I'm In

A few weeks ago, I was using voice-to-text to compose some prayers. After I was finished speaking the whole list, I was proof-reading the document and realized that everywhere I said “Amen”, the voice-to-text wrote “I’m in”.

“Amen” essentially means “may it be so”, but what would it look like to end our prayers with “I’m in”. What would change if we rose from our knees, left our prayer closets, closed our devotionals, and moved with purpose toward the goals for which we had just prayed. 

Lord, in your mercy: 
Grant justice to the oppressed and disenfranchised (I’m in)
Cast down the mighty from their thrones (I’m in) 
Console the grieving and welcome the prodigal (I’m in) 
Welcome strangers and attend to the marginalized (I’m in) 
Grant the space for the silenced to speak… and listen (I’m in) 
Fill the hungry with good things and send the rich away empty (I’m in) 
Forgive others as I am forgiven (I’m in)
Be merciful as God in heaven is merciful (I’m in) 
Gently steward the creation God so loves (I’m in) 
Do not neglect to meet together with other faithful folks (I’m in) 
Clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, bring healing to the sick, accompany the lonely (I’m in)  

The readings for Ash Wednesday are meant to return us to a place of prayer in word and deed. We ask God to grant us clean hearts, for the purposes of restoring us to right relationship with our Creator, the people around us, and the whole world. Right relationship is a place of action, not a state of mind. The action of service changes us. The action of prayer changes us. The work of listening, accompanying, being curious changes us. It is not the motions themselves; it is the presence of the Holy Spirit in those movements that cause holy shifts within us. This is not the same thing as salvation, so I am in no way implying works-righteousness. 

I’m talking about God’s work of sanctification- making us holy, shaping us to be the people we’ve been made, equipped, and called to be. The Lenten season is the time to return to that and to ask ourselves, “Can I say, ‘I’m in”?” 

Do I want to be more like Christ in my heart, in my words, in my actions? 

The reality of resurrection is already true. We’re not waiting to re-enact Easter, but the observation of Lent allows us to prepare to be embraced by that holy joy once again. If, with the Spirit’s help, we’re not able to say “I’m in” to the discipline and devotion of Lent, we will truly be open to the “I’m in” of Easter? 

Good news delivered by women? 
The harrowing of hell? 
Appearances to doubters and deniers? 
Inclusive invitations to community? 
The call to be changed by mystery? 

The ”I’m in” to Lent, to discipline and devotion, is preparation for responding in kind to everything else God is doing and will do. 

We will not do this work alone. God goes with us all the way. 

So, what do you say? 

Starring Spiritual Discipline

The "star words" for 2024 are from a short list of 12 spiritual disciplines. You may prayerfully look through this list and discern how the Spirit is calling you. Or you may click here to be directed to a random number generator. Set 1 as the lower limit and 12 as the upper. Click and see what number you get, corresponding to a discipline on the list below. 

Spiritual Disciplines 2024

A guide to living the baptized life ever more fully

 

1.    Abstention – restraining from indulgence

 

If your first thought regarding abstention is about dieting, think again. This spiritual discipline invites us into refraining from indulgences that cause us to stray from the will of God. This is an invitation to work on self-restraint with words and actions. This is a call to abstain from judgment of others, quick and thoughtless comments, or mindless actions that cause you to feel regret or frustration later. The practice of abstention may find you being quiet a little more often, as well as holding back in situations where groupthink may not lead to productive or healing actions.  

For kids: abstention means to NOT do things we know better than to do, but sometimes to do anyway. It’s connected to self-control. 

 

Bible verse: 2 Timothy 1:7

 

2.    Celebration – marking occasions with joy and hope

 

Any excuse for a party! Sort of. The spiritual discipline of celebration is an outward engagement with joy and praise at God’s work in the world. A call to disciplined celebration is a call to seek where and how the Divine will is being accomplished in and around us. Has there been healing? Celebrate with thanksgiving. Is there spiritual growth? Celebrate with prayer and singing. Has there been reconciliation? Celebrate with Holy Communion! You have been invited into a year of looking deeper toward joy and hope in the fulfilling of God’s promises. 

