Pastor's February Article (2012)

 February brings us the opportunity to renew our faith by observing and celebrating the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days (excluding Sundays) before Easter.  We recognize 40 days because Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness.  During that time, Jesus fasted and was faced with various temptations.

Lent is a time of renewal and reflection. It gives us the opportunity to evaluate our spiritual lives. It reminds us that we can’t live our lives on the run bouncing from one thing to the next.  Lent is a time to slow down. Slowing down gives us time to reorient our priorities and discover what really matters and restructure our lives accordingly. Lent can be a time when our faith is renewed and revived.

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday which is February 22nd. Ash Wednesday can be the start of our reflection and renewal process. Some individuals observe Lent by giving something up (fasting) such as candy or colas. Others might choose to add new practices of faith to their lives.

Here are some suggestions:

Fasting: There are various kinds of fasts. You can decide to fast one meal a week and give that money to the poor or to some type of charity. You can decide to fast a certain type of food. Alternatively, you can decide that you will fast ‘over-eating’ and only eat what is needed. You could try fasting an attitude, such as anger, judgmentalism, envy, greed, or jealously. I’m sure you get the idea.

Spiritual Disciples: You can add times of silence and solitude, or times of Scripture reading, meditation, or reflection. You can choose to take a walk and reflect. You can decide to attend a Lenten study or luncheon. There are many types of things you can ‘add’ in order to revive your faith.

I pray that whatever you decide, that Lent will be a time of being receptive to God and a season of allowing Him to renew our lives.

May God bless your life during Lent!

Peace,

Dave.