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The clash of cultures
This year Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day were on the same day. The last time that happened was 2018. The juxtaposition of those two events are odd enough, but throw in this: In 2018 there was the mass shooting at Parkland High School in Florida. This year there was a mass shooting at the end of the victory celebration for…
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Ash Wednesday
6 Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke?
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Lessons in Epiphany
We are in this liminal space from the last Sunday in Epiphany to Ash Wednesday. It is a space of transition. A shift is happening.
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FOCUS… it is Ash Wednesday
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Gal. 6:14) “The Cross is the great revealer, exposing the temporary stuff of earth and directing our hearts and minds toward the everlasting substance of eternity.” — Jay Kim
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Prayers for Ash Wednesday
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…
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The journey of Lent
Ash Wednesday Readings: Psalm 95, 32, 143, 102, 130 Amos 5:6-15 Heb. 12:1-14 Luke 18:9-14
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Beginning the journey of Lent
Seek the Lord and live, or else God might rush like a fire against the house of Joseph. The fire will burn up Bethel, with no one to put it out. (Amos 5:6) We begin with Ash Wednesday. It is a time to seek the Lord. Amos was written to a nation in prosperity, but spiritually they were in a…
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The God Who Looks You in the Eye
8 I will instruct and teach you about how you should live. I will advise you as I look you in the eye. (Ps. 32:8, NET Bible) Today is Ash Wednesday. We begin Lent in the Church. (Not all of the Church, but part of the Church. It is our part, anyway.) This is a day of observance. We come before…
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Why Lent?
As a Pentecostal, I am encouraged by hearing about more and more Pentecostals/Charismatics who actually observe Lent in some way. I also understand there are vast numbers who still don’t observe. More problematic to me, however, are those who almost laugh off Lent and especially Good Friday. They claim some superiority of spirituality by saying righteous things like, “We don’t…
Tag: Ash Wednesday
