Transfiguration and the Lenten Journey - Left Overs
This is an important message for all of us but especially so for those who were unable to be at our 10:15 worship service this past Sunday. The theme of Sunday's sermon was centered around preparing ourselves for the Season of Lent - the space of time between Ash Wednesday (tomorrow) and Easter; a season set apart by the Christian Church for the purpose of taking stock and spiritual reflection.
Preparation for this very meaningful seven week period includes, first, reminding ourselves of Lent's purpose and, second, deciding what part of our normal routine we could alter to serve that purpose. Remember, Lent is not just about giving up something for the sake of giving up something. A thousand times no! God doesn't need or desire those kinds of mindless sacrifices to appease Him or assuage His ''wrath.'' Instead, we delete, or add for that matter, something from our daily routine for the purpose of piqueing our attention, reminding us to pause and reflect on Christ and his journey to Jerusalem.
Admittedly, there are many spiritual needs, as well as the attendant exercises that address those needs, in the life of a Christ follower. One of these needs is to have a sense of purpose in life, to find and cultivate a sense of meaning. The Lenten Season is a wonderful exercise for this pursuit in that we are called alongside Jesus in His very intentional trek toward His purpose.
For these forty days we focus on our Lord, especially on the last few months of His earthly/bodily ministry. We pay careful attention to those days in which He resolutely made His way to the place of His betrayal, crucifixion and victorious resurrection.
I hope you will take this time seriously and commit yourself to the exercise of Lent. Find something to add or subtract from your life and allow the daily exercise of this alteration/discipline to serve as a tool, opening a portal to Christ and His example.
In the course of my message Sunday I mentioned a book, Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, that applies powerfully to the matter of finding purpose in life. Two other books that I highly recommend on the same subject are: Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer and Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. Any one of these three would be a great companion to you as we move with Christians everywhere along the Lenten journey toward Resurrection Sunday.
If you have questions or thoughts about the Season of Lent, as always, I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Stan
Preparation for this very meaningful seven week period includes, first, reminding ourselves of Lent's purpose and, second, deciding what part of our normal routine we could alter to serve that purpose. Remember, Lent is not just about giving up something for the sake of giving up something. A thousand times no! God doesn't need or desire those kinds of mindless sacrifices to appease Him or assuage His ''wrath.'' Instead, we delete, or add for that matter, something from our daily routine for the purpose of piqueing our attention, reminding us to pause and reflect on Christ and his journey to Jerusalem.
Admittedly, there are many spiritual needs, as well as the attendant exercises that address those needs, in the life of a Christ follower. One of these needs is to have a sense of purpose in life, to find and cultivate a sense of meaning. The Lenten Season is a wonderful exercise for this pursuit in that we are called alongside Jesus in His very intentional trek toward His purpose.
For these forty days we focus on our Lord, especially on the last few months of His earthly/bodily ministry. We pay careful attention to those days in which He resolutely made His way to the place of His betrayal, crucifixion and victorious resurrection.
I hope you will take this time seriously and commit yourself to the exercise of Lent. Find something to add or subtract from your life and allow the daily exercise of this alteration/discipline to serve as a tool, opening a portal to Christ and His example.
In the course of my message Sunday I mentioned a book, Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, that applies powerfully to the matter of finding purpose in life. Two other books that I highly recommend on the same subject are: Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer and Search for Significance by Robert S. McGee. Any one of these three would be a great companion to you as we move with Christians everywhere along the Lenten journey toward Resurrection Sunday.
If you have questions or thoughts about the Season of Lent, as always, I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Stan
posted by Clear Head Space | 4:06 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home