All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. –Ecclesiastes 3:20 NIV

The Ash Wednesday service in the Book of Common Prayer (p.264) begins with the prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Ash Wednesday (March 6 this year) is the start of the season of Lent on the Christian calendar. It marks the beginning of a season of penitence in the church year in preparation for the power and glory of Easter. Many who were not raised in the church or in a liturgical tradition ask me what Ash Wednesday and Lent are all about. I guess some of the ancient customs cause at least a bit of curiosity.

The most obvious custom is the imposition of ashes. This dates from the early church and is a remembrance of our mortality. The ashes are made from the Palm Sunday palms from the previous year. These ashes are administered by the priest with the words: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. (BCP, p265) They are an outward sign of the inward work we are called to during Lent and they help set the tone for the season. We are encouraged to remember the proper order of things – God is in charge and we are His created beings. The opening prayer puts this in perspective for us by reminding us that God hates nothing He has made and that He is the God of all mercy. Yet, we are reminded that He is our source of life and source of our forgiveness.

So often we think we are in charge. We think we control our days and our choices, and to some extent that is true; we have free will. But, as Christians, we are called to understand that there is more to the story than that. Lent calls us back to right relationship with God. As we remember that we are dust, that we are frail, we acknowledge that we are part of a much bigger story and we are not the center of the universe. God is the main character and we are not.

As we humble ourselves in prayer and fasting, we receive the reconciliation with God that changes everything. We are His beloved children and His desire for us is good. Just as parents administers discipline in order to mold the character of their children, so too, does our loving Father desire for us to live within the healthy framework of His word to mold our character into His own image. When we let Him be in charge of our days and our choices, He works miracles in and through us and employs us in work that advances His Kingdom here on earth.

As this Lenten season begins, I encourage you to consider where your life is out of control and out of step with God’s Kingdom principles. Repent (which really means turn back) and come back into a right relationship with the Lord. Consider how you might spend more time in prayer and study during this time. Slow down and simplify so that you make more room for God to direct your steps. But, this is more than a chance to get yourself back on track, it is a chance to seek God for how you are uniquely called to be His hands and feet in world that is in great need of His healing touch. A kind word, acts of service, ministering to those in need are all ways to walk out the season in meaningful ways. Look inward to your own need for reconciliation with God then look outward for ways to serve others.

May you be blessed as you begin this holy season.

Disciplines to Consider:

• Read a Daily Devotional
• Find a Social Service to Serve daily/weekly
• Fast from something or take on a habit during Lent

Books to Consider Reading:

• A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World by Paul E. Miller
• A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson
• Lent and Easter: Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen compiled by Judy Bauer
• Prayer: Communing with God in Everything compiled by W.L. Seavers
• Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home by Richard Foster
• Show Me the Way by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Devotionals:

• Lent and Easter: Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen compiled by Judy Bauer
• Lent for Everyone by N.T. Wright
• Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Habits:

• Turn the TV off, Limit your cell phone use
• Write a letter to encourage a friend everyday
• Call a family member with a word of encouragement and Scripture
• Find ways to meet and care for your neighbors
• Simplify: find ways to pare down possessions, commitments, etc…
• Exercise more
• Daily neighborhood walks
• Speak kind words
• Practice patience
• Choose to be joyful
• Look for opportunities to be compassionate

Fasts:

• From food
• From media (Yes, this might include social media!)
• From music
• From sugar, salt, fat, etc…
• From self-indulgence
• From Alcohol
• From eating out and then giving what would be spent to others

Interactive: Biola University’s Lent Project    ccca.biola.edu

Photos courtesy of unsplash.

Great article by Ruth Haley Barton and worth the read at the start of a new season:

Guidance on using the lectionary. Lectionary readings for January 6, 2017: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72: 1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 “A good journey begins with knowing where you are and being willing to go somewhere else.” Richard Rohr Today we celebrate epiphany—the “showing forth” or “the revelation” of Christ in the world. Epiphany takes its themes …

Source: Epiphany: In Celebration of the Journey

 

Foundations for Ministry is 2 year adult Bible study course designed to lead the participant through both Old and New Testaments over 2 academic years. This is done with a combination of daily Bible study and weekly gatherings in the local church for teaching  and small group discussion time. It is intended for those who wish to deepen their understanding of Scripture and our Christian heritage.  It will also equip participants to meet the challenges of daily of life and opportunities for ministry in the Church and in the world.

