Power Points
March 11, 2010
It's Lent!
The season that starts with ashes on the forehead and ends with Jesus dead in the tomb! Bummer!
(Fortunately after Lent, there's Easter! And by the way, during Lent we don't count Sundays because they are The Lord's Day or little Easters!)
And in between there is lots of fasting and prayer!
(Pastor Mike has prepared a wonderful prayer guide with scripture that includes a suggested fast day of Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you haven't picked up your prayer guide for Lent, you can do so this Sunday!)
Pastor Mike preached a powerful sermon on Ash Wednesday and among other things he said that when we fast or abstain from something we are denying ourselves and building up our self-control muscle! What a great way to look at it! Lent becomes the season of spiritual exercise and training as we seek to become genuine followers of Christ by His grace and with the help of His Spirit!
This year the United Methodist Church is suggesting that its members give up drinking alcoholic beverages for Lent ----for some that might mean giving up Cherry Coke because that's your beverage of choice! Of course United Methodists are encouraged to abstain from alcoholic beverages year-round but the reality is that some enjoy a occasional beer or a glass of wine with dinner. For those who can't live without it, this might be more difficult, or the beginning of a new and healthier lifestyle!
I won't mention any names but I know someone who gave up soap operas for Lent and then realized she could live without them and use her time more productively!
If you give up something for Lent in order to practice self-denial, don't forget to also give up sin and take on Christ! Lent is supposed to be a period of confession and cleansing.
Yes, Lent can be a time of self-reflection and repentance, and ultimately spiritual growth and renewal!
One of the psalms we reflect upon in Lent is Psalm 51 and one of the verses that resonates with many if us is: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." (v. 10)
Join us in this season of self-denial and Christ-renewal!
May His blessings be yours,
Pastor Dan