Get your Ash (Somewhere).
Ash Wednesday is upon us. The time each year that is set aside to reflect on the duplicity of our ever present mortality, coupled with the never ending mercies of God. A loving God that grants us safe passage from the ashpit of life to the eternal hope we have in Christ. And so with both deep humility and great hope we receive the ashes that mark the beginning of our 40 day journey (plus Sundays aka little Easters) to the cross, through the grave, and into the glorious light found Resurrection morning. English please! Ok, you are going to die. Have you stopped for a second to inspect how you are living while you still have the breath of life filling your lungs?
Why participate in Ash Wednesday?
By participating in Ash Wednesday, you will begin the Lenten season with a solid commitment made with the strength of the community around you. A strong start makes it more probable you will finish strong!
In between the last of The Tatonut Kingcake donuts, the final parades, and other fun & festive Mardi Gras celebrations, be thinking what you could give up for Lent?
What could you offer? A technology fast? Refrain from eating out as much? Turn the faucet off your running mouth.
But more importantly, ponder what you can "add" to fill the void created by your fast--Start a daily scripture reading practice. Tomorrow I'm starting a @YouVersion plan 'Journeying With Jesus - 40 Days Lent Devotional'. Check it out here---> Click here to join me! Set a dedicated time to pray? Commit to being in worship each Sunday of Lent? Just can't be there? Join our online worshipping community. Forgive someone? Gather around your family's table more? Use the money you saved from eating during Lent to start a "Giving Jar."
The entire point of "giving up" something or "adding something" is to make an intentional effort to draw closer to God as we focus on our 40 day journey to Easter morning.
God is not the one that moves away from us. As we seek to refocus our lives and center our hearts around Christ, God will be found.
One who reads your carefully selected words must certainly understand that you and your family have, indeed, witnessed the most painful hurt that humans can, on this earth, and added challenges to continue on the path that you and yours have confidently chosen to follow, supported by an absolute feeling of endorsement by God, Himself.
ReplyDeleteWhen our entire world crumbles before us taking away loved ones, , parents, children and leaving a hole in our hearts and a blockade in our minds, hatred, disbelief, and constant questioning our Lord and Savior, we have the humanly controlled attitude of “Why even try?”and how we can even come close to believing what we’re trying to lead others to believe since our “DOUBTS” are so magnified by our own experience that we feel that our positions should be reversed.
I, too, have lost a parent to suicide and experienced the thousands of questions that cloud our mind, heart and actions. Our trust, belief and faith are put on trial and very difficult to regain, if ever. I cherish your testimony and look so forward to you being my pastor. With your experiences, one could feel confident in coming to you with questions or concerns about one’s faith, belief or just a “christian to christian “ discussion.
Thank you and your family (and of course, “Our Lord and Savior”) for a true and most certainly, God called, tested, tried and endorsed Ministers, teachers, and prime EXAMPLES of God called pastors!!!!!!!
One of your sheep who takes this opportunity to thank you and praise our God for his will being accomplished.
M. J. (Joe) Godwin
You’ve passed the many tests and challenges placed before you and with those many, tough accomplishments, it’s obvious that you are truly a God called pastor. I look forward to introducing you as “MY Pastor”!!!!
ReplyDeleteM. J. (Joe) Godwin