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. –Ecclesiastes 3:20 NIV

The Ash Wednesday service in the Book of Common Prayer (p.264) begins with the prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

 Ash Wednesday (February 10 this year) is the start of the season of Lent on the Christian calendar. It marks the beginning of a season of penitence in the church year in preparation for the power and glory of Easter. Many who were not raised in the church or in a liturgical tradition ask me what Ash Wednesday and Lent are all about. I guess some of the ancient customs cause at least a bit of curiosity.

The most obvious custom is the imposition of ashes. This dates from the early church and is a remembrance of our mortality. The ashes are made from the Palm Sunday palms from the previous year. These ashes are administered by the priest with the words: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return”. (BCP, p265) They are an outward sign of the inward work we are called to during Lent and they help set the tone for the season. We are encouraged to remember the proper order of things – God is in charge and we are His created beings. The opening prayer puts this in perspective for us by reminding us that God hates nothing He has made and that He is the God of all mercy. Yet, we are reminded that He is our source of life and source of our forgiveness.

So often we think we are in charge. We think we control our days and our choices, and to some extent that is true; we have free will. But, for the Christian, we are called to understand that there is more to the story than that. Lent calls us back to right relationship with God. As we remember that we are dust, that we are frail, we acknowledge that we are part of a much bigger story and we are not that center of the universe. God is the main character and we are not. As we humble ourselves in prayer and fasting, we receive the reconciliation with God that changes everything. We are His beloved children and His desire for us is good. Just as a parent administers discipline in order to mold the character of their children, so too, does our loving Father desire for us to live within the healthy framework of His word to mold our character into His own image. When we let Him be in charge of our days and our choices, He works miracles in and through us and employs us in work that advances His Kingdom here on earth.

As this Lenten season begins, I encourage you to consider where your life is out of control and out of step with God’s Kingdom principles. Repent (which really means turn back) and come back into a right relationship with the Lord. Consider how you might spend more time in prayer and study during this time. But, this is more than a chance to get yourself back on track, it is a chance to seek God for how you are uniquely called to be His hands and feet to a world that is in great need of His healing touch. A kind word, acts of service, ministering to those in need are all ways to walk out the season in meaningful ways. Look inward to your own need for reconciliation with God then look outward for ways to serve others.

May you blessed as you begin this holy season.

Every year about this time much of the Christian world pauses to consider, at least for a few minutes, how to mark the church season of Lent. The season carries quite a bit of traditional baggage for some and others it brings back memories of giving up chocolate or some other coveted treat from a while. For many it is a variation of the New Year’s resolution — other exercise that begins with all good intention but fizzles out in a matter of days. But, if you will bear with me and set that aside for a few moments, perhaps we can take a look at what can be gained from keeping a holy Lent.

The season itself dates from the early church. It was a season of preparation for those expressed a desire to become Christians. In the earliest days, it was very difficult and even illegal in the Roman Empire to be a Christian and could mean alienation from family and friends or even death to those who chose to walk the way of Christ. It was not something to be entered into lightly. The 40 day season was to be one of discernment and reflection leading up to baptism on the evening before Easter. This was also a penitential season when those who had drifted away or those who had been separated from the church by sin would recommit to the Christian way by fasting and performing acts of service. It evolved into a season of reflection and self-denial and, some would say, it even devolved into a legalistic list of things you could not do. But, the practices of Lent that date from the church’s early history were and still have value for Christians today.

What if we were to set aside the season of Lent to focus on our spiritual life and growth? Similar to taking time to focus on our physical health, it can have real benefit. Perhaps it is to slow down a little to allow some breathing space in our overscheduled lives. Perhaps it is to unplug from our digital life in one or more areas for a season to allow more time for prayer and reflection. Perhaps it is to modify our eating in some way by fasting or simplifying our diet in order to focus on the needs of those who live in hunger most of the time. And maybe it is a time to focus outward on the needs of others instead of just thinking about ourselves. There are many good ways to keep the season of Lent… what way would God have you keep the season this year?

Stay tuned in the days ahead for posts about Ash Wednesday and its meaning and for more ideas for making this Lenten season holy.

Welcome!

Return often for short articles on how you can renew your walk and deepen your faith through Bible study, simple spiritual exercises and prayer.