 

For kids: celebrate means to be excited about things that show God’s love and work in the world- in creation, at church, with friends and family. 

 

Bible verse: Philippians 4:4

 

3.    Fellowship – engagement with others, especially those outside your “usual” group

 

Fellowship is a discipline of engagement. Rather than merely meaning that you commit to staying for coffee hour, it means that the Spirit is inviting you into closer community with your fellow Christians and your neighbors. Committing to growth in the discipline of fellowship might mean participating in a group activity you’ve been meaning to try or arranging a get together with friends you think might enjoy one another’s company. This is not an invitation to exhaustion, but a welcome opportunity to deepen relationships with people around you through intentional activities. 

 

For kids: fellowship means doing things with people who aren’t always in your friend group. Not people who aren’t kind, necessarily, but people who might feel left out or need an invitation to play or sit with you at lunch. 

Bible verse: Hebrews 10:24-25

 

4.    Meditation – mental exercise for the purpose of spiritual growth 

 

Meditation embraces several spiritual disciplines into one practice: silence, prayer, and awareness. Developing a practice of meditation means embracing God’s call toward stillness of mind and body. Baby steps in the practice include working toward quieting the mind, paying attention to surroundings, and listening for God. Of all the disciplines in the list, expect great failure in this one unless you’re already pretty good at it. Great failure at first, however, means room for amazing growth! 

 

For kids: meditation means taking time to help our bodies and minds learn to pay attention to God. What is God doing and saying around you? 

 

Bible verse: Isaiah 26:3

 

5.    Perseverance – the characteristic or action of steadfastness; unwavering commitment

 

Hooray! You’ve received the opportunity to be stubborn for a year! Well, you’ve received an invitation into stubbornly pursuing the will of God. The discipline of perseverance means pursuing words and deeds that are directed at justice, healing, renewal, and mercy throughout the year. It means bringing up the issue when others want to ignore it. It means potentially setting aside your own uncertainty to pursue hope and aid for another. You have been called to stubbornly persist in seeing God’s will done on earth as in heaven. 

 

For kids: perseverance means to keep trying on something you know you have to learn how to do. You might not get it the first or the second time, but remember God is with you and helping you. 

 

Bible verse: Galatians 6:9

 

6.    Prayer – earnest (usually intentional) communication with God

 

Initially, the discipline of prayer may seem easy. Couldn’t you just say the Lord’s Prayer every day and say you did it? That’s the letter of the discipline, but not the spirit. Genuine prayer involves conversation with God, back and forth, listening and speaking. Your growth in prayer discipline may not look the same as someone else’s for there are many ways to pray. This is a good discipline to discuss with Pastor Julia. What stands in your way? What would work for you? How can you be kind to yourself as you become more disciplined in prayer. 

 

For kids: prayer is talking to and listening to God. It can mean saying thank you, asking for help for yourself or someone else, or saying what amazing things God has done. 

 

Bible verse: 1 Timothy 2:1

 

7.    Sabbath – a day (or time) set aside for rest and, ideally, for spiritual focus

 

The discipline of sabbath-keeping is probably the discipline in this list that is most counter-cultural. The Spirit is welcoming you into intentionally setting aside time for rest and renewal. While the most strict interpretation of sabbath-keeping would be to be at church more often, the intention of the discipline is to see what idols have cropped up in your life and how to let them go. What is taking time, attention, resources, and energy that rightfully belong to God? This includes things that keep you from rest, since rest is an aspect of godliness that our Creator desires for us. 

 

For kids: sabbath means a time of rest and a time of worship. What could you do to help your family have quiet times and times of praising God? 

