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Tag: lent

Climbing Trees & Changing Lives: A Letter from Zacchaeus — April 6, 2025

Climbing Trees & Changing Lives: A Letter from Zacchaeus

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

A short work of fiction –

“I got a letter in the mail today—from my son, Zacchaeus. Yes, that Zacchaeus. He wrote:

“I heard Jesus was coming through Jericho. As chief tax collector, I knew people hated me—maybe for good reason. I’d built a life on their losses. But something stirred. I ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree like a child, just to see Him.”

Then Jesus stopped. Right under that tree.

“Zacchaeus, come down. I must stay at your house today.”

He knew my name. He didn’t rebuke me. He invited Himself in.

“It changed everything, Mom. I gave half of what I owned to the poor. I paid back four times what I stole. Jesus came to find the lost—and He found me.”

And then, his letter turned tender:

“Mom, maybe He’s calling your name too.””

Let’s take a few moments to reflect on this story.

Zacchaeus reminds us what Lent is really about: repentance, change, and grace. He felt unworthy, but Jesus called him by name. The crowds grumbled, but it didn’t matter—Jesus saw him.

We’ve all been Zacchaeus at some point—feeling small, hidden, maybe ashamed. But Jesus sees. Jesus calls. Jesus loves—more than He hates sin.

So as we near the end of Lent, maybe we ask ourselves:

  • What trees are we willing to climb to see Jesus?
  • Who needs our apology, our kindness, our open heart?
  • What can we give—not just in money, but in prayer, time, and love?

May we be generous. May we be kind. And may we remember: we are called by name.

Because the community—the bread we offer each other—isn’t just within the church walls. It’s out there, waiting to be fed.

Who are you feeding today?

Please share your thoughts. Has this story spoken to your heart or life today?

00:00 Opening Worship and Call to Worship

05:45 Sharing Good News and Community Updates

12:37 Interactive Scripture Reading with Children

21:37 A Life Transformed by Jesus

24:05 Reflections on Sin and Redemption

29:01 Living a Life of Repentance and Community

*picture found on Pinterest

Project for Lent — April 4, 2025

Project for Lent

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

This is not a transcript but some additional thoughts:

In this video I share a bit of a tutorial as I knit the 10 row blanket – adding in a new colour/section.

What does this project mean to me? While I knit, I meditate. I meditate on the day, the weekly scripture. I pray for my family, friends, and community.

With so much chaos in our world today a few moments of relaxation, stillness, and prayer is just what the Doctor would order – if I had a GP that is.

Watch the recording of Facebook live:

I think I chose a especially a modular one, because it’s only 10 stitches and it’s something I can work on every day.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket (free on Ravelry)

While working on this blanket, I’m not finding specific emotions connected with it, possibly joy. It’s very calming to work on it. I don’t have stress or anxiety about needing to get it done or moving forward with it. It’s just coming together.

The colors I use are coming from bits and pieces that I have had spindle spun over the last few months that are in jars. And when I choose a color, the only thing I’m looking at is that it’s not the same as what is the row before. So it needs to be contrasting or complementary, but not the same. But I’m not creating a specific color pattern as I go.

Working on a modular design means I don’t have to worry about getting through, like, 200 stitches in a day or in an hour or whatever. Ten ten stitches and then 10 stitches back, so 20 stitches. It it isn’t very much. And I try to work on whatever little ball of yarn I have. I try to finish that color when I sit. But it’s not time it doesn’t hold me up whether or not I have enough time to do it. It’s the time I have intentionally decided to pick it up.

In the last week of working on this blanket, I realized that there is a message to be found here about diversity, about differences, and how things can all mesh together, that we’re all interwoven. So I believe there’s a sermon in there.

So do my colors reflect my personal journey? I don’t believe so. I’m drawn to purple, blues, pinks, but the bulk of the blanket are more neutral earth tones. So I’m not sure color plays into the emotion for me.

