With the current pandemic - fear - contracting the coronavirus - new terminology - words to inform us of proper activity. The newest - Shelter in Place - to isolate one and their family - in a familiar place where they may be safe. For most this place is their home - apartment - house - supplied with food - comfort items - bedding. In this morning's Scripture from Isaiah 65:17-21 we read that the Lord is in the process of creating new heavens - a new earth - that things of the past shall not be remembered. It continues that there will be new joy - crying no longer. For all of us going through this pandemic - those words are very applicable to our present situation.
Many people view Lent as a time of giving up things to be regained at Easter - no permanent sacrifice - very temporary - at best. In Lent the true focus should be on making ourselves - new creations - discarding bad habits - sinful activity - walking away from our six week Lenten retreat - a new creation - no longer burdened with the problems - sins of our former life. As we observe - Shelter in Place - in Arizona you may notice in the above photo that our home - as well as all the homes here - are surrounded with cinder block walls - separating us from each other - from the community. Once we enter the door to our home - we are completely isolated from everyone around us. In our new - Fortress of Solitude - we spend our days of Lent - alone - reflecting on everything happening. Lots of time for prayer - meditation - allowing ourselves to be alone with each other - with God. When we emerge - we pray that we are better off - spiritually - emotionally - physically - learning all that God wants us to learn - experience - just as Jesus did - in His 40 Days in the desert. Praying that this Lent you Shelter in Place - with Jesus.
Deacon Dale
Casa Del Camino "Fortress of Solitude"
Many people view Lent as a time of giving up things to be regained at Easter - no permanent sacrifice - very temporary - at best. In Lent the true focus should be on making ourselves - new creations - discarding bad habits - sinful activity - walking away from our six week Lenten retreat - a new creation - no longer burdened with the problems - sins of our former life. As we observe - Shelter in Place - in Arizona you may notice in the above photo that our home - as well as all the homes here - are surrounded with cinder block walls - separating us from each other - from the community. Once we enter the door to our home - we are completely isolated from everyone around us. In our new - Fortress of Solitude - we spend our days of Lent - alone - reflecting on everything happening. Lots of time for prayer - meditation - allowing ourselves to be alone with each other - with God. When we emerge - we pray that we are better off - spiritually - emotionally - physically - learning all that God wants us to learn - experience - just as Jesus did - in His 40 Days in the desert. Praying that this Lent you Shelter in Place - with Jesus.
Deacon Dale
