Lent 2025 ~ New Vision

[Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you." Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.] Mark 10:46-52 NASB

Jesus is always calling to us; He desires that we have a relationship with Him. I wonder how many of us are really like this blind man? Do we desire the mercy that Jesus offers? Is our faith truly evident? And maybe most of all, I wonder, do we really KNOW what we want from Jesus? And, if we know, do we boldly ask? When Jesus answers us, do we respond like this man with new vision?

Our sacrifice of praise ~

Ask Jesus for new vision ~ and follow Him on the road! ~dho

All rights reserved, copyright Donna Oswalt 2020 BreathingRoomForMySoul.com

Lent 2025 ~ Transformation

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. Galatians 5:25 MSG

The heart of Lent, a spiritual tradition beginning in the 4^th century church, creates another opportunity for discipleship. Focusing on self-examination and selfless giving can realign the Believer’s worldview. A time of less busy, of simplicity, of renewed hunger for the Word, of seeing with new eyes can refresh the spirit. This season of spiritual renewal is not required in the Scriptures, but its possibilities can enrich living God’s way, the life of the Spirit.

The world constantly bombards our minds with boredom and pride, grief and anger, ambition and regret. But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic, holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians:5:22-23/MSG When we truly encounter the Bread of Life, we will be transformed! The possibilities are endless.

Jesus, teacher and example ~ I long to live more like You! Stop the chaos inside my mind, still my hurried days, feed my hunger for more.  – dho

All rights reserved ~ Copyright 2016 by Donna Oswalt    

Lent 2025 ~ Stillness

 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:7 NIV

The world is full of noise; it delights in its fullness of distractions. Time for stillness eludes us; it escapes our attempts at quiet. In fact, we have become so programmed to noise and multi-tasking several technologies at the same time, we rarely recognize these as distractions. Rather, we question the moments of quiet and stillness, "What, no WiFi? Is the Internet down? How long will the cable be off? Why is this download so slow? Wonder why no one is texting me? Did my cell phone die? Where is my Ipad?"

Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness. Meister Eckhart

We value busyness; we do not respect stillness! We are afraid of the stillness; we are missing God in the hurry. We have grown accustomed to fast; we are drowning in distractions. Often patience or waiting feels like the enemy. This endless loop of busy and hurry interferes with our intimate relationship with Jesus we should be growing. Be still and wait!

Our sacrifice of praise ~
As our sacrifice of praise, we should slow down and seek stillness. We would discover we are not alone; rather, God is patiently waiting for us. ~dho

All rights reserved, copyright Donna Oswalt 2020 BreathingRoomForMySoul.com

Ash Wednesday - Journey of Renewal

 

“It’s tough in the desert. It’s bewildering.

It’s destructive. It’s hellish. Yet the testimony

of the Old Testament, and ever more strongly,

of the New, is that out of it comes new growth,

new insight, new certainty that a God of love

is at home among us." Charles Elliott

This day, Ash Wednesday, Christians around the world come to His altar to receive the mark of a sinner. It symbolically reminds us that God alone is Sovereign; God alone is Grace. We may search but can never find salvation or peace or eternity without Jesus Christ. It is His Forgiveness we need, His Presence we seek, His Love we offer. Today begins a journey of renewal, a time to reflect on our own individual faith-walk.

Read 1 John 1:1-10

If we claim that we experience a shared life with Him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth - we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the Light, God Himself being the Light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.  1 John 1:6-7 The Message

Consider this!

• Where does the "Light" originate?
• If believers are "forgiven" why do we still stand before God marked as a sinner?
• Does my living reflect Jesus?

Light of the World ~ You have come that we might love. We are sinners, but You are Grace. We confess You are Absolute Truth. Dress us in righteousness, forgiven and redeemed. May our words of living reflect the Word of Life. Amen. ~dho

All rights reserved ~ Copyright 2009 by Donna Oswalt