In the Olive Press with Jesus {part four: Healing in the Desert}
Posted on February 29th, 2012
Well, let me suggest a reason why we’d better take the trip! Gifts are waiting there that will not come easily; but those who are interested in the ‘healing gifts of the desert’ will discover that the desert is rich and verdant in its promise of healing and transformation.
Healing and transformation in Lent? Aren’t those spiritual realities more appropriate to the Easter Season, when all the world is turning to Spring…when alleluias are sounding from everyone’s lips and a crucified Jewish carpenter comes leaping and dancing from his tomb? Certainly Easter is the season of new life as epitomized in the resurrection. But this new life begins long before the Paschal celebrations. It begins back in the wilderness desert of Lent where it is known by another name—conversion.
Could it be that we frequently fail to appropriate and appreciate the healing gifts of Lent because we are so blissfully unaware that we need them? Lent is about giving up of something, yes—giving up our false gods, our false selves, and our false notion that we can make it on our own. And the ‘desert’ is just the place for that to happen.
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Join me each week on Wednesdays throughout the Lenten season to hear a few thoughts from my dad, Dr. Charles Killian (a.k.a. “Chuck”).
Hey Elaine! I've been MIA for sooo long, but I'm back in the blogging groove and wanted to stop by your place for a visit. I pray that you and yours are doing well.
Oh how blessed I was to read this and several of your prior posts. Lent is such a precious soul searching season….thank you so much for sharing your fathers teaching…such a blessing. Also, I too long to live a edited life…a open manuscript continually edited by His Hand.
HE IS FAITHFUL!
Love and Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
"Personal decrease and spiritual increase." – I like that.
And yes – I all too often fail to seek Him in these seasons….because I'm all too often unaware and blind to the fact that I NEED Him. But I do….I DO!
Blessings to you,
Kate
Lent is challenging for me this year because it involves sleep, which seems to come naturally for most everyone but me. Last Fall I weaned myself off of a sleeping pill I've taken for 25 years, but I've yet to master the sleep thing. My vow was to start gearing down by 9pm and set the stage for sleep: reading the Bible and talking to God. While I do pretty well with that, I'm waiting until 11pm which throws everything off. Doesn't sound like a big problem, but it is, for me.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
I've had sleep issues for years, Brenda, so I get this one. Like you, I wind down by reading the Bible and praying. I can usually get to sleep; I just can't stay there for very long.
Healing and transformation (Jesus was healed and transformed after His resurrection)
He had endured the desert by His leaning on His Father's truths and His Holy Spirit's guidance…underfire He was being strengthened even further for what was ahead of Him. Praying He guides us to the other side of the desert where His wellspring flows
Personal decrease, spiritual increase….reminds me of John 3:30…He must increase, I must decrease. It is my constant prayer. Praying for you still!
Love the thought of healing gifts in the desert. God always has something for us in our present situtions, doesn't He?
Healing and transformation, woo hoo!! I am packing my bags, destination, the desert.
Thank you so much for stopping by my place! It made my day. And linking my post to your facebook account..makes my day even more
Thank you. May the Lord bless you with revelation and peace today!
- Katie
This year has been a dry season in my spiritual life…times of questioning, doubting, hurting. I've spent too much time focused on the situations, instead of The One who leads, heals and transforms me in the midst of it all. Lent is my time to set aside all of the distractions (along with chocolate, just so you know). God alone can quench my thirst.
Loving this Lenten series and your dad's thoughts on the season.
Miss you lots, dear friend.
Hugs…
We all experience those desert times in our faith walk. It can be so hard some days. But God …
He indeed is our deliverer; a strong tower we can run to. You have been such a good example as you've gone through your health challenges and yet continue to praise Him.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
wifeforthejourney:
Ahhh the desert….no place I want to go….at least lately. How I have longed, instead, for a life of ease and few responsibilities – in fact I've probably spent so much time thinking about finding something like Black Beard's treasure in our back yard that I am missing lessons God has for me.
As much as I'd like to find an "X-marks-the-spot" treasure map to a few million, there is already a treasure waiting for me to re-discover – intimacy with Christ. So, if I'm ready to dig up our backyard looking for gold how can I refuse the desert when it promises something bigger than lazy daydreams? Thanks for the good word you and your dad have committed to share during Lent, there are a lot of us out here that need to find our way back to the desert!
Love you,
Billy