 

Bible verse: Leviticus 23:3

 

8.    Service – participation in helpful activity

 

This particular discipline has two sides. If you are already a person who easily says yes, the discipline of service is to refrain from committing to additional activities. Instead, listen to how the Spirit is guiding you to deeper and fuller commitment to what you already do. 
If you are a person who watches while others do (yes, I mean you), the Spirit is nudging you into helpful action. This doesn’t mean filling your days with activities, but it does mean paying attention to where a simple yes from you could really make a difference. Drying the dishes? Keeping company? Carrying something to or back from Bozeman or Billings? You are being called to service for others in the name of the Lord. 

 

For kids: service means helping others. Look for ways to be a helper and watch for all the different helpers around you. 

 

Bible verse: Mark 10:42-45

 

9.    Simplicity – being plain, natural, and easy to understand

 

The discipline of simplicity is an invitation to freedom. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be. In fact, this may be the Spirit’s nudge to make things simpler in your life. What needs to be set in order? What needs to be eliminated? This is the discipline of letting enough be as good as a feast. This is not an opportunity to do nothing, but the chance to let your life and mind become a little more quiet and at peace through attention to God’s direction and call. 

 

For kids: simplicity means easy and not too fancy. Working with simplicity means being happy with what you have and taking care of it to show your gratitude and care for God and others. This includes being gentle with things and people. 

 

Bible verse: Proverbs 16:8

 

10. Study – devotion of time and energy to learning

 

Bible study is at 7 pm on Mondays and noon on Wednesdays! The discipline of  study goes beyond increasing one’s Bible knowledge. The Spirit is inviting you into a deeper understanding of some aspect of your spiritual life and development. Perhaps you can spend intentional time in conversation about questions you’ve held for a long time. Maybe this is the time to slowly read the book you’ve always meant to or learn more about a saint or church father or mother who piques your interest. Study can take many shapes and our faith has a wealth of mysteries that invite investigation, but never yield mastery. Study means learning and action, together, but individually and in community. 

 

For kids: study means learning more about God. This might mean talking with a grownup more or spending time reading your Bible or another book about God. 

 

Bible verse: Psalm 119:105

 

11. Submission – embracing humility and yielding to the will of God

 

Submission gets a bad rap because it is a) easily abused and b) not really something any of us want to do. 

First, it is not submission to remain in a situation that causes harm to one’s body or spirit or to allow one’s self to be pressured into actions that are clearly counter to the will of God for resurrection, restoration, and renewal. 

Secondly, humility is not the same as humiliation. Humility has more in common with humbleness. It means a willingness to consider the perspective of others, to be circumspect in decision-making, and to allow that one might be wrong. 

The discipline of submission is an invitation to reflection and stillness in a world that wants immediacy and action. Embracing submission means resisting being rushed and seeking the will of God first in all situations. All situations. This discipline will likely mean grinding your teeth, clenching fists, and saying, “Okay” under one’s breath. Remember to relax your muscles and drop your shoulders from your ears. 

 

For kids: submission means listening to and respecting people who are responsible for taking care of us. If they are doing their job of care, you are called to do your job of listening to and respecting them. 

 

Bible verse: Matthew 6:33

12. Worship – a demonstration of reverence and adoration of God

 

Similar to sabbath (above), the discipline of worship goes beyond just more frequent church attendance. A call to more worship in one’s life is an invitation to look for and mark opportunities for prayer, praise, and confessions. An attitude of worship extends beyond the physical sanctuary into the fullness of God’s creation. Embracing the discipline of worship might include keeping a hymnal or prayerbook handy. Learning a number of new Bible verses. Being willing to make a moment awkward and holy by insisting on prayer- whether in supplication or thanksgiving. This may also be an invitation to participate in a new or different way in the worship life of the community (church). 

 

For kids: worship is how we show our love to God- by singing, praying, reading the Bible, and sharing the experience with others. 

 

Bible verse: Revelation 4:9-11

 

Baptismal Service Commentary, Part 1

The following is the Service of Holy Baptism from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (Augsburg Fortress, 2019). The text is black from that service. The blue text is my commentary on the service. Same with the green. This entry takes us through the first half of the baptismal service, prior to the act of baptizing. 

