Words of Fire
  • Home
  • About Margaret-Ann
  • Storytelling
  • Flames (Blog)
  • WORDshops
  • Resources
  • Contact

Extravagant, Arrogant Spring

4/18/2020

 
See! The winter is past;
    the rains are over and gone.
 Flowers appear on the earth;
    the season of singing has come...

Song of Solomon 2:11-12
Picture
Picture
My garden's arrogant azaleas
Spring is almost too good to be true.  She struts past winter like a model on a Parisian runway:  Confident. Assured. Dressed to impress. Her colors are bold and vibrant; her winds are strong.  
​
Yet this spring is like none other.  The world is sheltering in place; we are standing six feet apart; our health care workers and first responders are sacrificing themselves to render aid; our neighbors are struggling to pay bills; our students are in danger of losing valuable instruction.  Yet, spring still struts by: confident, assuring us that winter has been defeated.

In this season, then, we find hope.  Indeed, it  is bursting before us:  Hope in each new bloom that the winter has been overcome. Hope in each colorful blossom that better days are ahead.  Look around you.  The world is alive with the beauty of hope.  We serve a God who cares so much for us that the season of resurrection in the earth is also a season of resurrection for our faith.  The world is alive.  Our Savior is alive.  Live we too.
​

Until We Have Faces

4/8/2020

 
Picture

​The church has been pushed into the virtual world.  COVID-19 has forced the "body" of Christ to rethink and relearn the ancient practices of our faith.  During this season, we are at once  scattered and gathered community.   We embody Christ--as long as we maintain social distance.  We are unused to these new modes of worship and fractured community:  Dialing into church. Muting our phones. Logging onto websites. The technology can rob us of our faces, our voices and our embodied gathering.  
It does not have to be so.  Within this faceless void, I am blessed. My industrious mother took to her sewing machine  to make face masks.  So the mask that hides my face  has itself become a symbol of care and concern.  My mother's love covers me as I venture into a bacteria laden environment.  Until we have faces, until we meet face to face in gathered community, know that we are covered with God's love.  This is not the time for the church to hide. This is the time for us to show our love to our neighbors.  This is not the time to hoard.   Share what you can. This is not the time to despair. Pray. 

​We do not have faces, but we are covered.  

Resurrecting Sunday

4/4/2020

 
In some churches, the term "Resurrection Sunday" has begun to replace "Easter."  Easter brings to mind bunnies and bonnets, while "Resurrection" reminds us of the reason for this particular season.  Jesus is alive! 

But as we commemorate the cornerstone of this faith, it seems to me that Sunday itself needs its own resurrection.
​
Sunday as become a day for laundry, extra chores, perusing the paper and doing the lawn.  For too many, ..it is no longer a day for family, friends or faith.  
​
What about your Sunday?  What do you want to get out of the tomb?   Resurrection Sunday would be a good day to start.


    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Ash Wednesday
    Celebration
    Community
    COVID 19
    Creativity
    Dating
    Death
    Easter
    Encouragement
    Faith
    Family
    Generosity
    Gratitude
    Healing
    Hope
    Hospitality
    Intimacy
    Joy
    Lent
    Palm Sunday
    Peace
    Prayers
    Psalms
    Purpose
    Racism
    Relationships
    Resurrection
    Stories
    Storytelling
    Transparency
    Trust
    Wholeness
    Work

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    May 2020
    April 2020
    November 2016
    May 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.