{"id":1048,"date":"2010-03-05T03:01:41","date_gmt":"2010-03-05T03:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/03\/live-blogging-lent-with-a-little-help-from-my-friends.html"},"modified":"2010-03-05T03:01:41","modified_gmt":"2010-03-05T03:01:41","slug":"live-blogging-lent-with-a-little-help-from-my-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/03\/live-blogging-lent-with-a-little-help-from-my-friends.html","title":{"rendered":"Live Blogging Lent: With a Little Help From My Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part 7 of series: Live Blogging Lent
\n<\/em>Permalink for this post<\/a> \/ Permalink for this series<\/a>
\nI doubt that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were thinking about Lent when they wrote: “With a Little Help From My Friends.” And I doubt Ringo Starr envisioned Lenten disciplines when he sang the song for the Beatles’ 1967 album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band<\/em>. But, the truth is, that our experience of Lent is enriched when we share it with friends.
\nTo be sure, the support and partnership of Christian friends can help us in the fasting element of Lent. If someone knows of your commitment to give up something pleasurable for six weeks, that person can offer encouragement and accountability. Shared sacrifice can also help us when we are feeling tempted to abandon our fast.
\nSharing Lent with others also impacts our experience besides fasting. For example, many churches host special Lenten Bible studies or worship services. These seasonal gatherings can draw our hearts to the Lord.
\nLast week I participated in a Lenten chapel service at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas, not far from the offices of Laity Lodge. The Friday noon service was simple, befitting the season, but it was not somber or gloomy. The Call to Worship based on Psalm 27 urged us to \u201cWait for the Lord!\u201d The opening hymn, \u201cMy Song Is Love Unknown,\u201d focused on the love of Christ: \u201cLove to the loveless shown, That they might lovely be.\u201d A moving solo of the contemporary song \u201cVia Dolorosa\u201d preceded my scripture reading of Philippians 3:17-4 and my short homily based on this text. (Photo: First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, Texas.)
\nAfter the sermon, the congregation and I joined together in a stirring prayer. The bulletin explained that it was based on a fourteenth-century prayer know as Anima Christi<\/em> (\u201cSoul of Christ\u201d). Here is that prayer:<\/p>\n

Soul of Jesus, sanctify me.
\nBlood of Jesus, wash me.
\nPassion of Jesus, comfort me.
\nWounds of Jesus, hide me.
\nHeart of Jesus, receive me.
\nSpirit of Jesus, enliven me.
\nGoodness of Jesus, pardon me.
\nBeauty of Jesus, draw me.
\nHumility of Jesus, humble me.
\nPeace of Jesus, pacify me.
\nLove of Jesus, inflame me.
\nKingdom of Jesus, come to me.
\nGrace of Jesus, replenish me.
\nMercy of Jesus, pity me.
\nSanctity of Jesus, sanctify me.
\nCross of Jesus, support me.
\nNails of Jesus, hold me.
\nMouth of Jesus, bless me.
\nJesus, Son of God, save me. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The service concluded with the congregation singing the African-American spiritual: \u201cI Want Jesus to Walk with Me,\u201d followed by a benediction. Then, the worshipers gathered together for a simple lunch, a time of good food and conversation.
\nLast week, I \u201cgot by with a little help from my friends\u201d at First Presbyterian in Kerrville Their chapel service reminded me of the most important Lenten friend all of. This friend is celebrated in the lyrics of \u201cMy Song is Love Unknown,\u201d with which I close this post:<\/p>\n

Christ came from heaven’s throne,
\nSalvation to bestow,
\nBut people scorned and none,
\nThe longed-for Christ would know.
\nBut O my Friend,
\nMy Friend indeed,
\nWho at my need his life did spend.
\nHere might I stay and sing,
\nNo story so divine:
\nNever was love, dear King,
\nNever was grief like Thine.
\nThis is my Friend,
\nIn whose sweet praise,
\nI all my days,
\nCould gladly spend.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

(Verses 2 and 5 of “My Song is Love Unknown” by Samuel Crossman, 1664. public domain.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Part 7 of series: Live Blogging Lent Permalink for this post \/ Permalink for this series I doubt that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were thinking about Lent when they wrote: “With a Little Help From My Friends.” And I doubt Ringo Starr envisioned Lenten disciplines when he sang the song for the Beatles’ 1967…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-holy-week-easter"],"yoast_head":"\nLive Blogging Lent: With a Little Help From My Friends - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1048"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1048\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}