"I Lift My Eyes Unto the Hills..."

Psalm 121  (New International Version)

   A song of ascents.¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?

    ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

   

 ³He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

    ⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

   

 ⁵The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

    ⁶ the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

   

 ⁷The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;

    ⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore

This passage served as our call to worship last week and it triggered a few thoughts in my brain.  I love this passage and of course, I can't hear this passage without thinking of the Casting Crowns song (listen here) of that verse.  When I first heard that song, it made me think simply of mountains.  Growing up, my grandparents lived in the "hills" of Eastern KY.  Every time we visited it was always a peaceful time.  No one ever seemed to be in a hurry, it was a much different way of life.  When I read that passage, I couldn't help but to think of that.  Even though I needed to escape the pressures of my life, to go back to a slower, more peaceful place, that didn't solve the problems.  They were always right where I left them.  Once I returned from the hills the problems were waiting and acted like I had never left at all.  

This passage actually comes with a much deeper meaning then my original associations.  The hills in this passage refers to two different cultural references.  The first cultural reference refers to idols and temples that were built upon the hills to worship false gods.  The prophets of Baal were well known for building their temples on the hills for worship.  The author of the Psalm was stating that they did not look to the false gods, their help instead came from the Lord...the maker of Heaven and earth.  

The other cultural reference instead comparing the hills of the Psalm to Jerusalem.  Jerusalem, that sits on a hill, was considered to be the "Holy City" or "God's favored city".  People of the time believed that if there was a problem, or if they were at war, that all that they had to do was make it inside the walls of Jerusalem and God would protect them and destroy their enemy.  The Psalmist is stating that a city doesn't protect him and keep him safe, but instead God gives comfort and protection.  

I think we all have a "comfort" item...something that makes us feel safe and protected.  Remember our "help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth."

So what is Lent anyway?

Lent....you mean that stuff in my belly button?  :) NO!  Silly.  Lent is one of my favorite times in the Christian calendar. Lent picks up in the Bible with the story of the temptation of Christ...you know, He was driven(...we'll discuss that on Sunday) into the wilderness where He was tempted for forty days. Lent picks up at that story and follows Jesus' life until the Resurrection - Easter. Lent lasts for forty days (not counting Sundays).  Those forty days are to be days of reflection, prayer and fasting for us.  We are to be humble and reflect upon this time in Jesus' life as He walked the last few moments of His life.

 Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. During Ash Wednesday we have a service to mark the beginning of this time of reflection.  At the end of the service it is tradition for the pastor to make the sign of the cross in ashes on your forehead.  Ashes are a symbol of mortality and repentance.  We come from ashes and to ashes we will return.  The cross reminds us of Jesus' resurrection and triumph.

During the time of Lent we should reflect on the life and journey of Christ.  Many Christians choose to "give up something" for Lent, or to fast from something.  The original intent was to give up something and instead spend that time in prayer and in devotion time to Christ.  Some see it as being tempted as Christ was tempted.  Either way, to fill the void of your missing something, or when you are being tempted by it, spend time in prayer and remember all Christ went through...that is what Lent is about.

For more information about Lent the United Methodist Church has their own resources and you can check them out at www.UMC.org.  To simply get their description of Lent click here.

Can't wait to see you tomorrow!  Ash Wednesday service- 6:30 pm.

~jennifer

What a beautiful day!

Can you believe this gorgeous day so early in March?  Today was a sick day for me....still recovering from those wonderful germies my kiddos shared with me last week.  After rough morning things have finally turned and I think I might live.  :) So I have spent this afternoon (before going to class of course) cleaning.  I opened the kitchen door for a while (to air out those germs of course!), swept and mopped the floor and found my beautiful kitchen table again.  (It has been buried for a while now...) I LOVE spring!  Finally, some sunshine, warm air, and energy!  This time of year reminds me of the many things that we are blessed with in life.  Take a few minutes today to enjoy God's blessings.

What are you most thankful for today?

                                             Coming Soon....hopefully!

Blessings!
~jennifer