So the colors I choose might reflect my day. Or if I’m tired of working on neutral tones, maybe I want a splash of color in there to brighten things up. Or maybe the day’s dark because it’s raining and cloudy and foggy. And so I need something in purples or pinks, gold or yellow to lift my spirit.

I think the modular design connects with my personal journey in that small changes are helpful, that although it’s been a long road in life to get to where I am, there have been bits and pieces of my life that have come together in beautiful ways and helped me to move forward in much the same way as this blanket does, in much the same way as my faith does.

May you continue to find blessings as you walk through Lent to the celebration of Resurrection Day!

Pastor Barb aka Doll

Lenten Readings: Week One — March 6, 2025

Lenten Readings: Week One

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

I’ve created a devotional for Lent that can be used along with our KAL. May you find a blessing here. (Picture found on Pintrest)

Week 1: The Word Became Flesh

Day 1: John 1:1-5
Reflection: Jesus is the Word, the light that shines in the darkness. How is His light shining in your life?
Prayer: Lord, help me to see Your light and share it with others. Amen.

Day 2: John 1:14
Reflection: Jesus took on flesh and dwelled among us. How does this truth impact your relationship with Him?
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for coming to live among us. Teach me to abide in You. Amen.

Day 3: John 1:29-34
Reflection: John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God. Do you acknowledge Him daily as your Light and guide.
Prayer: Lord, open my eyes to see You clearly and follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.

Day 4: John 2:1-11
Reflection: Jesus’ first miracle at Cana shows His power to transform. How do you need His transformation today?
Prayer: Lord, change my heart and make me new in You. Amen.

Day 5: John 3:1-8
Reflection: Being born again is a spiritual renewal. Have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s work in your life?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, renew me daily and draw me closer to You. Amen.

Day 6: John 3:16-21
Reflection: God’s love is revealed in Jesus. Do you live in the freedom of His love?
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Your everlasting love. Help me to walk in it. Amen.

Day 7: John 4:7-26
Reflection: Jesus offers living water. Are you thirsty for more of Him?
Prayer: Fill me, Jesus, with Your living water so I may never thirst again. Amen.

The Lenten Blanket: Embracing Imperfection and Seeking the Sacred — March 5, 2025

The Lenten Blanket: Embracing Imperfection and Seeking the Sacred

/Barbara (Doll) Creelman/Leave a comment

My Lenten Blanket as a Spiritual Practice

  • I started my Lenten project, a log cabin-style blanket, but quickly realized I didn’t like the pattern I had chosen. So, I changed it to something that felt more natural.
  • This blanket is made from my handspun, all Canadian wool—Shetland from Nova Scotia and a Bluefaced Leicester/Merino blend from Ontario.
  • Just like the season of Lent, this project is about creating a daily rhythm of prayer, meditation, and reflection as I knit.

Embracing Imperfection and Growth

  • As I knit, I notice how some stitches are uneven and messy, just like life. But both the perfect and the imperfect pieces come together to create something whole.
  • I considered ripping it out and starting over, but I decided to embrace the imperfections, knowing that growth happens in the process.
  • This reminds me of the Lenten journey—accepting where I am while also striving for transformation.

Feeding My Soul and Finding Gratitude

  • At Bible study this morning, we talked about the “bread of life” and how we nourish our souls—not just with food, but through prayer, community, and the things we take in daily.
  • I ask myself: How am I feeding my soul today? What am I doing to strengthen my relationship with the Divine?
  • Gratitude is a powerful practice. When I take a moment to notice the blessings around me, everything shifts.

As I continue knitting this blanket, stitch by stitch, I’m reminded that Lent is not about perfection—it’s about the journey. Each day, I’ll show up, knit a little, pray a little, and reflect on the ways I can grow. Some days will be smooth, and others will feel messy, but all of it is part of something bigger.

So, I invite you to join me in this rhythm. Take a moment to reflect, to pray, to create, and most of all, to notice the blessings around you. We are all works in progress, but together, we are being shaped into something whole. God bless. I look forward to sharing this journey with you.

You can find the 10 row blanket here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket