Lent daybook, 18: God's gonna cut you down

My Lent daybook for these 40 days of prayer. Join me, won't you? (see previous Lent daybook 2016 posts here)

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look

Storm, 1935, Sybil Andrews - source

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read

Isaiah 5:1-7 / Luke 6:43-45 (MSG)

I’ll sing a ballad to the one I love, a love ballad about his vineyard: The one I love had a vineyard, a fine, well-placed vineyard. He hoed the soil and pulled the weeds, and planted the very best vines. He built a lookout, built a winepress, a vineyard to be proud of. He looked for a vintage yield of grapes, but for all his pains he got junk grapes.

“Now listen to what I’m telling you, you who live in Jerusalem and Judah. What do you think is going on between me and my vineyard? Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard that I didn’t do? When I expected good grapes,why did I get bitter grapes?

“Well now, let me tell you what I’ll do to my vineyard: I’ll tear down its fence and let it go to ruin. I’ll knock down the gate and let it be trampled. I’ll turn it into a patch of weeds, untended, uncared for—thistles and thorns will take over. I’ll give orders to the clouds: ‘Don’t rain on that vineyard, ever!’”

Do you get it? The vineyard of God-of-the-Angel-Armies is the country of Israel.  All the men and women of Judah are the garden he was so proud of.  He looked for a crop of justice and saw them murdering each other. He looked for a harvest of righteousness and heard only the moans of victims. /

“You don’t get wormy apples off a healthy tree, nor good apples off a diseased tree. The health of the apple tells the health of the tree. You must begin with your own life-giving lives. It’s who you are, not what you say and do, that counts. Your true being brims over into true words and deeds.

all readings for the day: Psalm 63:1-8; Isaiah 5:1-7; Luke 6:43-45

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pray

(Pray with a friend or member of your family. One lead, the other(s) respond with the italicized portions.)

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. Silence

For all people in their daily life and work; For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.

For this community, the nation, and the world; For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation; For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble; For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God; For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.

For our church leaders, [N._______], all bishops and other ministers; For all who serve God in his Church.

For the special needs and concerns in our church, family and home.Silence

Add your own petitions

Hear us, Lord; For your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life. Silence

Add your own thanksgivings

We will exalt you, O God our King; And praise your Name for ever and ever.

We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom. Silence

Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them; Who put their trust in you.

We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Silence may be kept.

Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; in your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone; and so uphold us by your Spirit that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.(source)

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listen

God's Gonna Cut You Down by Johnny Cash

( I invite you to listen with me to my ever-evolving Lent playlist & Lent Spirituals playlist)

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do

Today, visit a museum or art gallery.  Do not try to see everything.  Do not hurry.

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(see all Lent daybook posts from 2015 here)