Rev. Andrew's Adventures

We have made it!!  We have finally reached the end of the wilderness and are now ready to return to life again after forty-plus long days and nights.  I hope that this Lenten journey has been fulfilling, challenging, and inspiring all in the same breath.  I know I can say that it has been one of the most fulfilling journeys I have taken, adding spiritual practices, fasting/modified Daniel Fast (was not perfect, but experienced God's grace), and adding inspirational readings.  But even outside, the starkness of the wilderness and gloom of winter is now giving way to the warmth and bright colors of Spring.  Resurrection is happening all around us. And tomorrow, we will celebrate our risen Lord, as Jesus conquered death and conquered the grave.  It is a new day for each of us, as by taking the wilderness road to the cross and grave, we too have died to our old ways and are basking in the glow of the resurrection, as we arise to new life in Jesus Christ. ...

Once again, the news presents us with the vicious cycle of violence and hate in our world, as we have been witnesses once again yesterday morning with news of the airport bombing in Brussels.  It is a helpless feeling knowing that what's done cannot be undone, yet when will this come to an end?  When will the extreme hatred and anger cease?  When will our world ever see peace?  All I feel like saying these days is Kyrie Eleison, or Lord, Have Mercy. Lord, have mercy for each victim...      Lord, have mercy on each family and friend affected...            Lord, have mercy on the rescue workers and those providing aid... Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison...

Looking at my calendar and at the date of my last post, I am realizing it has been nearly a month since my last post.  As the saying goes, "time flies when you're having fun," although not so sure I can consider it all fun.  This Lenten journey has no doubt been challenging, thought-provoking, but also fulfilling and even renewing.  Like Jesus wandered through the wilderness following his baptism (see Luke 4: 1-13), he was sent by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tested and tempted by the devil.  Although Jesus is able to stick to his faith, rejecting the devil each time.  It was also highly challenging, as Jesus had nothing to eat the whole forty days and it shows, as he is famished at the end.  Lent is a time of opportunity for going into our own wildernesses, taking a long look at ourselves in the mirror and examining where we fall short with God.  But, Lent is also an opportunity to grow closer to God, giving up some of our earthly pleas...

This Lent has been a wondrous time of slowing down, reflecting, fasting, and praying, a new adventure in going deeper spiritually and mentally.  The Daniel Fast has been a mental test considering I love food, but am finding meaning in it in focusing my mind towards God and imagining the Hebrew people in the desert in the exodus from Egypt while being provided with just enough.  I think of those who don't have enough to eat, knowing that many would love to have just the basics of fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts.  And while giving up coffee and any other drink than just water, I think of those who may not have clean water to drink.  It really gets me thinking more about what I have as opposed to what I don't have, given how easy it is to take things for granted.  Although it's also easy to get caught up in what you do have as well.  Even some conversations I've had this week have been humbling too. While doing something renewing in visiting a couple...

Although we are still at the edge of the wilderness and still relatively fresh into our Lenten journey, it has already been filled with challenges and things to think about.  But it has also been full of some surprises too.  Adopting spiritual and life practices during Lent are an important part of the journey, especially when facing temptations and such while in the wilderness.  That's what can make giving something up all the more difficult.  This year, I decided to give up Facebook and social media, but at the last minute decided to also give up meat and dairy (except fish) by doing a Daniel Fast with one of my friends.  While it sounds extreme to give up both, it gives me more time to contemplate, to feel what those who may not have enough to eat go through, but also cleanse myself and re-fill myself with wholeness and new vitality.  But shopping is such a challenge, meaning avoid the snack aisle and the seasonal aisle!!  Talk about temptation righ...

Luke 4:1-13 (NRSV) The Temptation of Jesus 4  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness,  2  where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished.  3  The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.”  4  Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’” 5  Then the devil [ a ]  led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world.  6  And the devil [ b ]  said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please.  7  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”  8  Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God,     and serve only him.’” 9  Then t...

Whenever I fly back to CA from Washington, DC or from anywhere for that matter, I LOVE taking pictures from the plane.  I'm sure I get a few puzzled looks, but I love looking at the landscape and the clouds outside while seated (not always so comfortably) inside the plane.  As we begin the journey of Lent this Wednesday, looking at our own lives from the inside out is essential as part of our faith journey.  It is a time of examining who we are, reaching deep into our core then working our way back out as we die to our old selves as we reach towards the hope and promise of resurrection on Easter.  While Lent can be seen as a time of repentance, it is a time of going deeper spiritually and a time of seeing where we can improve and grow closer to God, even if it means walking that lonesome valley with Jesus. Lent is also typically a time of giving something up, or adding something.  As I have been contemplating what I want to give up to help me become closer t...