MethodX

MethodX is an excellent website with lots of information on spiritual practices which can help move you closer to Christ during Lent. (Lots of folks read the daily devotions from the Upper Room; MethodX is put together by the same folks who publish the Upper Room.)

Fridays in Lent

Fridays during Lent are traditionally fast days. Fasting is most often associated with food - refraining from eating in order to connect with God. Eric Reed writes about giving up the television for Lent.

Are you giving up anything for Lent?

Some have suggested instead of "giving up" something that we "take up" something. What could you add to your life during Lent which would help you grow closer to God? Setting aside time daily to read and meditate on the scriptures? Helping in a local mission such as this one in OKC?

"Just As I Am"

The old hymn "Just As I Am" is often times associated with 'altar calls' and certain denominations. We make jokes about singing 50 verses while waiting for someone to make their way down front to give their life to Christ.

I believe there is great power in the words to this hymn. Hearing it in a different context can make all the difference in how we experience this hymn. The words are especially powerfully as we begin this season called Lent. We come to God, just as we are. And God meets us where we are... and we journey together.

1.      Just as I am, without one plea, 
 but that thy blood was shed for me, 
 and that thou bidst me come to thee, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

2. Just as I am, and waiting not 
 to rid my soul of one dark blot, 
 to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

3. Just as I am, though tossed about 
 with many a conflict, many a doubt, 
 fightings and fears within, without, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; 
 sight, riches, healing of the mind, 
 yea, all I need in thee to find, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 
 wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; 
 because thy promise I believe, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

6. Just as I am, thy love unknown 
 hath broken every barrier down; 
 now, to be thine, yea thine alone, 
 O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

"Merciful God, you called us forth from the dust of the earth; you claimed us for Christ in the waters of Baptism. Look upon us as we enter these Forty Days bearing the marks of ashes, and bless our journey through the desert of Lent to the font of rebirth. May our fasting be hunger for justice; our alms, a making of peace; our prayer, the chant of humble and grateful hearts. All that we do and pray is in the name of Jesus, for in his cross you proclaim your love for ever and ever. Amen."

- from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

Take My Life....

More on Ash Wednesday

Ken Collins writes about Ash Wednesday, fasting, and what we hope to accomplish during Lent.

"Therefore, let us show that we as Christians are not just Jesus’ groupies, we are His friends. Let us be bold to join Him, fasting in the wilderness for forty days during Lent; let us be bold to pray with Him in the garden on Maundy Thursday, let us fearlessly stand at the foot of His cross on Good Friday, so that we may witness His Resurrection and His Ascension, and join in His triumphant reign. And on that Last Day, when Jesus brushes away the groupies, let us be among His true friends, whom He welcomes into His glory."

Sundays are Feast Days!

Lent is a time of repentance (turning from sin) and of fasting. However, since Sundays are the Lord's Day (and a day of feasting and celebration,) they are not a part of Lent. Sundays are like a "little Easter" which comes around every 7 days. This is why we say Lent is 40 days since we don't count the Sundays! We don't fast on Sundays. Instead, we celebrate the resurrection, even during Lent.

Old Testament Reading for Ash Wednesday

This is the traditional Ash Wednesday reading from the Old Testament - Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, it is near— a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come...Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the Lord, your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy. Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” (NRSV)

• Read these verses slowly several times.
• What word or phrase stands out to you?
• What is this verse saying to you?

Ash Wednesday at Acts 2

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent in the church. Lent is a season of forty days (not counting Sundays) and is a season of preparation for Easter. According to the United Methodist Book of Worship, Lent began as period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts to the Christian faith and then became a time of penance for all Christians. Lent is a time of spiritual renewal. The term Lent literally means "spring." It is a time of renewal, rebirth and new life. This works well for those of us living in the northern hemisphere where it literally is springtime.

Ash Wednesday is a time for the community of faith to gather and reflect on our own mortality and confess our sin before God. During the service, worshipers are invited to receive ashes on their forehead as a reminder that we were created from the dust of the earth and to dust we shall all return some day. Nevertheless, we who believe receive eternal life. Though we die, yet shall we live. Ash Wednesday is a somber time, a time of reflection, and a time to decide how to grow closer to Christ.

The Ash Wednesday worship experience at Acts 2 will be on Wednesday, February 25 at 6:30 p.m. (There will be a time for children with Rev. Nancy during the service and they will have their own lesson during Rev. Mark's message as we do each Sunday morning at Acts 2.)

There are numerous traditions associated with the season of Lent. During the next few weeks, I will be posting information daily about these traditions as well as my own collection of thoughts about the season of Lent. In addition, I will post scriptures that are often read during Lent with some of my reflections on God's Word.

Blessed be God who forgives all our sins,
Pastor Scott