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That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts.  Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead." Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)

Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, marked the beginning of Lent, 2014. Years ago, in my naivety, I used to think Lent was something that only our Catholic friends observed. As I've grown in my Faith walk, I've come to realize that the observation of Lent is for every believer an opportunity that can lead to spiritual renewal, and a deeper relationship with Christ.   This week I wanted to share some information on Lent.   The remainder of this opening article shares some of what I've found:

From http://www.davidlose.net/2012/02/what-are-lenten-devotions/

Lent is the 40-day period before Easter when Christians prepare to witness, celebrate, and participate in the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the early church, the forty days before Easter were devoted to study of the essential elements of Christian teaching so that the new converts could make informed and faithful confessions of faith on the day of their baptism. Later, Lent became a time of contemplation of Jesus' suffering and the significance of the Christian faith for daily life. Christians throughout the centuries have marked the season with prayer, study, and fasting (or, more recently, "giving something up for Lent") as a way both to identify with Jesus, who fasted in the wilderness for 40 days, and to focus on the importance of their faith.

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and runs to Maundy Thursday. If you're counting, you'll realize that there are more than 40 days between those two dates. That's because Sundays in Lent are not counted. Given that each Sunday celebrates the resurrection, the Church teaches that it's not appropriate to fast on Sundays.

The practice of daily devotions stems from Lent's emphasis on deepening one's faith through study and prayer. Lent offers the opportunity to take up a "discipline" or "spiritual practice" for 40 days, not as a way of meriting God's favor but because disciplined practice increases our appreciation and understanding of the faith. For generations, parents would read devotions during Lent and Advent at suppertime as a way of passing on the faith to their children, and individuals would read devotions to grow and deepen in their faith.

From www.thehighcalling.org/lent

Lent is:

• A six-week season in the Christian year prior to Easter. Officially, Lent comprises the 40 days before Easter, not counting the Sundays, or 46 days in total. The word "Lent" comes from the Middle English word for "spring" because of when it falls on the secular calendar. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (the day before Easter).
• A time for spiritual growth. In the ancient church, Lent was a season for new Christians to be instructed for baptism and for believers caught in sin to focus on repentance. In time, all Christians came to see Lent as a time to be reminded of their need for forgiveness and to prepare spiritually for Easter.
• A time to give something up, to add something new, or both. During Lent, many Christians choose to give up something they enjoy in order to focus more on God. This is called the Lenten fast. Others add a spiritual discipline (like a special Bible study or feeding the hungry at a food shelter). Of course, some folks choose to give something up and to add something new.
• A time of preparation. In Lent, we prepare for a deeper experience of God's grace through the cross. We also ready our hearts for a more jubilant celebration of the resurrection and its promise of new life.

Lent is not:

• A biblical requirement. Christians are free to observe it or not, as they feel led by the Spirit and according to the practices of their particular family and church.
• A way to earn more of God's love and grace. God already loves us more than we can imagine. His grace is given freely without regard to what we do. That's the definition of grace. So, we must not think of Lent as a time to earn what has already been given to us in abundance. Rather, it is an opportunity to open our hearts to receive more of God's grace, to grow in God's love for us, and to share his grace and love with others. Beyond being a time to give up something, Lent is a time to give more of ourselves to God in response to his giving of himself to us in Christ. 

Steve <>< 

REMEMBER TO SPRING AHEAD THIS SUNDAY

Daylight Savings Time Begins on 3/9/2014

Don't be late for Church

In Store or On Line

As you read this powerful booklet during the Lenten season, you will experience spiritual growth through interaction with Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments.

The readings culminate in the Passion Week and Easter Sunday, and you will gain a greater understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as you examine critical passion narratives in the Gospels. Through your interaction with these Lenten readings, you will be a joyful witness of God's carefully orchestrated plan to redeem the world through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

These 40 devotions will allow you to gain a more complete perspective on your personal relationship with Jesus and the power of his work in your life today. Each devotion provides thoughts for meditation along with a prayer for each day, making this the perfect devotional for personal, family or small-group use.

In Store or On Line

Have you ever wished you could have been in Jerusalem and seen Jesus? Seen his affect on people and listened to his words?

In The Sanctuary for Lent 2014, Sue Mink looks in on the encounters that others had with Jesus throughout his ministry. Some people were angered by him, some people were puzzled by him, and some people just dismissed him. But others saw him for who he truly was, and their entire perspective changed. They were transformed by their encounter with the living Lord.

The devotions, one for each of the forty days in Lent plus Sundays, include an inspiring message based on a Gospel reading, a suggested Scripture reading, a Bible verse, and a prayer. This Lenten season, allow The Sanctuary for Lent 2014 to transform you and lead you in a closer walk with Jesus Christ.

When ordering for a congregation, churches often secure copies for nursing homes residents, prisons, and other groups in need of encouragement. "The Sanctuary for Lent" is appreciated by those outside the congregation or who are unable to attend services. The small trim size, which fits in a #10 envelope, enables churches to include the booklet in their Lenten mailings.

In Store Special

Would knowing that your prayers will be answered change the way you pray?

In The Circle Maker, Pastor Mark Batterson shares powerful insights from the true legend of Honi the Circle Maker, a believer who prayed miracles would happen to the people of God---and then they fell from the heavens like rain.

Honi and Mark Batterson will help you bring your God-given dreams into being through bold, tenacious prayers that honor God and make the impossible come true.

 Book of the Month - Specially priced for you - only $5.00 !!!!!

In-Store Price.

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Marie 

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Marie Prickett
Logos Christian Bookstore