The Valley of Vision

The Valley of Vision [from The Valley of Vision]

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.

What are some practical things I can do to make Lent meaningful?

One of the best things you can do is be sensitive to the spirit of Lent through intentionally emphasizing positions, actions, moods and disciplines as you go about your normal worship, reading, devotions and prayer times.

Worship Positions: Try reading the Bible, praying, worshipping in a different position - i.e. kneeling, prostrate, bowed head.
Actions: Take some extra time in confession, reflection, prayer, fasting, lament, self examination (spiritual life, family, business, relationships, areas of service, finances, mission) - take the needed time to allow the Spirit to minister.
Moods: Lent has a quietness, reflectiveness, simplicity, self-examination, in-ward focus - again be still and reflective so that the Spirit can equip and shape and transform you.

The Season of Lent

While we have begun the season of Lent, maybe you are not sure what this is. Here is a little primer on Lent.

The season of Lent is a season of worship for both personal and corporate spiritual renewal in preparation for celebration of the central event in Christianity, the death and resurrection of Christ. It is a time for particular reflection on and study of God’s word, for meditation, for prayer, and for self-examination.

Lent, traditionally begins quietly with ashes [Ash Wedneday] and builds in intensity as the observance of Christ’s death and resurrection grow closer. Ultimately, the purpose of Lent is a pilgrimage [this is why we are calling this set of readings/reflections: Journey to the Cross] to see the Gospel in motion in a convicting and empowering way.

DAY 4 :: 28 February [Saturday]

DAY 4

READ:
Genesis 22

REFLECT:
Reflect on Abraham’s learning to hear and trust God’s voice

• How great is your willingness to risk when you know God is leading?
• Is there an area where God is asking you to step out in faith?
• What might that look like?

RESPOND:
Invite the Lord to teach you trust and learning to let go of things that compete with allegiance to Him.

DAY 3 :: 27 February [Friday]

DAY 3

READ:
Psalm 96; John 18:36

REFLECT:
From John 18

• What does it mean that you have been made for another place?

From Psalm 96:

• What is true of our God?
• What is He like?
• What are some obstacles that keep you from the unbridled worship of God

RESPOND:
Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any blockage points.
Acknowledge them to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.
Then worship God for who He is.

DAY 2 :: 26 February [Thursday]

DAY 2

READ:
John 10:1-10

REFLECT:
God is always more at work than we think...

• Where do you sense He is at work in your life right now?
• Where do you see God at work around you?

RESPOND:
Pray the words of Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

DAY 1 :: 25 February [Wednesday]

DAY 1

READ:
John 10:1-3

REFLECT:

• What does it mean to you personally, that God call you by name?
• What is God’s heart for you?
• How does knowing God’s heart for you affect your life?
• Is your experience of God an adventure or a set of obligations?
  
• It is life and freedom or just making it through the day?

RESPOND:
As you journey to the Cross with Jesus over these next 40 days, invite God to draw you closer to Him; open your eyes to see Him and what He is doing; and to pour life of Jesus into you.

JOURNEY TO THE CROSS & THE SEASON OF LENT

The season of Lent is traditionally a period of meditation, prayer and spiritual reflection and renewal among Christians. It begins on Ash Wednesday [25 February this year], following what is called Shrove Tuesday – or in many, including our house – Pancake Tuesday. It continues for 40 days [not counting Sundays] until the Saturday before Easter.

Lent comes from an old English word meaning “spring” with Germanic root meaning “lengthen.” It is a season of preparation, of awakening. It’s a time of preparation to celebrate with great joy the resurrection.

Some people give up something for lent. We'll talk a little about that in a couple of days. But if you feel the need to give up chocolate, please feel free to send it to me!

40 Days

Lent lasts for 40 days [not counting Sundays]. The number 40, in the Bible, often signifies initiation, preparation and purification. For example, there is...

• Noah in Genesis 7:4-17;
  
• the Israelites in Exodus 16;
  
• Moses in Exodus 24:15-18, Deuteronomy 2:7;
  
• the spies in Numbers 13:21-15;
  
• the induction of the kingdom in 1 Samuel 2:11;
  
• the preparation of Ninevah in Jonah 3:4-5;
  
• Jesus in the wilderness in Mark 1:9-13;
  
• Jesus between the Resurrection and the Ascension in Acts 1:3.

welcome

Welcome to occweb.blogspot.com.
Over the next few weeks, I will be posting some lent devotions / reflections / quotations / questions / observations / and other assorted notes.
I invite you to join with me on this Journey to the Cross
as we focus on the meaning of the Cross for our lives today.