In his book “The Furious Longing of God,” Brennan encouraged someone to pray the following seven syllable prayer: “Abba, I Belong to You.”

A simple musical take of this prayer (plus a few more syllables,) is attached. It is both prayer and benediction.

God bless you, Brennan. Thank you for teaching me so much about the Father.

Abba, I Belong To You

This humble event is recorded in the 13th chapter of John’s Gospel, and about a year ago, I wrote a simple hymn about it.

In case any of you would like to sing it too, I’m attaching the chart and mp3 to On a Cross, On a Hill.

Lenten Blessings,

mp3

Lead SheetOn a Cross, On a Hill

The Sound of Music…

A particular young adult worship gathering in Vienna following Sunday night Mass at the Cathedral…

A worship festival, bathed in prayer and hard work, in Marchegg….

A precious monk in a grey frock and a turquoise blue electric guitar….

The wedding of Franz and Margie…

Ice skating on a frozen lake…

Pentecost gatherings in Salzburg…

Michael…

But today, Fat Tuesday (aka:  Shrove Tuesday, aka: Pancake Tuesday,) this day just before Ash Wednesday, I can’t help but recall one of my favorite Austrian moments.

Did I mention Austrians love to waltz?  Did I mention I have two left feet?

Austrian Grande Balls are galas full of beauty, waltzing and celebration.  They are also as much a part of Austrian winters, as snow — that is, up until, Ash Wednesday, when many observe a 40-day season of penance and reflection, and take on various spiritual disciplines. (The snow continues.)

A few years ago, in hopes of attending one of the last great Austrian Balls of the (pre-Ash Wednesday,) season, a friend from Vienna, coaxed me into an unplanned, private tutorial in the rhythm of 1-2-3.

We had gone for a walk in a lovely wooded area, close to where we were staying.  On our trek, Barbara shared her passion for dance, not to mention her excitement of the galas to come.  I on the other hand was bemoaning my waltzing inadequacies.

Then and there, my friend grabbed my mittened hands, and began to teach me to dance.

“1….2…-3,      1-2…-3,      1-2-3,     1-2-3.

As a winter moon reflected the snow we had just been walking in, and now, the snow we were dancing in, try to picture “snow angels” being made in the crunchy, white snow…but these were snow angel footprints!

Who needs the paper Fred Astaire footprint diagrams explaining which foot goes where, when you have the freshly made blueprint of “how to,” in Austrian snow, led by a dear friend who lovingly laughed when I stumbled and encouraged me to try again…and again….and again.

Though I wish I could be in Austria tonight with my friends enjoying one of the last great Balls of the season, tonight I am also happy I get to go to a Pancake Supper at my local church in Tennessee.  Besides indulging in pancakes, I will give money towards the head shaving of two dear friends, who are raising money for our Church adoption fund. Then, tomorrow I will attend an Ash Wednesday service and begin a couple of Lenten disciplines for 40 days.

I will surely stumble a few times (as I did that night so long ago in the snow,) as I attempt to find the rhythm of these Lenten disciplines, and most importantly, a rhythm of deeper devotion to the One who went to the cross for me.  Yet, by God’s grace, in these moments, I will also consider the splendor and radiance of the God who extends His hand to me, bidding me to dance, even though I have two left feet and a heart inclined towards sin.  I will remember my Friend, who “shone like lightning” on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 28:3,) who went to the cross, so I could join in the dance, not just one night in Austria, but, all the days of my life.

1. I had a doctor’s appointment this morning.  Who likes those?  At one point, because of some pain I was in, I began to cry.  Full of compassion, my doctor wept too.

2. After the above appointment (which had taken much longer than I had anticipated,) I needed to hit the road.  Behind schedule, for a 9.5 hour drive,  another dear friend  gave needed hugs and encouragement and prayers before I left.

3. Along the road – someone who is like a brother to me called my cell… but, because of a weak signal, I said “I think I’m going to lose you!”  Without skipping a beat, this friend replied, “Girl, you are never going to lose me..” and, I knew what he meant.

4. Then, another friend, learning my drive was going to be a late one, wrote back: “I’ll stay up with you,” ..even though she was in a different state and a different time zone.

5. Then, finally, arriving at my hotel about 12:30a this morning, another friend (who had already blown me away by helping me with my homework earlier in the day,) made sure I had safely arrived at my destination.

God loves me…

What a wonderful, beautiful, incredible group of women!!

Over the years, I have been blessed to get a glimpse of Monet’s Waterlillies, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and other creations of the Great Masters – all of the world.   It was with similar awe that I toured Debbie’s studio.  Here I sensed the greatest Master Painter of all, lovingly at work in and through my friend, delighting in each one of her creations, just as He delights in His own handiwork, you and me.

Though words cannot express what I sensed in this late night tour of treasures, this Scripture in Matthew  6:29 comes close: “Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.”

Some of you know I am the music-worship person at Church of the Redeemer in Nashville, TN.  I’ve been coordinating teams and directing the music for five years now.  It’s a lovely Anglican community of broken, in-process people seeking Jesus in Word and Sacrament.

