God gave us instructions about how to live a righteous life (Ex 24:12-18). God is holy and loves justice, and we offer him our worship and praise (Psalm 99). We pay close attention to Scripture and the words of Jesus (2 Pet 1:16-21), who is the beloved Son of God and takes away our fear (Mt 17:1-9).*
Ash Sunday (Corrie Francis Parks. 3/8/2011. A drawing, formed in a swirl of dust, awakens to find herself trapped on an empty, dimensionless square of paper).
Be sure to have your speakers on as the meditative music plays as part of this beautiful allegorical take on transformation and new life. HT: Jimmy Lin, the Medical & Scientific Doxologist. To God be the glory!
Grant us, even us, O Lord, to know you, and love you and rejoice in you. And if we cannot do these perfectly in this life, let us, at least, advance to higher degrees every day, till we can come to them in perfection. Let the knowledge of you increase in us here, that it may be full hereafter. Let the love of you grow every day more and more here, that it may be perfect hereafter; that our joy may be great in itself and full in you. We know, O God, that you are a God of truth. O make good your gracious promises to us, that our joy may be full. To your honor and glory, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns one God, world without end. Amen — Augustine.**
*Theme of Week 12: A Righteous Life (February 11-17). Ancient Christian Devotional: Lectionary Cycle A. Ed. by Cindy Crosby. General Ed. of Ancient Christian Devotional Set, Thomas C. Oden. InterVarsity Press. 2007. p.67. Note: During Lent, I’m continuing to work my way through this highly recommended devotional resource.
**Closing Prayer of Week 12: A Righteous Life (February 11-17). Ancient Christian Devotional: Lectionary Cycle A. Ed. by Cindy Crosby; General Ed of Ancient Christian Devotional Set, Thomas C. Oden. InterVarsity Press. 2007. p.71.
Update: 3/11/2011. 11:06 AM EST
Tom enjoys daily conversations regarding living out the Biblical Story with his wife Theresa and their four girls, around the block, at Elizabethtown Brethren in Christ Church (where he teaches adult electives and co-leads a small group), among healthcare professionals as the Northeast Regional Director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA), and in higher ed as a volunteer with the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). For a number of years, the Christian Medical Society / CMDA at Penn State College of Medicine was the hub of his ministry with CMDA. Note: Tom served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA for 20+ years, including 6+ years as the Associate Director of ESN. He has written for the ESN blog from its launch in August 2008. He has studied Biology (B.S.), Higher Education (M.A.), Spiritual Direction (Certificate), Spiritual Formation (M.A.R.), Ministry to Emerging Generations (D.Min.). To God be the glory!