Well hello friends!
How are we doing? This week we were blessed with an amazing sunshine-y day. I got to sit on my front lawn with friends and chat and watch the kids run around in the grass. It was such good medicine for my soul. It was definitely the highlight of the week.
Today, there is sadness. In addition to the continued drain of still doing at-home learning and the kids missing friends, our two sweet guinea pigs died within two weeks of each other. They were such sweet creatures and we are a little shocked.
LENT PRACTICES
It’s Lent and I decided to try to add a few things this year instead of abstaining from something (inspired by Connie Denninger’s podcast episode here). I’m trying a new prayer practice and also trying to pray Compline with the whole family a few evenings each week (introduced to me by Tish Harrison Warren in Prayer in the Night*).
It turns out, that in order to practice these things, and as a result of practicing these things, I am naturally giving up other things.
Below is the Lent evening compline prayer sheet I made for our family (adapted from the Book of Common Prayer) if you’d like to try it. We let the kids take turns being the leader. We find it’s something everyone can be a part of, and it provides a space for regular confession/forgiveness and prayer. It takes about 10-15 minutes to do.
If you’re looking for more Lent and Easter resources, here are a few:
| The Visual Faith website has some beautiful tools to help you observe Lent creatively. |
LISTENING & READING
I recently subscribed to the With God Daily devotional (and downloaded the app) with Skye Jethani. It’s a daily devotional for people who don’t like traditional daily devotionals. It includes a reflection on Scripture and theology, sometimes a cultural application, a Bible passage, and a historic prayer. I’ve found it really it really encouraging each morning and easy to use.
BOOK REVIEW
The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper.* This book frames the good news of the Gospel in a much wider view than we traditionally understand it. Harper focuses on the purposes of God in Genesis, the brokenness that sin caused, and how Jesus comes and brings wholeness to every area of broken shalom, a biblical concept that means peace or the absence of conflict. She writes:
“Shalom is the stuff of the Kingdom. It’s what the Kingdgom of God looks like in context. It’s what citizenship in the Kingdom of God requires and what the Kingdom promises to those who choose God and God’s ways to peace.”
Each chapter in the book addresses an area of broken shalom. They include “shalom with God,” “shalom with self,” “shalom between genders,” “shalom and creation,” “shalom for broken families,” “shalom and race,” and “shalom between nations.”
Harper writes, “separation does not win,” and I found that incredibly hopeful.
NEW IN THE SHOP
A SONG AND A PRAYER
“Grant, Lord God, that in the middle of all the discouragements, difficulties and dangers, distress and darkness of this mortal life, I may depend on your mercy, and on this build my hopes, as on a sure foundation. Let your infinite mercy in Christ Jesus deliver me from despair, both now and at the hour of death.”
–Thomas Wilson (1674-1748)
COPYRIGHT/USAGE: All writing, artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. Please do not repost or resell on another website. I’m happy for you to use my coloring pages and other printables for home, school, and ministry. If you share content, please link back to the original post. Thank you!
*affiliate link. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
thanks for the shout out for Visual Faith Ministry- we are blessed by your work! and appreciate your partnership in the Kingdom
Appreciate all you do as well, and learning from you!