One of the many perks of my job is getting to encourage and partner with the talented volunteer musicians from our Church community.  A few times a year, I host a Saturday morning breakfast for folks interested in learning more about our music ministry.  Not only is it a time to explain how the music scheduling and rehearsals work, but more importantly it is a time to hear each others stories, to share with one another some of why we were drawn to worship music in the first place, and a time to drink some strong coffee and eat some good food!   Then, after we have had our fill of all that, we eventually wander over to a piano, pull out a guitar or two, glance at a couple of music charts, and worship together.

This morning was such a gathering.  My dear friend and assistant, Kendra (a very gifted musician in her own right,) helped me prepare the spread and the music.   Then, three incredibly special ‘new’ musicians showed up to participate in all of the above.  (They are not ‘new’ musicians, but new to us/our music ministry at Redeemer.)

I won’t name their names because I have not asked their permission, but I will say, I was very impressed and humbled by their storytelling, their respective journeys, and their hearts of worship.  As each shared a little of their history and what had brought them to this moment, I encountered authentic, loving, in-process people willing to be used in God’s service, hungry to know Him more, desirous of redemption and healing in places that could use it, and confident God will do this very thing in time.  Secondarily, they are all great musicians too.

To echo a wonderful song by Jill Phillips titled, “Nobody’s Got it All Together,” for me, this morning’s musician time was a special encounter with humble men and women, who know they don’t have it all together, but who also know, God can use such as these.   Thank you for coming today, for being willing to give Redeemer’s music ministry a try.  We welcome you here…just as you are.

My “post-Sri Lanka outreach” letter is long overdue. While I could make excuses about hitting the ground running when I got home with special assignments at work, the truth is, I’ve needed some time to process my recent trip abroad. For starters, Sri Lanka’s extensive coastline takes my breath away, not only for it’s beauty but because it also reminds me of the deadliest Tsunami in recorded history which hit its’ shoreline in December 2004. But even without this natural disaster, Sri Lanka is a study in contrasts, a place where mayhem and mangos grow side by side. Here tropical flowers and tropical disease keep good company. If ever there was a land where Christ’s journey to the cross might readily be understood, I believe it is Sri Lanka. For here, beauty and agony walk together hand in hand, and it is all so disturbingly normal.

“So have you heard the one about the two Americans, two British and one Australian who traveled to Sri Lanka to open a ‘safe house’ for child soldiers right under the noses of rebel forces?” Can you see why I’ve had trouble writing to you? Just the mention of this outreach sounds a bit like the beginning of a bad knock-knock joke, or at best a really good nightmare. But instead it is the continuation of a very old story and a very beautiful one:

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.
1Corinthians 1:27, NIV

Oh the stories of my weakness and Jesus’ strength I could tell! Perhaps one of my favorites is that of ridiculous ‘over the top’ favor extended to me by Sinhalese military personnel as my team and I traveled deeper and deeper into hostile territory. I assure you it was not for any experience or eloquence on my part that this favor was given.

The ‘foolish fact’ alone allowing me (and all those in my party) to receive preferential treatment was simply this: I was the “whitest” person they had ever seen! Ok, perhaps there was one other distinction for which I give God thanks and praise. In a pinch and when provoked, I can smile “as big as Texas,” (though I admit I am reluctant to share this, lest you think I am boasting!) My point is this. I have a new ministry in Southern Asia: “Operation Skin and Grin.”

This is how it works: Jenna get’s placed in the front seat of a 7-passenger van next to our driver who does not understand safety directives such as “please slow down” or “be careful!” Then, every time our driver approaches a military check point, Jenna removes her sunglasses, flashes her Texas smile, and all of us, driver included, watch and pray as Jenna’s “glow-in-the-dark” skin simultaneously surprises and disarms many a soldier at many a checkpoint. Consequently we are granted free-access to the area ‘intended’ and our long prayed for work begins without incident. (Alright, there was that one incident when a certain soldier gave me his phone number, but that’s a story for another time!)

So, go ahead, call me foolish. Indeed, that is what I am. But to each of you who likewise accompanied me to Sri Lanka via prayers, finances and words of encouragement: thank you so much for sharing your resources, beanie babies, medical supplies, intercession, musical instruments and Heaven’s brand of foolishness with me. You see, TOGETHER by God’s grace we were able to start a ministry in Sri Lanka that I believe will rescue many a child ‘from the fowler’s snare,’ and bring hope and salvation to generations to come.

Yes, I admit it’s a bit easier to do in hindsight, but I sincerely praise God for each “challenging, 120 degree, I can’t eat another bite of curry, do you think they’ll shoot?” moment. Though three members of my six member team had quite a bit of trouble getting out of the country post our outreach (because our project’s undercover status was suddenly uncovered,) even in this the Lord used our weakness for His glory and gave us even more amazing testimonies of His faithfulness and strength.

With so much love,
jennifer