Lovingly Courageous
Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume
made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it,
wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
John 12:3 (NLT)
Dear friend,
Above, you’ll find a wonderful song, Giving You The Best I Got, composed and sung by Anita Baker. Recently
I’ve been so inspired by others who’ve been giving the best they got, like Lori Proulx donating one of her kidneys
this past Wednesday and our Deacons donating funds to get me to Florida to visit Deb & Sharon Grzyb-Murphy
and thinking back on the gifts of others and all of us together, making an extraordinarily positive
difference in the lives of our communities in our little corner of the world.
And so, our lectionary reading for April 6, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, seems so appropriate this year.
From the Gospel according to John, it’s the story of Jesus going to his friend Lazarus’ home, soon after
Jesus has just given the best he got, raising him to new life. Also invited to that dinner party is Judas, one of
the twelve, Jesus’ friend, yet a friendship which was complicated. And there was Martha, working hard,
feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders as she’s the one making dinner and serving. I mean, who
wouldn’t feel a bit of stress should Jesus, in the flesh, decide to come by for dinner and you’ve appointed
yourself in charge of festivities? Amidst all this new life, complicated relationship and busyness of preparation
“Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed
Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance.” (12:3).
Each one, Jesus, Judas, Lazarus, Martha and Mary were lovingly
and courageously giving the best they had to give at the time.
These days, as in those days, it can be challenging to know how best to give of ourselves.
Then, occasionally, like Lori donating a kidney, the lovingly courageous action is obvious,
and we wonder, “where, how and when will my lovingly courageous action come?”
By the prayer I’ve placed an awesome motivational video by the actor
Matthew McConaughey titled Life Is Not Easy. I love it, and hope you will also.
As I contemplate Tuesday evening adult discussion group material for the 2025/2026 and
2026/2027 program years I find myself focusing on four values of Stoic philosophy;
Courage, Discipline, Justice and Wisdom and those who have done their best to live
these values in times of great challenge, times like these in which we live.
Through all times, may we simply continue to follow The Way of Jesus, giving
the best we got for all our neighbors and all the world around us.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it,
wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
John 12:3 (NLT)
Dear friend,
Above, you’ll find a wonderful song, Giving You The Best I Got, composed and sung by Anita Baker. Recently
I’ve been so inspired by others who’ve been giving the best they got, like Lori Proulx donating one of her kidneys
this past Wednesday and our Deacons donating funds to get me to Florida to visit Deb & Sharon Grzyb-Murphy
and thinking back on the gifts of others and all of us together, making an extraordinarily positive
difference in the lives of our communities in our little corner of the world.
And so, our lectionary reading for April 6, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, seems so appropriate this year.
From the Gospel according to John, it’s the story of Jesus going to his friend Lazarus’ home, soon after
Jesus has just given the best he got, raising him to new life. Also invited to that dinner party is Judas, one of
the twelve, Jesus’ friend, yet a friendship which was complicated. And there was Martha, working hard,
feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders as she’s the one making dinner and serving. I mean, who
wouldn’t feel a bit of stress should Jesus, in the flesh, decide to come by for dinner and you’ve appointed
yourself in charge of festivities? Amidst all this new life, complicated relationship and busyness of preparation
“Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed
Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair and the house was filled with the fragrance.” (12:3).
Each one, Jesus, Judas, Lazarus, Martha and Mary were lovingly
and courageously giving the best they had to give at the time.
These days, as in those days, it can be challenging to know how best to give of ourselves.
Then, occasionally, like Lori donating a kidney, the lovingly courageous action is obvious,
and we wonder, “where, how and when will my lovingly courageous action come?”
By the prayer I’ve placed an awesome motivational video by the actor
Matthew McConaughey titled Life Is Not Easy. I love it, and hope you will also.
As I contemplate Tuesday evening adult discussion group material for the 2025/2026 and
2026/2027 program years I find myself focusing on four values of Stoic philosophy;
Courage, Discipline, Justice and Wisdom and those who have done their best to live
these values in times of great challenge, times like these in which we live.
Through all times, may we simply continue to follow The Way of Jesus, giving
the best we got for all our neighbors and all the world around us.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor John
Holy Spirit,
center us, we pray.
Clear our thoughts
from all distraction.
Calm our minds
from all competing voices.
God,
thank you for life.
Like Lazarus stepping out of the tomb,
so may we step out into new life.
Jesus,
like Mary, sitting and listening to your every word,
offering her expensive perfume,
the best she had to offer,
so may we sit and listen,
as you inspire us to give
the best of us,
to you,
so through you
all may live.
Jesus,
forgive us,
whenever we neglect to recognize
the fullness of everything we’re created to be.
We follow you now
as we pray to do the lovingly courageous thing,
performing actions of lovingkindness,
doing what we can with the gifts we have
for the saving of the world.
Amen.
____________________________________________
center us, we pray.
Clear our thoughts
from all distraction.
Calm our minds
from all competing voices.
God,
thank you for life.
Like Lazarus stepping out of the tomb,
so may we step out into new life.
Jesus,
like Mary, sitting and listening to your every word,
offering her expensive perfume,
the best she had to offer,
so may we sit and listen,
as you inspire us to give
the best of us,
to you,
so through you
all may live.
Jesus,
forgive us,
whenever we neglect to recognize
the fullness of everything we’re created to be.
We follow you now
as we pray to do the lovingly courageous thing,
performing actions of lovingkindness,
doing what we can with the gifts we have
for the saving of the world.
Amen.
____________________________________________
Become the Love you Seek!
JOURNEY on The Way
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BECOME a Light of Peace,
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