The season of Lent is upon us.  This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day period of fasting and prayer for many Christians in preparation for Easter.  There are, however, 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday, so how do you explain the seeming discrepancy?  Since Jesus Christ resurrected on Sunday and since all Sundays – not just Easter Sunday – were to be celebrated for Christ’s Resurrection, the Roman Catholic Church, which began the tradition of Lent, excluded Sundays in its calculation of the 40 days, which incidentally was to mirror Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the desert before He began His public ministry.
At the dinner table on Ash Wednesday, my daughter Stacey point blank asked me, “So what are you giving up during Lent, Mom?”  As a pastor, I wish I could tell you that I had earnestly prayed about it long before Stacey asked me and had an answer right away, but I had not really thought about it so I was caught off guard.  I had to come up with something really fast without letting anyone know that I am panicking.  I was tempted to say I was going on the Daniel Fast, giving up meat for Lent, but I was in the middle of chowing down on pork barbeque.  The thought of giving up Facebook crossed my mind briefly, but FB is a valuable ministry tool for me, keeping an eye on how my beloved congregation members are doing spiritually and otherwise (I hope that doesn’t sound too creepy, like I am stalking people on FB!).  I could’ve said I would give up drinking soda or eating chocolate, but I felt like that would be more from a selfish motive to improve my health or lose a few unwanted pounds.   I managed to mutter, “I am still thinking about it,” and quickly changed the subject, praying Stacey would not push me further.
Since then I’ve been thinking about what, if any, God may want me to give up during Lent this year.   I couldn’t help but wonder if my effort to achieve a heightened state of spirituality and purity during Lent by giving up certain pleasures in life would really impress God, knowing full well that once lent is over, my life is most likely to return to business as usual.   Worse yet, I may even indulge in the things I gave up during Lent to compensate for my ‘sacrifice,’   much like people who gain weight during Ramadan,  the Islamic holy month of fasting, by excessively eating and drinking all night while fasting during the daylight hours.  That would be a classic example of following the “letter of the law” while disregarding the “spirit of the law.”    Even well-meaning Christians can err the same way if giving up something for Lent inadvertently causes us to have a sense of self-righteousness or  to judge others with a ‘holier-than-thou’ attitude.   As honorable as people’s efforts to observe Lent are, we have to be very careful to check our intentions and guard against spiritual pride because “knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”  
So, if you cannot decide what to give up for Lent, here’s a thought: how about adding something to your life during Lent?  Instead of focusing on you – all that you are giving up or sacrificing, how about adding something that helps you focus on someone else in need?   I believe ultimately that is the true spirit of Lent, to serve those God has brought into our lives, just as Jesus Christ came to meet our needs; to reconcile us with God so we can have the gift of eternal life.  Lent is indeed an excellent time to be reminded of what Jesus said, “I tell you the truth; whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me,” and put it into practice.  So this Lent, you may still see me eat meet, get on FB, and eat tons of chocolate, but I hope and pray that you will also see me surrender myself to serve His people each and every day as I am compelled by the love of Christ.

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
March 9, 2014

Last year, when we were in Ecuador for missions, we visited an old Roman Catholic cathedral.  It was several centuries old and one of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever been in.  Huge open doorways at several entrances opened right into the heart of bustling city streets as parishioners quietly sat on ancient benches in quiet contemplation.  And as I walked around the house of worship appreciating the architecture, beauty, and art, it was through these doors that I saw a sight that helped me understand my God a little more.
Sitting on the sidewalk a few feet from the open doors was a woman holding a listless boy.  The child was too big to be held – perhaps 8 or so – but he was fast asleep.  The woman wasn’t begging for money verbally, but her eyes spoke her desperate words well enough.  I had obviously seen beggars before but for some reason, that woman with that child in that setting hit me very differently.
As soon as I saw her, thousands of thoughts rushed through my head.  First, was the sympathy for her and her child’s place in life.  Next was a thought to give her all the money I had, perhaps even going to an ATM to max out my withdrawals.  Then came doubt – would the money even go to her or was this some gang-related scheme to prey on donors – was the child even hers?  Then guilt – even if she only saw a fraction of the money and some gang does take all her donations, isn’t that worth it, to give her a little?  And finally came despair.
God, where are you?  This woman, your daughter, sits inches away from your “house” and she is dying.  Literally, figuratively, spiritually, she is dying.  Where are your angels to protect her?  Where is your healing hand to touch her son?  Where is the church, your body, to feed your sheep?
And it was at that moment that I understood the desperation for Jesus to return.
We live in a dark, cynical world.  Outside the gated communities that we reside in, there is so much suffering in this world.  You don’t have to be a pessimist to believe that there is more pain than not in the world.  As a suburban, middle class church, this is a thought that’s “out of sight/out of mind” but nevertheless, the truth is the truth.  For the majority of this world, life is extremely hard. 
If this is all life is, if this is really all we have in this world, then yes, it’s depressing.  Just as random as some say religion is depending on where you’re born, then we’re supposed to accept that one’s chance at a somewhat happy well-adjusted life is also based on where you’re born?  In the words of the Princess Bride, inconceivable!
This Ash Wednesday we celebrate the beginning of the Lent Season which leads up to Easter, the greatest day in history.  Because of what happened on this day, we as the Church, the body of Christ, can say there is hope in Jesus Christ; there will be an end to the pain and awfulness of today.  We are not lying when we pick up a suffering child or victim, look them in the eye and say, “It will get better.”  Jesus is the reason we have hope.  For when he returns, all the tears, all the pain, all the heartache, suffering, shame, fear will be gone forever.  And it was this hope that I held onto as my prayer of despair became a prayer of desperation.  Jesus… please come back and save your people.  Please come back and set us free.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

From Pastor David’s Heart
March 2, 2014