirit’s whimsy and joyful presence,
    Word Made Flesh encourages public risk taking,
    How to use those partial paint buckets,
    Which part of traditional don’t you get?
    A really big statement of a flower sort,
    Thanks be to Holy One for this place.

    The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
    12 March 2015

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