PRESENTATION

God, who is rich in mercy and love, gives us a new birth into a living hope through the sacrament of baptism. By water and the Word God delivers us from sin and death and raises us to new life in Jesus Christ. We are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God's mission for the life of the world.

This is when the family members of the person to be baptized, infant or adult, come forward with the candidate for baptism. Notice that the presentation, as an invitation, explains what baptism is. This explanation does not mention hell. In Lutheran understanding, the defeat of hell has already been accomplished for the baptismal candidate and for all people by God in Christ through the power of resurrection. Thus, baptism is not removing the threat of hell, but is bringing the baptized into a new life in Christ. Both coming to be baptized or to have baptized andthe living out of the new life are responses to what God has already done. 

God is the prime mover, the originator of all things. All we do is notto earn grace, but in response to it. This is specifically and most certainly true in baptism. 

PROMISES AND COMMITMENTS

As you bring your children to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities:

to live with them among God's faithful people,

bring them to the word of God and the holy supper,

teach them the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,

place in their hands the holy scriptures,

and nurture them in faith and prayer,

so that your children may learn to trust God,

proclaim Christ through word and deed,

care for others and the world God made,

and work for justice and peace.

Do you promise to help your children grow in the Christian faith and life?

Sponsors, do you promise to nurture these persons in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God's Spirit, and to help them live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?

People of God, do you promise to support  name/s  and pray for them in their new life in Christ?

We do.

In the Promises and Commitments, the baptized or the family and sponsors of the baptized are committing to the shape of their new life in Christ. The baptismal life is not lived alone, but is lived out with other believers (and in the world). This life involves participating in faith community life, encounters and wrestling with the written word (scripture), regular participation in communion and affirmation of baptism, praying for others in word and deed, and becoming familiar with the most foundational texts of the faith (10 commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Creed). 

This life is lived out for this purpose: so that the baptized may learn to trust God and, through that trust, live a life that proclaims Christ, crucified and risen. This proclamation will be evident in the baptized life in what the person says and does, what she prioritizes and what he rejects. Indeed, it is to be hoped that, with the help of the Spirit, works of justice and peace flow in the wake of the baptized person, leading people to ask about the source of their courage and strength. 

Baptismal sponsors agree to help with this work, as do congregation members. Even if a child is baptized in a “home” congregation, but lives elsewhere- the local congregation is committed to these promises to all children of God who come through their doors. 

PROFESSION OF FAITH

I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.

Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?

Response: 

I renounce them.

Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God?

Response: 

I renounce them.

Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?

Response: 

I renounce them.

Do you believe in God the Father?

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

The Profession of Faith is a statement of what the candidate or their family and the congregation both trust to be truthful about God and also ask God to help them believe. This profession begins in the via negativa, that is with what is not of God. 

God will not defy Godself, thus we forcefully reject spiritual forces that tell lies about God and attempt to make us feel separated from God’s love. 

God will not rebel against Godself, thus we forcefully reject the social and political forces of this world that attempt to subvert God’s will and purposes for reformation, restoration, and resurrection. 

God will not deliberately harm or separate Godself from the beloved creation, thus we forcefully reject our own internal forces that cause us to make idols of ourselves, falsely elevating self above God and neighbor. 

Once we have rejected what cannot be true about God, we are left with the Divine Mystery. In approaching that Mystery, all we have is the handful of ways that God has chosen to be revealed- through creation, through Jesus, and through the eternal work of the Holy Spirit, specifically in the church. We use the Apostles Creed, during baptism, to attest to these revelations, knowing that they do not represent the full nature of God, but a glimpse into the gift of eternal truth. 

This first part of our baptismal service teaches and reminds us that: 

1)   God moves first. 

2)   We respond to God’s grace. 

3)   The world needs and is waiting for our response, because the faithful response of the baptized person points beyond their actions toward God, the Source and Ground of their being and all grace.