Dear friends,

Blessings to all of you during this Season of Easter. I wanted to share with you three things I'm excited about:

1. Online Retreat with Trevor Hudson

Questions God Asks Us eCourse
with Trevor Hudson and The Upper Room
April 30 - June 1, 2012

God has a few questions for you! Join an online discussion of the book Questions God Asks Us by Trevor Hudson, a pastor from South Africa who’s a great friend of The Upper Room. Over the course of five weeks, we'll learn to see the Bible as a book of questions from God to us, such as: “Where are you?” “What is that in your hand?” and “Why are you crying?”

The eCourse includes

• Weekly videos with insights from Trevor on the week’s questions
• All the content from Trevor’s book Questions God Asks Us
• Group discussions (online) twice each week
• A daily meditation from Trevor Hudson

For information or to register: http://beadisciple.com/upperroom.html#Questions

2. Announcing the Digital Edition of Alive Now

Alive Now magazine (where I work as the editor) has launched a digital edition of the magazine that can be viewed on your iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, or computer. This new Alive Now can be viewed in beautiful HD on iPhone, iPad, Android device, or computer. The digital editions include enhancements not included in the printed edition — videos, links, photos and bios of contributors, extra articles, and each week’s Audio Lectio embedded in the magazine.

The magazine is available for purchase by issue for $2.99. Or you can purchase a year’s subscription. Learn more or download your free preview by clicking here.

I hope you’ll help spread the word — and try it out for yourself.

3. Sight Psalms -- a daily photo devotional. If you like to pray with all your senses, I recommend Sight Psalms. It's free to subscribe to an email which will send you a photo and short reflection each day. Sign up here.

During these 50 days of Easter, I wish for you resurrection joy.

Blessings,
Beth

P.S. I took this photo last week over at Scarritt-Bennett Center, a great retreat center right here in Nashville.

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
- John 20:18 (NRSV)

Audio Lectio for Easter Sunday: Pray John 20:11-18.

Scripture Readings for Easter Sunday (April 8, 2012)

• Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
• 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or Acts 10:34-43
• John 20:1-18 or Mark 16:1-8

They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. ... And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
- John 19:40, 42 (NRSV)

• Job 14:1-14 or Lamentations 3:1-9, 19-24
• Psalm 31:1-4, 15-16
• 1 Peter 4:1-8
• Matthew 27:57-66 or John 19:38-42

Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
- Isaiah 53:4-5 (NRSV)

Audio Lectio for Good Friday: Pray the scriptures with us. The reading for today is John 19:16-30.

Scripture Readings for Good Friday (April 6)

• Isaiah 52:13-53:12
• Psalm 22
• Hebrews 10:16-25 or Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9
• John 18:1-19:42

When Jesus had given thanks, he broke [the bread] and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
- 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 (NRSV)

• Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14
• Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
• John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
- Hebrews 12:1-3 (NRSV)

• Isaiah 50:4-9a
• Psalm 70
• Hebrews 12:1-3
• John 13:21-32

Jesus said, "The light is with you for a little longer. Walk while you have the light, so that the darkness may not overtake you. If you walk in the darkness, you do not know where you are going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light."
- John 12:35-36 (NRSV)

• Isaiah 49:1-7
• Psalm 71:1-14
• 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
• John 12:20-36

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.
- Isaiah 42:1 (NRSV)

• Isaiah 42:1-9
• Psalm 36:5-11
• Hebrews 9:11-15
• John 12:1-11

Friends, I gave you the wrong phone number for ordering copies of Alive Now. (Is there an editor in the house?) Here's the number you should use to get copies of the Wilderness (M/A) issue of Alive Now: 1.800.972.0433. International folks call call 1.386.246.0199.

This gives me a chance to share a story with you ... about preparing the ashes for Ash Wednesday:

THE ASHES

I'll never think of the ashes for Ash Wednesday in the same way again -- ever since I asked our confirmation class members to assist me in burning some dried-out palm branches in preparation for the Imposition of Ashes.

Our small church doesn't have a confirmation class every year -- not enough kids. And we hadn't needed any new ashes for a few years -- a few ashes go a long way. So I explained to the class that this was perhaps a once-in-a-generation experience -- to be the confirmation class that is chosen to burn the palm branches saved up from several years of Palm Sundays.

We started in the classroom discussing the seasons of the Church year. We talked about how the first Sunday of Advent is New Year's Day for Christians; about how Advent and Lent are both seasons of preparation for the special celebrations of Christmas and Easter. We reviewed the importance of the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday, how the ashes remind us that we are mortal -- that we are God's creations.

Then we moved outside to the parking lot and stood in the cold around a little grill filled with dried palm fronds. We each took a long match and, in unison, lit the matches and held them to the palm leaves.

Whoosh! Dried palm leaves went up in flames. All solemnity vanished as clouds of thick smoke penetrated our clothes, hair, shoes, socks ... We added more palms to the fire and talked about Maundy Thursday and Good Friday -- and camping and marshmallows. (Where were those liturgical marshmallows when we needed them?)

I was struck by the absolute joy that infused this burning of the palms. There was laughter and dancing, joking and prancing. Whatever expectation I had of a somber, quiet ritual was transformed by the smiles and giggles of young people, fully present, enjoying the moment, burning palm leaves in the service of God.

When the palms were all burned, we pulled ourselves together for a closing prayer. Standing in a circle around the grill, we held hands and gave thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit in that fire and in those holy moments. We asked God's blessing for each person there, servants of God, and on the ashes that would be signs of God's love for each person who received them.

The Ash Wednesday ashes are now infused with special meaning. Sure, they are an outward symbol of the Lenten journey of repentance. But they are also infused with holy laughter and blessed with the full-of-life spirits of now-confirmed, young Christians.

When I receive the ashes, I think of Jesus' words, "Repent, and believe in the good news" (Mark 1:15, NRSV). And I believe in that good news with all my heart.

And ... if I am ever invited to update the liturgical calendar for the Church, I'll be adding one Sunday to the calendar -- the day when the confirmation class burns the palms for Ash Wednesday. We could call it ... Conflagration Sunday. (Sorry ... I couldn't resist a little liturgical geek humor.)

Ash Wednesday is February 22. The start of the Lenten journey is just around the corner. Here are some resources for you as you consider how you will enter into this holy season.

Are you feeling called to a journey into Wilderness? -- Alive Now magazine's Lenten issue (March/April) explores the wilderness, a place where we meet God. This issue includes a "Guide to Lent," Lenten prayers, and daily reflections for Lent. It's not too late to order a copy of the printed magazine for yourself, your small group, or your church. Call 1-800-972-0433 and ask for the March/April 2012 issue. (Orders of 10 or more copies receive a discounted price.)

Would you like an online retreat experience? -- Join The Upper Room and BeADisciple.com for a Lenten retreat led by Derek Maul. Reaching Toward Easter: A Lenten Retreat begins on February 22 and continues until April 8. Learn more or register at BeADisciple.com.

Daily Reflections from Alive Now. -- Sign up for Alive Now's daily reflections via email. Receive an email each day with a short reflection on scripture, Wilderness, or Lent. Read a scripture excerpt, explore a spiritual tool. Sign up under the heading, "Stay Connected."

Wanting to know more about Lent? -- Read "Lent 101" by Rev. Penny Ford.

Blessing to you,
Beth