The highs and the lows

Today is Palm Sunday!

“Hosanna in the highest!” they shouted.

And the week continues with so many highs and lows. There are many private and public moments and so much heartache, pain, and disappointment.

This Holy Week, I encourage you to imagine you are in each scenario. What does today’s celebration feel like? Where are you in the crowd? What do you see and hear? What’s the weather like? What kind of scents do you smell? Are you getting jostled by the crowd? Has someone stepped on your sandaled toe or pushed up against you to get a closer look?

Step into this week as if you are a part of it. There is a lot happening. Be a part of it.

And the crowds replied, “It’s Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” The entire city of Jerusalem was in an uproar as he entered. “Who is this?” they asked. Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David!

Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. They brought the donkey and the colt to him and threw their garments over the colt, and he sat on it. The two disciples did as Jesus commanded.

“Tell the people of Jerusalem,‘Look, your King is coming to you. He is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey’s colt.’”

This took place to fulfill the prophecy that said, If anyone asks what you are doing, just say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will immediately let you take them.”

“Go into the village over there,” he said. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a donkey tied there, with its colt beside it. Untie them and bring them to me. As Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sent two of them on ahead. Matthew 21 NLT

Hosanna

Another great song — click on the link Hosanna (Praise is Rising)

Hosanna to the King of Kings!

It is Palm Sunday!

This Lenten season has been so different for the entire world. And it looks like Easter will be different as well.

One of the unexpected benefits to this crazy time in life is that the rituals we have created have been disrupted. Sometimes we create rituals and we are nearly immovable when it comes to changing them.

But many of those rituals we have previously insisted on…they can probably go. Sure, they are our little opportunity to maintain some sense of control over our lives. And they might bring comfort. But are they essential?

What is essential? What is it we truly need? Is our identity wound up in how we celebrate? In how we worship? In how we serve? In how we love?

I think it is natural and ok to be disappointed in the losses we are experiencing but I think it is important not to let these things define us. Many of us have gone on for so long being able to do what we have wanted and achieved the things we were hoping for. We’ve made our plans and have had a false sense of security because they have come to pass.

Now is a great time to pay attention to what God is doing and join Him in His work. I know we are all being asked to do things differently. I know it isn’t always fun. But the whole world is on this journey. And He is with us every step of the way.

Pray for those who are in situations of abuse and addiction. It is harder to find help with all of the restrictions in place and financial strains only add to the tensions and stress.

A bonus song — The Blessing

Seasons

I do love the routine of the seasons although there are some seasons I like better than others. I like the general predictability of the seasons within a year but even the “unseasonal” events make life interesting.

I have always enjoyed the seasons of parenting and rarely wished the days away. I enjoyed each moment as it came. And if I was in an ugly moment, I knew that it would change shortly. When it was a sweet moment, I savored it knowing it would also move quickly to the next.

I also enjoy the seasons of the Church Year. Today, Palm Sunday, marks the start of Holy Week. It is a very busy week at our church for the entire staff. It probably is at yours as well. There are many people putting in many hours of preparation. Pray for your pastors, musicians, janitorial staff, secretaries, bulletin designers, printers and collators. Pray for the many who will attend church only because it is expected in their family. Pray for God’s Word to be preached effectively and for many ears to hear the Gospel, pure and true.

And as you travel through this Holy Week, consider the walk Jesus took for you. Pray for a greater integration of His gifts of love, mercy, and forgiveness into your life. As His gifts pour out into your life let them flow unrestricted to those around you!