As we arrive at Easter, we have come through the darkness of Holy Week. The tender moments in the upper room replaced with the fear and frenzy of the Passion on Good Friday, although Jesus remains calm. It reminded me of Psalm 23 and that as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death that God walks with us. A reminder that we must walk through the darkness to get to the light. How can we live in calm and not in fear as we seek to share the light and love of Jesus?

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We have entered Holy Week. The palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna" have faded, and if we rush directly to Easter and "Hallelujah!" we miss so much of the story. Holy Week is hard. In the Gospel of Luke the Triumphal Entry is in chapter 19 and Easter is Chapter 24. The teaching, cleansing of the temple, Last Supper, betrayal, arrest, denial, trial, beating, mocking and crucifixion that occur are the hard parts and they are also the necessary parts. Without the hard parts, we miss that God is with us through all of the hard parts of life. Pause this week and remember that God holds the hard parts too.

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In Micah 6:8 the question is asked "What does the Lord require of you?" The answer is to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. I have met with people from 2 different organizations in my community. The way things are currently, these groups helped me see ways in which I might have an impact in a good way on the community around me and on people in the world. I invite you to check out The Good Faith Network and Unbound as well as groups in your community where you can get involved and make a positive difference in the world.

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This Lenten season I have been preaching about temptations as found in Luke's gospel. Luke sends the disciples into a Samaritan village and when they are not welcomed they are ready to fight. Jesus turns anger into grace. At a meal and Jesus watches the people try to sit in the seat of honor, he tells a story about humility and how to do for those who cannot repay you. This week, the Rich young ruler goes away said when Jesus tells him to sell all he has - money is his idol. So what are our idols? How do we deal with the temptation of wealth?

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I found out that FDR used to have "Children's Hour" which was a cocktail hour before dinner. It was for close family and friends. The big rule, no business talk. He used the time before dinner to take a deep breath and to relax a bit. We all need to take that time. Dig in the garden, go for a walk, have dinner with friends, play a game, what can you do this week to take a deep breath?

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In many churches in the world, we are in the season of Lent. The time before Easter for self reflection. Many people give up something during Lent. Others might take on a devotional practice. William Arthur Ward created a litany called Fasting and Feasting. It is a reminder to fast or give up those things that draw us away from God and to feast on those that bring us closer. Enjoy!

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I once was thrown in to teach a Jr. High Sunday school class. They were studying the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. A Star Wars movie had recently been released so I asked them about the Sith and the Jedi. We agreed that the Fruits of the Spirit in Gal 5: 22-23 were the path of the Jedi. So how do we focus on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control in a world that feels so chaotic? How do we hold onto the fact that God said let there be light and Jesus is the light of the world and the darkness will not overcome it? How can we bring calm, peace, joy and love to the world around us?

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The Transfiguration of Jesus is the text that we read the Sunday before Lent begins. Jesus is changed into his glorified state. But they must come down the mountain and re-engage the world. We too have to re-engage the world, but how can we be transformed and then engage the world in a more peaceful and divinely connected state?

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