Compiled by: Georgeanne Falstrom, Intern
PARISH LAY MINISTRY ACADEMY
TABLE OF CONTENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2006
(DAILY READINGS: Ps 31,35,95; Exe 18:1-4,23-32; Phil 4:1-9; JN 17:20-26)

RENEW AND REJOICE
by: Georgeanne Falstrom

Scripture: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" ...Phil 4:4
"Do not be anxious for anything...present your requests to God."...Phil 4:6
"Come let us sing for joy to the Lord: let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation."...Ps 95:1
"Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker."...Ps 95:5

Taxes are coming due. Utility bills are rising. More job lay-offs. The war is escalating. The car needs work. More teens on drugs. R rated movies win awards. Headlines and the cost of everyday living are more than I can handle. How am I supposed to rejoice when all about me seems to be falling apart?

Relax. Why are you so anxious? Your sins are forgiven. Present your requests to God in prayer and he will answer them. You can’t change the world, you just have to live in it.

What you can change is your outlook and attitude. There really is hope and peace available. When we kneel before our Lord, pray with Thanksgiving, praise him in song, confess our sins and ask forgiveness, the daily renewal begins. In his final prayer in John 17, Jesus placed us in the hands of the father and asked him to protect us in this world by the power of his name.

A recent study showed that people who sang in their car were healthier. That is the only place I will sing, where no one can hear my off-key notes. We have two favorite CD’s of praise songs by the St. John’s Folk Singers that stay in the car. I do a lot of rejoicing singing along with them. Now when we travel, instead of always listening to books on tape, we sing out our praise on the highway, as well as pray. The miles just fly by.

Always remember. Jesus brought us forgiveness of our sins. Being anxious is a matter of our choice. Lent offers a special time for worship, praise and renewal. It isn’t just reserved for Sundays in church. Through disciplining ourselves, studying the Bible, prayer, meditation and praise, we will indeed rejoice. We can lift up our cares for ourselves and the world and know they are in hands that love us and know our needs. We can rejoice!

Prayer: Loving Lord, we just praise your name and humbly submit our lives and all of our worldly cares to you. Renew us with your spirit of hope and assurance of our salvation. Let us be the light to a world that is shadowed in darkness. Keep us focused on your son, Jesus, and let us be eternally thankful for his love. Help us to respond to his sacrifice through our love and service to others.