1st Week of Lent, February 22-25
February 22, Ash Wednesday
Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lenten season. Lent of course, is a 40 day period of time (not counting Sundays) counting back from Easter, that allows Christians a time for preparing and contemplating the meaning of Easter and Christ’s sacrifice for our lives. The ashes in Ash Wednesday refer to the practice of placing ashes on one’s forehead on this day to reflect penitence for this season. This year Ash Wednesday also falls on George Washington’s birthday. Washington was a miraculous and religious man.
The year was 1755 and the French and Indian war was at its height. Washington, already slightly seasoned in conflict, was now only 23 years old and had become an aid to a British General Edward Braddock and held the rank of Colonel. This famous battle took place near the Monongahela River which is now the Pittsburgh, Pa. area. On July 9, 1755 General Braddock’s troops with Washington and some 100 Virginia men were about 10 miles from Fort Duquesne ( Dew-Cane) when they were ambushed by the French and local Indians. Braddock and his troops controlled the low ground and were decimated. Mostly because they fought in the English style and wearing Red Coats which were simple targets for the enemy’s muskets. Early in the day Braddock had refused Washington’s’ council that “guerilla” tactics were needed and would have probably avoided defeat. Braddock was mortally wounded but Washington retreated with the general. Over 800 British/American troops were killed or wounded. In this battle, Washington showed great bravery by direct these troops on horseback unprotected, while the musket balls rained down. In fact, two horses were shot from under him and his tunic had four, that’s 4 bullet holes in it, but not one marked his skin!!!
As we enter the Lenten season what miraculous and unexpected things with the Lord be doing? I would guess that it happens all the time we just aren’t “tuned-in”. Why not make this part of your Lenten practice. Look, seek and you will find him unexpectedly ready to deepen and enrich this special season.
And now the rest of the story, in the fall of 1770, fifteen years after the battle while Washington was in Ohio a large group of Indians visited them. Among them was a great chief. He was there the day of the battle and told his braves to target Washington – “let you aim be certain and he dies.” The Chief realized that Washington was protected by a Great Spirit so he ceased fire on Washington (remember his tunic with the four holes). Before departing the Chief blessed Washington saying; “The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies – he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire.” How’s that for unexpected and miraculous? Now for the next 40 days see if you can find the unexpected and miraculous that God plans.
By Ron Fowler
February 23
The 7-UPs for the New Year!
Exodus 15-8 Psalm 119-116-117
Wake UP—Begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.
Dress UP—Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.
Shut UP—Watch your tongue. Don’t gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.
Stand UP—Take a stand for what you believe. Resist the evil. Do good.
Look UP—Open your eyes to the Lord. After all, He is your only Savior.
Reach UP—Spend time in prayer with your adorations, confessions, thanksgivings and supplications to the Lord.
Lift UP—Be available to help those in need—serving, supporting and sharing.
I receive the Oskaloosa UMC’s Newsletter—this was in it; I thought it was a good start to the New Year.
I pray, Lord, that we begin the New Year on an upbeat positive attitude. Praising you and thanking you for your many blessings. Amen.
By Ruby Harwood
February 24
STRING OF PEARLS
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 7:7 & 8 “Ask and it shall be given you, seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it will be opened.”
The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. “Oh please, Mommy, can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?”
Quickly the mother checked the price on the foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl’s up-turned face. “A dollar ninety-five. That’s almost two dollars. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday’s only a week away and you might get another dollar from Grandma.”
As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her piggy bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner she did more that than her share of chores. On her birthday, Grandma did giver her a crisp new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere even to Sunday School. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or took a bubble bath.
Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night whenever she was ready for bed he would stop what he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.
One night after he had finished the story he asked Jenny, “Do you love me?” “Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you.” “Then give me your pearls.” “Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have ‘Princess’-the white horse from my collection; the one with the pink tail…remember Daddy? The one you gave me! She’s my favorite.” “That’s okay Honey, Daddy loves you. Good night.” And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. Each night for several days her Daddy would ask “Do you love me?” and each time she said yes but offered up something else to her Daddy except the string of pearls. Each night he would say, “That’s ok, Daddy loves you” and brush her cheek with a kiss.
A few nights later, Jenny was sitting on the bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed she was trembling and a few tears were rolling down her face. “What is it, Jenny? What’s the matter?” Jenny said nothing but lifted her hand open it and handed up the little pearl necklace. With a quiver she said, “Here Daddy. It’s for you.” With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny’s kind Daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny!
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her a genuine treasure. So like our heavenly Father who is waiting for us to give up our dime-store stuff and seek Him first…so He can fling open the window of Heaven and pour out such a blessing that we will not have room to hold it. During this time of Lent, we should take time to consider; What are we holding on to?
Prayer: Father you always have the best in mind for each one of us. Help us to be willing to give up the dime-store stuff that keep us from getting the true and lasting gifts you have for each one of us. May we take time during Lent to draw close to you. Amen.
By Don Fowler from the Internet.
February 25
HEART
Jan-2011 started with Larry having his 1st ablation. Everything seemed to be going great 3 months out and ready to go off all meds and then his heart went back into atrial fibrillation. We headed back to the hospital in June to try again. Doctors had warned this could happen it’s not unusual to have to do this procedure twice or even 3 times. 1st time it was a 5 hour procedure and the 2nd time it only took 2-3 hours. It’s amazing how 2 Doctors working together can do something as amazing as going up your veins from mid-section across the chest and into the heart to do their work. 1 Doctor using a computer guides the other Doctor as to where he needs to be working. They let Larry’s heart stay out of rhythm while doing the procedure so they could see what part of the heart was firing too much (it did sound a little like they were talking about a tractor). How these 2 Doctors trusted and believed in each other made me think how we can make so much happen working together as a team in Christ.
I sat in the prep room and listened to all the stuff they would be doing during the procedure and knew there was nothing I could do to help but pray that God would watch over these Doctors and nurses during this procedure. There was a nurse who gave us update every 20 min while the Doctors were working. She was an awesome lady. Friendly and caring just like Larry and I were her own family. 5 hours or even 2 ½ hours give you a lot of time to think about all the ‘what ifs’? Then you tell yourself “where’s your faith? Trust in the Lord, Believe! You’re a Sunday school teacher and now you’ve got to walk the talk not just talk it.” We give thanks for those who said a little prayer those days for Larry and we give thanks to God that our prayers were answered. Larry is fully recovered and off all meds and going strong again. We give thanks for his good health and those who made that possible.
Dear Lord, We need to always BELIEVE IN YOU, TRUST YOU and HAVE FAITH in all that you do. Help us remember not only to ask for Your help but listen for Your answers and be thankful for all that we receive from You.
By: Reta Kitterman
