WATCHWORD:
14 Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15 Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. 16 God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, 18 to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19
22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. 25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, 30 but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. Luke 4:22-30
Consider This:
Second Thoughts – Lenten Week #2
Fears and insecurities about the risks or likelihood of failure on the Journey draw the Hero back to the safety of the Ordinary World.
Have you ever begun a big project or “adventure” only to have deep second thoughts about continuing? Why did those thoughts arise? Did you continue, or stop? What makes you question whether your dreams are possible? How do you react to even mild criticism? How does it make you feel when you suspect or know that someone is being treated unfairly? How do you respond? … See Ash Wednesday
Bulletin Board:
REMINDER: These brief Wednesday Watchwords will continue through the Lenten Season. Our regular schedule of five WATCHWORDS each week (skipping Wednesdays and Sundays) will resume after Easter. Stan Escott
Closing Prayers:
Oh, Wondrous God, you created day and night, the sun and he moon and stars. And again you saw it was good. Help us to see your wonder in each, your goodness in each, your presence in each — so we may know you are always with us, all day and all night. Amen.
Jesus, release me from my fear, anxiety, and doubt, and help me trust your call into the unknown. Amen.
